Mount Diablo State Park: The Grand Loop

View of Highland Ridge and Mount Diablo State Park from the Grand Loop
View of Highland Ridge from the Devil’s Elbow Trail, Mount Diablo State Park. Photo by Scott Hein

Distance: 6.3 miles

Elevation gain: 1,794 feet

Difficulty: Moderate to strenuous

Hiking time: Three to six hours

Trail surface: Unpaved trails, fire roads, paved

An image of the trail route overlaid onto a map of MDSP.

The Grand Loop on Mount Diablo

Best season: Winter, spring, or fall

Hours: 8 AM to sunset

Managing agency: California State Parks

Trailhead location: Juniper Campground parking lot

If winter storms have you feeling cabin fever, but you don’t want to walk or run around on some muddy trail, the higher parts of Mount Diablo State Park may be a haven.

Thank its well-draining geology above the foothills, which lack much of that clay and dirt, and instead feature more rocky soil that shouldn’t cling like cake batter to your boots or shoes.

If you’re also looking for a good workout with even better views, the “Grand Loop,” at 6.2 miles, might be the hike you’ve been seeking.

On a clear day, you can see some amazing 360-degree scenery.

The Devil's Pulpit on Mount Diablo flanked by clouds and a setting sun below.

The Devil’s Pulpit on Mount Diablo. Photo by Floyd McCluhan

This route starts at the parking lot for the popular Juniper Campground near the Mount Diablo Summit. Getting there will be a short journey toward the top no matter the entrance.

Once you’ve arrived, head northwest to begin on the route past the Juniper Campground down to Deer Flat along the road that bears its name.

This section is a good way downhill and features switchbacks surrounded by dense chaparral, woodland, and the plethora of critters living there.

In the springtime, you might see lots of beautiful wildflowers.

Three pink Red ribbons clarkia (<em>Clarkia concinna</em>) on Devil's Elbow Trail, Mount Diablo State Park

Red ribbons clarkia (Clarkia concinna), Devil’s Elbow Trail, Mount Diablo State Park, California. Photo by Scott Hein

Stay to the right and Deer Flat Road will turn into Meridian Ridge Road, and as you continue onward, you’ll see Bald Ridge opening up above and to your right.

The marker for the Bald Ridge Trail can be difficult to spot, but as you crest the hill and a view opens to your north, you’ll head up the single-track trail to the right.

The route through here can be difficult to follow in some areas, so be well-prepared with GPS, maps, or both for this entirely uphill section.

Once you’ve reached Prospector’s Gap, you’ll be faced with a number of roads to venture on, but you’ll instead bear right onto the North Peak Trail toward the lower parts of Devil’s Pulpit below the summit.

The Mount Diablo Summit Museum and Devils' Pulpit from the Devil's Elbow Trail cover in verdant green foliage. Photo by Scott Hein.

The Mount Diablo Summit Visitor’s Center and Devil’s Pulpit from the Devil’s Elbow Trail. Photo by Scott Hein

Just before you hit the Devil’s Elbow, it’s best to continue towards the summit on the Summit Trail before dropping back down to the lower summit parking lot.

From there you’ll head west until you get to the Juniper Trail, which will take you all the way back to the Juniper parking lot.

For more information, check out Audible Mount Diablo’s trail guide to the Grand Loop.

We hope you enjoy this hike! Please check out our new sixth edition of our regional trail map to find more great places to hike close to home.

Partly cloudy blue skies over golden hills and the chaparral slopes of Mount Diablo

Prospectors Gap and North Peak, Mount Diablo State Park. Photo by Scott Hein

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