Length: 3.4 miles or 4+ miles with extension to Donald Reservoir
Time: 60-90 minutes
Difficulty: Easy, a little climb at the beginning
Dogs: Yes!! Great for dogs.
Calories: 500+
Elevation Gain: 563 feet
Best Season: Fall through Spring. A good option when other trails are muddy.
EMBUD Permit Required: No
Highlights: Outstanding views of Moraga Valley and Mt. Diablo and an excellent area for dogs. Dogs may be off-leash at the top (inside the gates and only on the paved area) as long as you have control.
Directions: From the Rheem Shopping Center, go South on Moraga Road and take a right on Donald Drive. From there you have two options: a) If Hacienda De Las Flores is open you can park and start from there, or b) continue until you see the next left turn (which is still Donald Dr.), take a left, and continue until the end and park.
Trailhead: From the Hacienda De Las Flores parking lot, follow trail signs for the Cindy Waxman Trail (see map below), leading up the hill behind the main building. Exit gate at the top of the trail, turn left on Donald Drive and continue until reaching the gate. Or if you drive to the gate on Donald Dr. you’ll be there.
Mulholland Ridge Loop – detailed map
Cindy Waxman Trail from Hacienda de las Flores Park
Mulholland Ridge is a 250-acre open space on the boundary of Orinda and Moraga that’s typically accessed near the Rheem Valley and the Rheem Shopping Center. The ridge has an old road bed (Donald Drive) that is closed and grown a bit wild.
This open space is fairly well known in Moraga, but somewhat undiscovered by those in Lafayette and Orinda. It is especially popular for walking dogs, but has incredible panoramic views for all to enjoy. Perfect on a sunny, clear day that’s not too windy and/or when other trails are too wet or muddy.
Once you go through the gate, you’ll be on the portion of Donald Drive that’s been closed to cars for a long time (anyone know?) and you can see how dirt and plants have reclaimed the sides. The trail is flanked by large, old Monterey pine trees on both sides, which must have been planted when the road was first put in.
Entrance gate on Donald Drive
You will also notice coast live oaks and lots of coyote bush. If you look up, you may see birds soaring above the open space – maybe white-tailed kites, red-tailed hawks, or American kestrals.
Climbing Mulholland Ridge Trail (with pine trees)
After you’ve climbed a little the trail will flatten out and you can begin to enjoy the amazing views in all directions, including of Mt. Diablo (see picture).
View of Mt. Diablo from junction with Goodfellow Trail
This hike is typically done as an out and back, but I like to turn it into a loop by incorporating the Goodfellow Trail and the adjacent neighborhood (see the map). When you see the first fire road branch off to the right, that is the Goodfellow Trail. If you start this way, stay left. You can do the loop in either direction.
Hiking on the Goodfellow Trail
Directly across from the Goodfellow Trail, the fire road continues through a cow grazing area out onto a ridge and to the Donald Reservor. This is a recommended extension as long as you’re comfortable with cows. If not, then skip it.
On Donald Drive at the very top, you’ll be walking adjacent to the Orinda Oaks Open Space (downhill to the South) and may notice the Ridge Trail going down the hill. There are some benches and tables to stop and enjoy the view, a snack, or even a picnic.
Donald Drive at the top
The Undiscovered Hikes of Lamorinda 
Another great write-up, and that Moraga Trails map is very informative. Thanks
Can’t wait to do this with my pooch! Thanks for all the great hike suggestions. 🙂
This is the time of year to hike this trail. So green, and the poppies are becoming to bloom.
Who has jurisdiction over the decommissioned part of the rd East bay mud or Orinda?
Hi Don, good question. I’m almost sure it’s not EBMUD land as it’s not a watershed that feeds into one of their reservoirs. From what I can tell, it appears that the Moraga portion is owned by Moraga and the Orinda portion owned by Orinda.