San Francisco - East Bay - Walnut Creek - Iron Horse Regional Trail Central
11 mi 
Suitable for
Touring *
Fitness *
Artistic *
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Directions
From Interstate 680 just south of Walnut Creek, take the Rudgear Road exit. The trailhead and small parking lot are on the west side of the freeway on Danville Blvd just north of Rudgear. If the lot is full, you can park on the street or at the Park and Ride lot on the east side of the freeway.
Map
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Notes
The Iron Horse Trail is a lovely spot to be in the spring when the foothills are green and the wildflowers are abloom in shades of gold and lavender. Once an important part of the San Ramon Valley's farming and ranching community, today this converted section of the Southern Pacific Railroad serves skaters, hikers, equestrians, and bicyclists. You can skate for miles without leaving the 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.
From the Park and Ride lot on the south side of Rudgear Road, you can go north (see Iron Horse Regional Trail North link below), but on this trip we'll be taking the more pleasant journey heading south. If you park at the Park and Ride, go west on Rudgear, skating under the freeway and taking the crosswalk across Danville Boulevard. You'll leave the sounds of traffic behind as the trail curves south toward downtown Danville. The fine asphalt path with a gentle slope runs along the edge of the valley's western hills, passing some open meadows and even corralled ponies in backyards. Though the trail is well maintained and clean, at times you may find yourself skating across soft pine needles; most of the trail is cooled by the shade of the tall trees.
Closer to Danville, the trail crosses several not-too-busy streets, but the interruptions can be annoying, since for safety's sake you really do need to slow or stop to check for oncoming cars. Our route ends at Prospect Street in the small, friendly town of Danville, where there is a rest area and water. Across the street is the Museum of the San Ramon Valley in an old railway station. There is parking here if you wish to do this trip in the reverse direction.
For more skating, continue south. This route is covered in Iron Horse Regional Trail South.
From the Park and Ride lot on the south side of Rudgear Road, you can go north (see Iron Horse Regional Trail North link below), but on this trip we'll be taking the more pleasant journey heading south. If you park at the Park and Ride, go west on Rudgear, skating under the freeway and taking the crosswalk across Danville Boulevard. You'll leave the sounds of traffic behind as the trail curves south toward downtown Danville. The fine asphalt path with a gentle slope runs along the edge of the valley's western hills, passing some open meadows and even corralled ponies in backyards. Though the trail is well maintained and clean, at times you may find yourself skating across soft pine needles; most of the trail is cooled by the shade of the tall trees.
Closer to Danville, the trail crosses several not-too-busy streets, but the interruptions can be annoying, since for safety's sake you really do need to slow or stop to check for oncoming cars. Our route ends at Prospect Street in the small, friendly town of Danville, where there is a rest area and water. Across the street is the Museum of the San Ramon Valley in an old railway station. There is parking here if you wish to do this trip in the reverse direction.
For more skating, continue south. This route is covered in Iron Horse Regional Trail South.
Links
- 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 - North - 811KB
Related Tours
| Last Skated
Feb 2, 2009
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Updated
Mar 19, 2009
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