Touring * Fitness * Beginner * Slalom * Artistic *

From Highway 24 at Lafayette, exit at Pleasant Hill Road. Head south on Pleasant Hill, and at the intersection with Olympic Boulevard, park in the staging area at the south side.

Map: For a free trail map, call the East Bay Regional Parks District at (510) 562-PARK (7275) and ask for the Lafayette-Moraga Trail area brochure.

The Lafayette-Moraga rail-trail was one of the first in California to be converted for recreational use by hikers, equestrians, and bicyclists, and now it's a prime spot for in-liners, too. The original trail passing through the pretty foothills was once used by mule trains carrying redwood up to Oakland. Later, steam trains replaced the mules.

Skating the full 15-plus-mile round-trip is a real joy for experienced skaters in good physical condition, but beginners who can stop for the intersections on the flat neighborhood section in Lafayette will also enjoy it. For the first three miles, the trail is flat, but it does pass through several minor intersections where you'll need to slow down and watch for cars. The trail is also getting a bit rough in this area.

Further south, the intersections become few and far between. At about four miles, the trail begins to get hilly, with slopes ranging from four to nine degrees for the rest of the trip. Skate past St. Mary's College on the left, which is an especially beautiful sight on a bright California winter day, with its old-style buildings in contrasting white against the grassy hills and Mount Diablo backdrop. Perhaps to encourage you to pause and enjoy this view, picnic tables have been provided at a small rest stop across from the college.

After the rest stop, a moderate dowhill stretch cuts along the left side of the Moraga Commons Park. Just across the next intersection, you'll reach Old Town Moraga--not exactly quaint in its current state, with a shopping center just across the street. You'll have to navigate through this part of town without a trail or even markers to guide you. But if you're ready for more hill skating, follow the decrepit sidewalk alongside School Street. Watch for Country Club Drive about three blocks down, where you'll need to jog right (west) for about half a block before picking up the southbound trail again. On our last visit, the first one-block section here was signed "Trail Closed." The trail was still accessible with no real danger evident. However, this section is quite rough with plenty of tree-root bumps.

South of downtown Moraga, the route becomes more rural and hilly. The trail map shows the last long climb as a nine degree slope. At the top of this hill, the paved path ends next to Canyon Road and the Valle Vista Staging Area. Unfortunately, skating back down that same hill doesn't invite relaxed slaloms or descent in the tuck position because there are multiple tar patches and a blind corner at the bottom.

One stretch of pavement halfway back is smooth enough to encourage some fast skating. Just watch out for the sloped wooden footbridge with raised knotholes. It's difficult to stroke across because of the knotholes and the narrow width of the bridge, so we advise that you approach it with some speed so you can coast over it.

• East Bay Regional Park District - Trail Description and maps.