A Guide To Sibley Volcanic Regional Preserve

All About Sibley Volcanic Regional Preserve

    Sibley Volcanic Regional Preserve is located in Oakland, California. Sibley offers over 30 miles of trails for hikers to explore the area's natural beauty. Sibley has a wide range of habitats that provide homes for many animals including coyotes, deer, and owls. Sibley also contains two rare volcanic features: lava tubes and a cinder cone. Sibley was also home to the now-extinct Sibley Volcanic Mine which mined rhyolite for construction materials from 1873-1909. Today, Sibley is managed by East Bay Regional Park District as part of the regional park system that provides outdoor activities such as hiking, mountain biking, trail running, bird watching, and dog walking.

Activities

Hiking Trails

• East Bay Skyline Regional Trail

East Bay Skyline Regional Trail is a 31-mile long (50 km) ridgeline that traverses through two pristine regional parks - Wildcat Canyon Regional Park and Anthony Chabot Regional Park.

• Round Top Road Trail

Round Top Road Trail is a 12-mile (19km) trail that takes you through Sibley Volcanic Regional Preserve. This trail begins at the Caldecott Tunnel and ends near Sibley Memorial Hospital in Oakland, California. The trails offer views of Mount Diablo to the north, San Leandro Bay to the west, and the Sutter Buttes to the east.

• Round Top Loop Trail

Round Top Loop Trail is a round trip trail that features panoramic views of Sibley Volcanic Regional Preserve. Round Top Loop consists of two trails: Old Mine and New Housekeeper Trails.    

• Volcanic Trail

Volcanic Trail is a 0.75-mile (0.92km) trail that contains volcanic rock features such as cinder cones and lava flows.

• Quarry Trail 

Quarry Trail is a 0.75-mile (0.92km) trail that passes through Sibley's middle volcanic trail to a point lower down on Quarry Road

• Pond Trail

Pond trail is a short loop trail around Sibley Lake. This area is a great place for birdwatching and hiking.

Labyrinths

At least two man-made labyrinths exist within Sibley Volcanic Regional Preserve. One is the Mazzariello Labyrinth is a popular hiking spot in East Bay that has been visited by people for centuries. Constructed over 25 years ago, it's named after Helena who donated her land to the world so others could come to pray or meditate on what they find inside its center symbolized by an ancient talisman left behind from past travelers visits.

The next marker on the round top loop trail leads to a Volcanic Trail, which crosses over to your left. You can see this smaller heart-shaped labyrinth that isn't nearly as elaborate or heavily used as Mazzariello's was but it does exist. Friends of Labyrinth analyzed high-definition photos and found no trace evidence for these other labyrinths said by people who live here in town.

How To Get There

To visit the park, you can come from Oakland and enter on Skyline Boulevard or by Contra Costa County to Old Tunnel Road. The visitor center for this beautiful natural landmark is not manned but instead features displays that illustrate its geological wonders as well as a brochure that allows visitors complete freedom in exploring them all on their own.

We hope you enjoyed reading about Sibley Volcanic Regional Preserve. If you are looking for a place to hike in the East Bay, this is it. Whether your goal is simply to get outside and enjoy nature or you're a hiker who likes challenging trails with breathtaking views, this preserve has something for everyone. The beautiful location of the park alone makes it worth visiting, but we also offer plenty of hiking trails that vary in length and difficulty level so there's something perfect for every skill set and fitness ability. Visit us today.

Oakland, California is blessed with some of the area’s most interesting attractions. Here’s a list of some of our favorites you don’t want to miss:

• Oakland Museum of California

• Piedmont Park

• Temescal Regional Recreation Area South Gate Staging Area

• Lowell Park

• Children's Fairyland

• Snow Park

• Dimond Park

• Point Emery 

All of these wonderful attractions are located just a short distance from our historic location at 4226 Piedmont Avenue in Oakland! Stop by for a visit anytime!