Best hikes at Sunol Regional Wilderness

Overview: Sunol Regional Wilderness is tucked into the Diablo Range just a few miles from the massive sprawl of the San Francisco Bay Area.

It's one of the best places in the region to scout for wildlife - deer, coyotes, bobcats and the rare mountain lion -- and the birdwatching is excellent (I've seen many raptors spar in the skies above Sunol).

This bundle compiles everything I like about Sunol:

* Sunol park overview -- describes the main attractions.

* Flag Hill - Short, steep hike to great vistas.

* Eagle View - Longer, harder hike to high ridge overlooking the park.

* Little Yosemite and W Tree scramble -- excellent scenery and challenging terrain.

* Mission Peak -- My favorite approach to the popular peak.

Tips: Trails can be quite steep, which can be as hard on knees on the way down as they are on the rest of you on the way up.

Cattle are common. Generally they are harmless but keep your distance and don't scare them. Also: watch for their poop.

Driving directions: From I-680, turn off at Calaveras Road exit and turn southeast on Calaveras Road (a left turn if you're coming from Pleasanton; a right turn if you're coming from Fremont). Take Calaveras for about four miles to Geary Road, turn left and go 1.8 miles to the park entrance.