Cheap Thrills: Climbing the Secret Staircases of Berkeley

Rick-racking their way up the hills like an old-fashioned game of Chutes and Ladders, the secret staircases of Berkeley are a delightful, and surprisingly undiscovered, hidden treasure.

Tucked away inconspicuously alongside private homes, the steep staircases cut narrow swaths up the flank of the hillside, offering some of the best — and most brutal — urban hiking in the Bay Area.

You can pick up a path almost anywhere but a quick visit to The Berkeley Path Wanderers Association website (just hit the paths button and then path locations) will show you exactly where they are located and where they link up, block to block.

So, put on a pair of comfy shoes, bring some water, and start huffing up a flight or two. The views — and the climb — are breathtaking.