Northern California - Easiest Route up Oakland/Berkeley Hills?

I know there are probably lots of ways to get up in the hills here around Berkeley & Oakland.

Which is the least steep route though? I am only now getting in good enough shape to do these. Plus I have rehabbed from a knee injury only recently so less steep route would be best for my joints.

I understand a less steep route usually means longer distance, but that's fine.

Long and gradual is Tunnel Road.

I agree with Tunnel. There are easier ways to get halfway up (such as Euclid) but it seems that to get to the ridge, almost every way includes a section that is on the harder side. It really depends where you are trying to go. The nice thing about Tunnel is you can go up it (not the best to go down) and then continue to gradually climb over to Claremont, which is a great downhill run (but perhaps the second hardest way to go up -- the first being a ride that includes Marin).

The good thing is that most of the area hills have only short steep sections, so after a couple of weeks building up your knee back up on Tunnel, you should be able to conquer anything in the area aside from the likes of Claremont, Marin, the top of Ridgecrest, and S. Park Drive (these have sustained, steep sections that can wrench the knees of even the fittest if they are not watching their technique). While it can be hard to string a long ride together in Berkeley Hills, the variety of routes means that there is a lot to explore at most fitness levels.

Tunnel Road is probably the least steep. Next is Spurce Street, although it's steeper than Tunnel. Everything else is a little too, well, much for this Clydesdale.

I agree with Tunnel. There are easier ways to get halfway up (such as Euclid) but it seems that to get to the ridge, almost every way includes a section that is on the harder side. It really depends where you are trying to go. The nice thing about Tunnel is you can go up it (not the best to go down) and then continue to gradually climb over to Claremont, which is a great downhill run (but perhaps the second hardest way to go up -- the first being a ride that includes Marin).

The good thing is that most of the area hills have only short steep sections, so after a couple of weeks building up your knee back up on Tunnel, you should be able to conquer anything in the area aside from the likes of Claremont, Marin, the top of Ridgecrest, and S. Park Drive (these have sustained, steep sections that can wrench the knees of even the fittest if they are not watching their technique). While it can be hard to string a long ride together in Berkeley Hills, the variety of routes means that there is a lot to explore at most fitness levels.

There are plenty of climbs around the ridge, but depending upon how far you want to go, I'd also pinpoint the great descents and return climbs from the other side too - make your way through scenic Tilden down Wildcat (a reasonable climb back to the ridge, not too steep but scenic and shaded), then you have the 3 bears loop at your disposal. Also turning South from tunnel, you can hook up with the Redwood/Pinehurst loop, which is a little steeper than tunnel in places, but one of the most restful, and beautiful rides you can take through the Redwoods of Canyon. That's where I go when I need alone time and to cleanse my head of weekly stress. You can link the two routes through the not pretty but utilitarian false flat of Moraga way, linking Moraga and Orinda.

Rumours are starting of an East Bay Hills ride in the next couple of months - perhaps you should sign up?

Very cool to get all these tips and responses.

Thanks :thumb: