There's a different type of feel at the Huckleberry Botanic Regional Preserve as compared to its nearby sibling, Redwood Regional Park. Sure, the preserve rules exclude dogs and bikes, so the number of people you are bound to encounter is less here than other parks nearby. But the differences go beyond that.
For one, you may not find a single Redwood on your hike. The soil and conditions here are different enough to harbor a very different set of plants, those more attuned to surviving on the poor water holding capacity of the soils here.
Hardy chaparral species predominate with several species of manzanita scattered throughout. Manzanitas, Huckleberries, Chinquapins and others vie for space in a constant pattern of renewal on patches of earth that were disturbed by fire or other events.
The Huckleberry Loop trail covert most of the preserve on this side of San Leandro Creek. It starts at the parking lot marked Trailhead. Be sure to pick up a trail map at the start since that includes an interpretive guide that can be used to help identify some of the plants in abundance here.
The loop goes in a clockwise manner and quickly descends in the direction of the creek. Though the trails here can be steep in some areas, they are generally not as straight and steep as at Redwood Regional Park. Switchbacks are present in a couple of places where changes in elevation are more abrupt.
On the "back end" of the trail the Huckleberry Path trail shares a segment with both the Skyline National Trail and the Bay Area Ridge Trail. Realize that dogs are allowed on these trails that transverse Huckleberry and many other parks in the area. Once the loop disconnects from these trails and turns back toward the trailhead dogs are once again not allowed.
The trail surface is mostly hard pack soil and generally follows the contour lines of the slopes. It's definitely single track and sometimes care must be taken when passing or letting hikers from the other direction by to ensure that someone doesn't go tumbling down the hill.
There are no Redwoods or other tall trees here. Despite this, there is usually ample shade. With as much shade as there is it's a bit surprising how many scenic views there are out east towards the rolling hills around Mount Diablo.
The trail loops right back to the parking area and consists of 1.7 miles if one doesn't go down any of the spurs towards alternate trailheads or nearby parks.