Kids have fun here, they can ride a bike, enjoy wildlife and sluicy streams. Children enjoy this route because it is not exhausting for them. The trail is wide, well-maintained and doesn’t gain much elevation, it’s pretty flat. Iron Horse Trail is perfect for families with kids. The old rail-trail crosses Boxley Creek and continues to run east along the flank of Cedar Butte. The western part of the trail is located at Rattlesnake Lake Recreational Area.
You can ride a bike or hike it and enjoy green walls that surround you, lots of flowers of different colours, and you can even find and taste berries here. In summer this route is truly picturesque. In winter the route offers wonderful possibilities for skiers. The trail also provides access to many other connecting trails in the Cedar River divide area. Iron Horse Trail offers wonderful possibilities for an easy hiking or bicycling in the heart of picturesque region.
Nowadays, this picturesque trail runs all the way across the State of Washington. Government bought this land and turned it into a wonderful trail for non-motorized vehicles. It was in operation until the 1970s when the railroad company turned bankrupt. Originally, this was the route known as “The Milwaukee Road”. The Iron Horse Trail or the John Wayne Pioneer Trail is one the best rails-to-trails type conversions in the country.
We’re experts at catering to those who enjoy our region on bike and foot! Don’t forget to download our free area Vacation Guide to plan your trip.Pictures below will take you on a virtual tour along the best rails-to-trails conversions. To see the trail map, go to the East Bay Parks site for the Iron Horse.Īfter you’ve ridden the Iron Horse, rejuvenate your tired muscles with a Sports Massage at The Purple Orchid. On blind turns, SLOW DOWN, call out, ring bell and ride single file.
Ask for instructions on how to pass safely. When approaching equestrians, call out, ring bell and STOP, whether you are seen or not. Before passing, SLOW DOWN, ring bell and establish verbal contact. Helmets are required for cyclists under 18 by law but are encouraged for all cyclists and equestrians.Ĭertain offshoots of the trail may be marked No Bicycles, whether walked, ridden or carried.īells are required on bicycles on Park District trails. Headphones aren’t advised for safety purposes. In the cooperative spirit that brought the trail into existence, be safe, considerate and aware. Stay to the right side of the trail unless passing. Since the Iron Horse is a multi-use trail, there are guidelines and best practices to consider while sharing the path with hikers and even horses.īicycles must yield to horses and hikers. So consider your ride a taste of more to come! Rules of the Road Eventually, the Iron Horse Regional Trail will continue extending to cover a distance of about 55 miles, connecting 12 cities from Livermore in Alameda County to Suisun Bay in Contra Costa County. Continuing south, the trail follows a greenbelt through residential areas and into downtown Danville.įrom there you’ll cross the county line in San Ramon extending to the Dublin/Pleasanton BART and further on to Shadow Cliffs Regional Recreation Area. It runs south through Walnut Creek and crosses east under I-680 at Rudgear Road near a Park & Ride.įrom there the trail passes through a rural/residential area to connect with downtown Alamo and the Alamo Square shopping center. If you want to bike the entire Iron Horse Trail, you can begin in Concord near Highway 4. Iron Horse Bike Trail The Iron Horse Bike Trail Course You’ll be getting great exercise with an inside look at the region, all at the same time. The 20-foot-wide paved trail will send you whizzing through residential and commercial areas, business parks, schools, public transportation centers, open spaces, parks, and more. Not only does the Iron Horse Bike Trail serve cyclists, it also serves recreationalists of all types–and even commuters. It was a long time coming, but well worth the wait. The trail was established after thirty years of planning.
Fun fact: the trail follows the Southern Pacific Railroad right-of-way established in 1891 and abandoned in 1977.Ĭompleted in 2014, the Iron Horse Bike Trail spans 32 miles of California landscape and history. The Iron Horse Bike Trail is a multi-use, whole-access trail between the cities of Concord and Pleasanton. If you want to take your bike out for an adventure in the Livermore region, you won’t be disappointed with the Iron Horse Bike Trail. People who love cycling have that special streak of adventure: experiencing new places in a challenging physical way, often with wind whipping past.