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300-foot-high cliffs are in a dramatic canyon a short distance north of the lake. These can be seen from around the Tri-Valley, but the best views are from a narrow, steep trail which branches off from the main one about half a mile from the Arroyo Staging Area and goes up the canyon to some dramatic views of the cliff. There is also an unofficial trail up the cliff, but it is extremely difficult and dangerous to climb.
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Although no Del Valle Regional Park trails lead to these cliffs, you can see them if you hike along the northern part of the Eastern Shore Trail. They are smaller and less dramatic than the Major Cliffs but are still an interesting sight.
This hiking route begins at the northern Arroyo entrance to the park and follows the same trail as the one that leads to Swallow Bay - except that it begins at the northern end of the Del Valle Park. From this entrance/staging area, the trail divides in two and crosses an orchard. The trails then come back together and cross the main Arroyo del Valle Creek. After the creek is a gate before the trail begins to ascend the ridge. A small trail branches off to the left and leads to views of the Arroyo del Valle Cliffs, while the main trail more directly ascends the ridge. At the top of the ridge, there are two scenic vistas - behind you is the trail you just took and the Tri-Valley, and in front is Lake del Valle and Ohlone Regional Wilderness. Farther along the ridgetop section of the trail is an oak tree where you can sit at a bench and view the lake. The only downside to this hike is that, from the first part of the route, the dam is clearly in view. The trail (from the staging area to the ridgetop) is about a mile in length; however, the trail continues for several miles past the ridgetop toward the southern section of the park.
The northern end of Lake Del Valle, some of which is known as Heron Bay, is the widest and most impressive part of the lake. Heron Bay is more than half a mile wide and half a mile long and is a popular destination on boat tours and other boat excursions. Part of the East Shore Trail goes around Heron Bay, and viewing this bay is one of the most scenic views in Del Valle Regional Park.
A short trail connects the Veterans Memorial Park (and adjacent Sycamore Grove Park) with Del Valle Regional Park. It follows Arroyo del Valle and passes the Taylor Foundation campsite before crossing Arroyo Road to enter Del Valle Regional Park from the north.
This bay marks the central section of Lake Del Valle. A creek flows into the northern part of the bay and a peninsula cuts into the bay's southern end. Although Swallow Bay seems to be closer to the northern end of Lake Del Valle when it is viewed on a map, the bay is best accessed from the southeastern Del Valle staging area.