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: [1 trail ratings]
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Great trail for commuting and recreation
By dhusch on March 17, 2010
This trail goes through mostly suburban areas. On a weekend there are lots of bikers, joggers, dog walkers, and kids. This trail passes by lots of residential areas so its well used. North of Pleasant Hill the trail follows a wide creek. In March, there was flowing water with wild flowers, geese and ducks. Through the City of Walnut Creek, the trail passes along the creek, which here is in a giant box culvert. In Alamo and Danville the trail passes behind big homes with a mature Oak Tree canopy. Further south in San Ramon and Dubin the trail follows another creek. San Ramon is home to the 2000 acre office parks. There are also some recreation fields and some houses/appartments as well. The trail is adjacent to two BART stations, and somewhat close to three more. If you live near BART, you can have a car-less day on the trail. If you want to ride it one way start at pleasant hill station, 4 miles from the north end; and finish at Dublin station in the south. North Concord station is about 1.5 miles from the north end. I suggest checking the weather first and riding the same direction as the wind, usually from North to South.
Be sure to get the trail map from East Bay Parks (EBRPD). It is available free at some of the trail kiosks, or search the internet for "EBRPD Iron Horse Trail".
There are two places where I missed the turn. Northbound at Monument blvd in concord, be sure to turn left (west) and cross the creek. There is a gravel path that continues straight, but this is not the trail. the Iron Horse trail is 100% paved, so if you are on a gravel road, you made a wrong turn.
Southbound at Rudgear Road in Walnut Creek, after crossing under I-680, turn right (north) on Danville Blvd for 0.1 miles. I turned left because i was going south and thats South. But its 1 mile until there is a way to get back on the trail.
There is a trail overpass under construction (march 2010) across 11 lane Treat Blvd in Pleasant Hill. This matches an existing overpass across 9 lane Ygnacio Valley Rd in Walnut Creek. Yes this is suburbia, and there are lots of cars. Its nice to see the city and county investing serious money in the trail experience.
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."
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