This is a destination hike! I find so many people on this very trail who are searching for the labyrinth. It's like a secret treasure trove and one of our most favorite East Bay locations.
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Featured Spot: Lime Ridge Labyrinth
Reason Why: Labyrinths are cool
Cost: None
Stroller Friendly: This particular path is Bob friendly, but mud can make it a little tricky sometimes. Other paths and if you continue walking beyond the labyrinth are a little tricky to navigate with rocky protrusions from the ground
Warnings: Rattlesnakes and other snakes hang near rocks, please be mindful
Ideal Time: Stick to Fall and Winter to avoid rattlers
Dogs: Not on this trail. Furry friends are welcome on the other side of Lime Ridge.
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When I found this place the first time, I remember being amazed. My buddy and I had happened upon it when we were out hiking after school one day. The entire journey back, I remember joking about crop circles and how alien's were the only possible explanation for how such a massive labyrinth was created.
I was thrilled when I was able to locate the labyrinth after 15 years or so since those talks of crop circles. I watched as my daughters ran through laughing and looking at rocks uncovering "treasures" that lurked between rocks like little love letters that were left behind. This place, this beautiful place, seems to be filled with hope, with artistry and perhaps a touch of magic.
How to get there however, is a little tricky unless you've happened upon it once before. Start at the Lime Ridge parking lot on Cowell Rd & Ygnacio Valley Road in Concord. It is directly in front of Montecito.
From here, you'll go through the gate and find yourself on the Ohlone trail. There is a small trail that splits to the left immediately. Do not take this trail. It does go up and will eventually meet the same path, but for the sake of visiting the labyrinth, just go through the gate and keep walking. Not too far into this trail, you'll hit another split at a rather large bush. Keep to the right and head up the hill.
When you reach the top of the hill, take a breather and look around. If you time this right on your way back, there's a moment when the sun starts to set and all of the surrounding golden hills fill with pink light. It only lasts for a few moments, but I'll typically sit there and wait for it if we're close enough to that time. We also use that spot as a painting place regularly, just to paint feelings or scenery, it's a good place to just breathe.
As you push forward on the trail, you'll come to a few other places where you can turn off that trail, but keep pushing forward. You'll see a large rock on your left pretty quickly, then you'll start to see some sandy soil under a large tree where your path will split to the left, again, keep straight. Once past that tree, there's a bend that almost always is full of sticky mud and then you'll see the "mountain lion's cave" on your left (this isn't actually a mountain lion's cave to my knowledge, but my kids love the thrill of thinking it is. Next up is a glorious canyon of rocks and sheer awesomeness. So many people have come and left their mark here with designs left in rock form. It's pretty neat. My kids will sit there for hours. Hours. Just playing with rocks and investigating how tall they can build a tower or "What happens if..." it's a little gem before the highly coveted labyrinth.
Finally, after the "rock canyon" you'll see a tiny trail split off to the left. There is a small incline on this little path. Keep walking it and you'll start to see the labyrinth to your left. There is so much to explore in this space.
It is beautiful here. Take time to enjoy the artistry of this place, encourage your children to walk the labyrinth and visualize goals, encourage them to be present and when you're ready head back the same way you came in.
The journey there and back is roughly 2.5 miles, but if you have children like mine, and you travel up and down all the hills, you can hit 3 miles pretty easily.
