With 31 miles of trails, the Shell Ridge Open Space in Walnut Creek is full of possibilities for family hikes. The trails are well marked, and the views are beautiful. There is not a lot of shade here. Watch out for rattlesnakes in the late spring and summer! The hills change colors from winter (green) to summer (yellow), so the trails feel different all year round.
The ridge top at Shell Ridge is a beautiful spot to sit and take it all in. It’s an easy-moderate approximately 2.5 mile round trip hike to get to the top. We hike this as an out-and-back. We park on the neighborhood street near 1880 Rockspring Place, Walnut Creek. The trail head is on the north side of the road. Follow the path, and stay to the left at the first unmarked junction. When the trail dead ends, turn left on Briones to Mt Diablo Trail and follow the trail to the Ginder Gap Loop Trail. Do not turn left onto the Indian Creek Trail. Take the Ginder Gap Loop Trail up the hill. At the top of the hill there is a small bench, and a lot of trail choices. When you reach the top, take the Ridge Top Trail to the left (west) that has a more gradual incline rather than the steep Ridge Top Trail which is also to the left. Follow the trail until you reach the top. Explore the ridge and enjoy the view! When ready, head back down the way you came. Most of this trial is in full sun. Watch out for rattlesnakes in the late spring and summer! We have come across a few here.
For a longer hike with different scenery before the ridge, start at the dead end of Whitecliff Way in Walnut Creek. Do not go to the main trailhead located here. Instead, head to the Joaquin Ranch Trail on the west side of the court. Take the Joaquin Ranch Trail to Rockspring Place and cross the street to enter the main trailhead. Follow the path, and stay to the left at the first unmarked junction. When this trail dead ends, turn left on Briones to Mt Diablo Trail. Shortly thereafter, turn left onto the Indian Creek Trail, which is a pretty tree lined, mostly shaded trail. Turn right onto Fossil Hill Trail and then make another quick right onto the Briones-Mt. Diablo Trail. This is a wide open trail with no shade. Continue on Briones-Mt. Diablo and then up the hillside on the Grinder Gap Loop Trail. From here, take the Ridge Top Trail to the left (west) that has a more gradual incline rather than the steep Ridge Top Trail which is also to the left. Follow the trail until you reach the top. Return down the Ridge Top Trail. Rather than going back the way you came, hike down the Grinder Gap Trail on the east side. Continue south on the Briones-Mt. Diablo Trail, and turn right to return to the trailhead, cross Rockspring Place, and back to the car via Joaquin Ranch Trail.
Ridge Top to Costanoan Trail to Borges Ranch Lollipop
This is an easy-moderate 3.5 mile hike with beautiful views. The biggest hill you’ll climb takes you up approximately 514 feet on this trail. Park at the end of Rockspring Place in Walnut Creek (use 2073 Rockspring Place as a nearby address). Take the Sugarloaf Shell Ridge trail up the hill and make a right on the Briones-Mt. Diablo Trail. Turn left on to the Ridge Top Trail. Take the Ridge Top Trail until you can turn right onto the Costanoan Trail. The Costanoan Trail will take you to the Borges Ranch Trail, where you can stop by to check out the ranch and animals. Continue on the Borges Ranch Trail up to the Briones to Mt. Diablo Trail and turn right. Finish this loop by taking the Briones-Mt. Diablo Trail back to the Sugarloaf Shell Ridge Trail, where you turn left and head back down to your car. The kids enjoy this hike because there are always animals out at Borges Ranch!
Measureless Days 