TrailLink :: Iron Horse Regional Trail

Iron Horse Regional Trail:
California

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Description:

The area surrounding the Iron Horse Regional Trail has an important history as part of the San Ramon Valley's agricultural and ranching past. Today, the Iron Horse Trail connects two counties and twelve cities, and runs through quiet residential neighborhoods, lively business and commercial districts, and shady greenbelts. This popular and extensively utilized trail roughly follows Interstate 680, beginning in the city of Concord on its northern end, and passing through Pleasant Hill, Walnut Creek, Alamo, Danville, San Ramon and Dublin before ending at the Dublin/Pleasanton BART station. Plans call for the trail to be extended on the north end to Suisun Bay in Martinez, and on the south end to Stanley Boulevard in Pleasanton, where an existing bike trail leads west to Livermore. This southern extension is well underway, with a 1-mile section midway between the BART station and Stanley Boulevard dedicated in March 2008. At the northern end, the trail begins just south of Highway 4, near the northeast corner of Buchanan Airfield in Concord. The trail nears the Pleasant Hill BART station at about mile 5. A rest stop across the street from the BART parking lot features picnic tables, a drinking fountain and benches. The northernmost part of the trail, as well as the proposed area around Suisun Bay, follows a marshy area, which is a haven for ducks and geese. Continuing south, the area becomes increasingly more urban, as the trail passes nearby downtown Walnut Creek. (The Walnut Creek BART station is about a half mile off the trail). A bike overpass bridge spans Ignacio Avenue in a congested section of Walnut Creek. South of Walnut Creek the trail passes under I-680 at Rudgear Road to the west side of the freeway. A staging area here features parking, a drinking fountain, benches and tables. From this point the trail meanders through residential areas, where the presence of many "doggy bag stations" testifies to the popularity of the trail among local residents. The trail crosses residential streets numerous times, typically in low traffic areas, and offers easy access to restaurants and shopping. Much of the trail in this section includes a dirt running path adjacent to the asphalt bike trail. In Danville, the trail passes directly behind the commercial downtown area. Nearby at the corner of Railroad and Prospect Avenues is the old Southern Pacific Depot, which is the only original depot remaining on the line. Just past the depot is a pleasant area featuring restaurants with outdoor seating overlooking the trail. Picking up the trail again, you cross under I-680 to the east side and traverse Bishop Ranch Business Park, a commercial section that parallels the trail for about 2 miles. Next you reach the San Ramon Golf Club. The trail bisects the golf course, with chain-link fencing providing protection from errant golf balls. As the trail slices through Dublin, the environment is urban once more. The southern endpoint is at the BART parking lot on the Dublin side of the Dublin/Pleasanton BART station.

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Parking & Trail Access:

To reach the northern trailhead, exit Highway 4 westbound at Arnold Industrial Way. Turn left onto Arnold Industrial Place and left again on Solano Way. Follow Solano Way as it crosses under Highway 4. Turn right onto Marsh Drive. The signed trailhead is on your left. Street parking is very limited. To reach the southern trailhead, exit Interstate 580 at Hopyard Road. Turn right on Hopyard Road and proceed for 0.3 mile. Turn right on Dublin Boulevard and go 0.5 mile. Turn right on Demarcus Boulevard, which leads to the Dublin/Pleasanton BART station. The signed trailhead is at the north end of the parking lot.

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Seasonal Restrictions:

This paved route is accessible year-round.

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Reviews:

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Iron Horse

By Henry Jordan on October 30, 2007

"I have ridden this entire trail more than once and frequently ride parts of it. All in all, it's a great resource, but it can be clogged with pedestrians, dog walkers who refuse to keep their dogs close, baby strollers, and more, on nice days. There are also numerous road crossings where you really need to look out for soccer moms driving Himalaya class SUVs (especially in Danville) to avoid being run over.

All this being said, it's still a great place for a ride. I've used it to commute from San Ramon to Walnut Creek often, and it's convenient, well-maintained (in most spots), and a wonderful asset for cyclists, walkers, etc.

You just can't really get up to speed and stay there because of the foot traffic and crazy drivers at crossings."

Southern Portion along I 680

By Bill <>< on July 30, 2005

"I ride this every time I'm in the Walnut Creek area. Coupled with the Lafayette / Maraga and Contra Costa Canel trails this trail is part of a wonderful system. I usually ride the portion from Rudgear Road trailhead to San Ramon and back. Gradual up grade going south with lots of shade, shops and stop signs. Very, very busy trail on weekends. I 680 is hardly noticed except when the trail goes under it. I've ridden the other portion of the Iron Hose but prefer this."

Contra Costa / Ygnacio Canel Section

By Bill <>< on July 30, 2005

"I ride this western section every time I'm in the Walnut Creek area. The West portion of Contra Costa Canel section is an off-shoot and is interesting in the view of the Walnut Creek area from the base of Mt Diablo where the trail loops back toward town. Unfortunately, the trail is difficult to follow through the Heather Farms area - not enough signs. Fun ride."

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Trail Facts

Trail End Points: Near Buchanan Airfield (Concord) to Dublin/Pleasanton BART station (Dublin)
Counties: Alameda, Contra Costa
Trail Length: 24.5 miles
Trail Category: Rail-Trail
Trail Surfaces: Asphalt
Trail Activities: Walk, Bicycle, Inline Skates, Mountain Bicycle, Wheelchair