San Francisco - East Bay - Walnut Creek - Iron Horse Regional Trail North
18.2 mi 
Suitable for
Touring *
Fitness *
Beginner *
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Directions
From Interstate 680 just south of Walnut Creek, take the Rudgear Road exit and park at either the Park and Ride lot on the east side of the freeway or the gravel pad at the trailhead on the West side of the freeway .
Map: Pick up a free trail map at one of the trailside sign locations, or contact the East Bay Regional Parks District and ask for the Iron Horse Regional Trail brochure.
Map: Pick up a free trail map at one of the trailside sign locations, or contact the East Bay Regional Parks District and ask for the Iron Horse Regional Trail brochure.
Notes
The northern third of the Iron Horse passes through suburban Walnut Creek, Pleasant Hill and out into the wind swept marshes of Concord. Starting on a converted section of the Southern Pacific Railroad and ending on a levee trail, it serves skaters, hikers, and bicyclists. You can skate for many miles without leaving this trail system. It connects to the Contra Costa Canal trail system in Walnut Creek and when the planned northern extensions of the trail are complete in a couple of years it will eventually stretch all the way to the Suisun Bay in Martinez. The way this trip is described, it is downhill on the way out. So plan accordingly for your return trip.
The trail starts almost under the freeway at the northeast corner of Danville Blvd and Rudgear Road. In the first section, you'll mostly be skating downhill between a fence and a high brick wall close to the backs of a row of apartments. The trees here can leave the trail quite messy for skating, although their shade helps keep the temperature cool on hot summer days. At Newell Drive, cross to the east side of Broadway to continue along the creek behind some commercial buildings. Soon you will cross an old railroad bridge and confront the biggest challenge of this tour, the pedestrian bridge over Ygnacio Valley Road. The bridge has a fairly steep climb and descent, so be sure you have good speed control before attempting it. Shortly after the bridge there is another fast downhill section.
After a couple of intersections, you will see Walden Park on your left. This is a good spot for a break. Continuing north, you will come to the intersection with the Contra Costa Canal trail. See the links to related trails below.
Crossing Treat Road, you'll enter the Pleasant Hill BART Station parking lot. Follow the signs north through the lot and a short street section before finding the continuance of the trail.
When you reach Monument Blvd, cross at Mohr Lane. Then turn left and follow the sidewalk across the creek where you will find the trail continuing to your right. The trail now follows Walnut Creek past the Willows Shopping Center to an underpass of Concord Ave. (This underpass does flood after heavy winter rains. If it is closed, you can cross Concord Ave. one block to the east. ) Just after the underpass, the trail loops back to the left and crosses Walnut Creek on the new pedestrian bridge.
The view opens up for the rest of the trip, stretching across the creek and marshes to the nearby hills. You can often see egrets, herons and kites in this area. That's Buchanan Field, Concord's airport across the way. Too soon (well maybe not) the trail reaches it's northern end at Marsh Drive. Eventually, the trail will be extended north along Pacheco Slough to cross the new Benicia Bridge, but for now we will turn around to follow our route back to Rudgear Road.
The trail starts almost under the freeway at the northeast corner of Danville Blvd and Rudgear Road. In the first section, you'll mostly be skating downhill between a fence and a high brick wall close to the backs of a row of apartments. The trees here can leave the trail quite messy for skating, although their shade helps keep the temperature cool on hot summer days. At Newell Drive, cross to the east side of Broadway to continue along the creek behind some commercial buildings. Soon you will cross an old railroad bridge and confront the biggest challenge of this tour, the pedestrian bridge over Ygnacio Valley Road. The bridge has a fairly steep climb and descent, so be sure you have good speed control before attempting it. Shortly after the bridge there is another fast downhill section.
After a couple of intersections, you will see Walden Park on your left. This is a good spot for a break. Continuing north, you will come to the intersection with the Contra Costa Canal trail. See the links to related trails below.
Crossing Treat Road, you'll enter the Pleasant Hill BART Station parking lot. Follow the signs north through the lot and a short street section before finding the continuance of the trail.
When you reach Monument Blvd, cross at Mohr Lane. Then turn left and follow the sidewalk across the creek where you will find the trail continuing to your right. The trail now follows Walnut Creek past the Willows Shopping Center to an underpass of Concord Ave. (This underpass does flood after heavy winter rains. If it is closed, you can cross Concord Ave. one block to the east. ) Just after the underpass, the trail loops back to the left and crosses Walnut Creek on the new pedestrian bridge.
The view opens up for the rest of the trip, stretching across the creek and marshes to the nearby hills. You can often see egrets, herons and kites in this area. That's Buchanan Field, Concord's airport across the way. Too soon (well maybe not) the trail reaches it's northern end at Marsh Drive. Eventually, the trail will be extended north along Pacheco Slough to cross the new Benicia Bridge, but for now we will turn around to follow our route back to Rudgear Road.
Links
- East Bay Regional Parks - Trail information and maps.
- Iron Horse Trail Map - North - 811KB
Related Tours
| Last Skated
Mar 7, 2004
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Updated
Apr 7, 2004
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