Iron Horse Trail

The multi-use, whole-access Iron Horse Trail currently spans a distance of 30.17 miles between the cities of Dublin and Concord. It follows the right-of-way originally established by the Southern Pacific Railroad in 1891, but abandoned in 1977. There are plans to extend the trail another 27.1 miles so that it runs from Livermore in Alameda County to Suisun Bay in Contra Costa County, connecting 12 cities in total.

First opened in 1986, the Iron Horse Trail is 20-feet wide in most places. It passes through open spaces, parks, residential areas, and commercial zones, providing access to homes, businesses, schools, community facilities, and public transportation (County Connection, BART), while intersecting other regional trails. It can be used by hikers, bicyclists, and horse riders, but motorized vehicles are strictly prohibited, with the exception of wheelchairs.

As an important recreational and commuting asset, the Iron Horse Trail is maintained by the East Bay Regional Park District. There are no fees for use, parking at trail access points is free, and usage hours are between 5am and 10pm daily, unless where otherwise posted or permitted. Trail users are asked to exercise courtesy and remain on the right, except when passing. Bicycles should yield to horses and hikers, and hikers to horses.