When you want to get deep in the wild backcountry of the East Bay hills without breaking a sweat, try a guided horseback trip with Western Trail Riding Services. Based in Sunol Regional Park (home to nearly 7,000 acres of open space) Western Trail Riding offers a range of options, from 4-hour explorations to their most popular trip, the 1-hour jaunt paralleling Alameda Creek up to Little Yosemite Valley (yes, Virginia, there is a Little Yosemite Valley in Sunol). Smell fresh bay leaves and admire golden sycamores as your group meanders up a wide fire road. Gary and Cindy Wilkinson are Western Trail's fearless and friendly leaders, with 18 horses in their mix; six of these are rescue horses, including the well-behaved Copper, gentle Lacy, and the old-soul, Spirit. Easy riders.
Western Trail Riding Services (925-862-9044) is open year-round and leads trips seven days a week. Trips range from $30 to $160 per person. Group sizes are always kept small, with never more than eight total. All groups accommodate a range of riders, from beginner to advanced.