Touring * Fitness * Beginner * Speed * Artistic *

From Interstate 580 just east of the 580/680 interchange in Dublin, exit at Hopyard heading north. Turn right on Dublin Blvd. (first intersection). The BART station parking lot is 0.5 east of this exit. The trail starts in the parking lot but the lot is restricted to BART riders, so park nearby and join the trail where it crosses Dublin Blvd. at Scarlett, just to the west of the lot.

A new alternate trailhead opened recently in Dublin. After exiting 580, turn left on Dublin Blvd and go about 0.5 miles to Civic Plaza where you turn left again. Park near the library. The trail starts behind the library and joins the main trail about 0.75 miles north.

You can, of course, ride BART to the Dublin/Pleasanton station. Exit the station to the left (northwest). Follow the sidewalk past the bus loading area where it merges onto the trail.

From here, you can skate north non-stop to Concord or Martinez!

The Iron Horse Trail and its connecting Contra Costa Canal Trail form one of the longest continuous paved trails in the state. The south section of the Iron Horse Trail is a great workout skate, especially in the spring when the weather is still cool and the wildflowers are putting on a show, or in the golden glow of a late fall afternoon. There's little water and almost no shade along this stretch of the extensive trail, so if you come in midsummer, plan to skate during the early or late hours to avoid the midday heat. It can also be windy in the late afternoon.

Starting in the BART Station lot, skate the short stretch north to Dublin Blvd. The trail continues directly across the street, but the crosswalk to get there is a short skate west. Shortly after crossing Dougherty, the trail makes a sharp turn to the south, crosses Alamo Canal and heads back to the north. This is where the spur from the alternate trailhead joins the trail. From here, the trail is straight, with no hills and just a few low-traffic intersections until you hit Bollinger Canyon Road. After the Bollinger crossing, the trail is paved with wide concrete slabs as it passes behind the Bishop Ranch office park. An easy-to-reach diversion from this intersection is just to the right at San Ramon Central Park. There you'll find a skate park, lawns, and lots of concrete in mint condition, as well as drinking fountains and rest rooms.

For the next two miles, several intersections interrupt the path. Just beyond Sycamore Valley Road, the trail turns northwest to cross under the freeway and then hits downtown Danville. Crossing San Ramon Valley Boulevard, the trail passes behind the appropriately named Iron Horse Plaza which includes Peet's Coffee and Lunardi's market with its extensive deli and trailside picnic tables. Just before crossing Prospect you'll see the Museum of the San Ramon Valley on your right, with interesting local history and train exhibits. There are restrooms in the caboose. Across Prospect is a staging area with a drinking fountain and benches. Our trip returns from here.

This is a convenient starting place if you want to skate the route in reverse, and you can also continue up the central section of the trail here. BART riders may wish to skate north to the Pleasant Hill BART station and catch the train back to Dublin (but you must return via Oakland where you make two train changes). See the Iron Horse Regional Trail North for more details.

• East Bay Regional Parks - Trail information and maps.
• Iron Horse News - Dan's irregular update on what's happening on the Iron Horse Trail
• Iron Horse Trail Map - South - 419KB

• Iron Horse Regional Trail Central