Touring * Fitness * Slalom * Artistic *

Heading south on Interstate 680 after crossing the Benicia-Martinez Bridge, exit onto Highway 4 East. Approaching from the south on Interstate 680 in Pleasant Hill, take the Highway 242 exit toward Concord and Pittsburg, and follow it northeast and then east as it merges onto Highway 4 after 2.5 miles. Follow Highway 4 approximately 10 miles to Antioch. Take the Hillcrest Avenue exit and follow Hillcrest south about 1.25 miles until you see Wild Horse Road on the left. It's marked by a sculpture of wild horses on the hillside, but watch for the 7-11 store and you can't go wrong. Before turning onto Wild Horse, look to the right from the stoplight and you will see the trail entrance. Park in Hillcrest Plaza near the convenience store.

Map: To order the Bicycle Transportation Map of the East Bay (Map 2, East of the Hills), send $1 to: East Bay Bicycle Coalition, P.O. Box 1736, Oakland, CA 94604 (no phone orders).

The Delta de Anza Regional Trail is truly an excellent find. It's just far enough away from the heavily populated areas near the San Francisco Bay to be pretty much unknown. Until 1995, "Rough Pavement" signs posted at the trail entrances kept most people away. But a repaving project completed in the summer of 1995 has turned this section of the ubiquitous Contra Costa Canal into a prime spring destination skate. What's more, a proposed extension to the east is shown on the East Bay Bicycle Coalition's maps. This would extend the canal trail 1.3 miles east over a ridge to connect with the 2.25 miles of paved trail in Oakley (of which only one mile is currently open to the public). In short, there's a lot of potential here.

If you plan to skate this full 10.5-mile round-trip in the summer, make sure to carry something to drink, because these hills heat up, and the only water fountain is at Antioch Community Park three miles up the trail.

Start skating on the west side of Hillcrest Avenue, on an eight-foot-wide asphalt trail that flows down a gentle hill next to the canal on your left. The landscaping along Hillcrest is extensive, so even in the hot season, there's green scenery, if not shade. A couple of intersections lead off to residential areas up the hill on your left, but cross traffic is light. Leaving Hillcrest, the canal and trail climb up a low ridge and curve to the west. At press time, the trail dumped out onto a sidewalk on Wildflower Drive. Follow the sidewalk west to the stoplight at Deer Valley Road, cross Deer Valley, and turn south on the sidewalk until you regain the canal trail a block away.

The Contra Costa Canal now stretches out to the west, bisecting a pretty valley bordered by low hills (with homes on them--you can't have everything). Mount Diablo dominates the view ahead. The new asphalt sections are on again-off again from this point. The older sections of paving aren't rough, but remaining tar patches can be slick or grabby. A couple of streets cross the canal on bridges that make short but fun hills on the trail. At Lone Tree Way, stop and check the trailside kiosk for free brochures on the Contra Costa Canal Trail. Beyond the busy crosswalk at Lone Tree, the canal side is free of urban scenery for half a mile, until it rounds a corner to meet James Donlon Boulevard. Cross the boulevard and skate another half mile to the entrance of Antioch Community Park on your left. The sidewalks in the park are pebbled, which makes skating less fun, but it's a nice spot to get water and take a break.

When you're refreshed, continue on your westward trek along the newest asphalt of the Delta de Anza Regional Trail as it weaves along the valley behind two more Antioch neighborhoods. The trail terminates at Somersville Road, so turn around here and skate back the way you came.

• EBRPD Delta de Anza Page - Trail Description and Map

• Marsh Creek Trail