Contra Costa Canal Trail

This is one of the most popular trails within the urban heart of the Diablo Valley. A multi-use paved pathway, it provides a safe off-road corridor connecting Martinez, Pleasant Hill, Walnut Creek and Concord. The trail is 14.25M, flat, and follows the Contra Costa Canal. Most of the scenery includes the backyards of homes, but it intercepts some local parks and makes connections to regional trails including the California State Riding and Hiking Trail, Briones-to-Mt. Diablo Trail, Ygnacio Trail, and the Iron Horse Trail.

These trails are more rural and scenic as they progress out to the open space areas. Some of the best vista views are seen starting at the Cowell Road junction, near Davis Street. Near the Lime Ridge Open Space there is a cut to the Ygnacio Canal Trail, it offers more diverse vegetation, a short, steep hill, and a lighted tunnel crossing Ygnacio Road.

This path is great for workers who want to get in a run during the lunch hour. Because of its central Contra Costa County location, it is near many commercial areas. The Pleasant Hill Bart station is 1/4M north of the trail's junction with Oak Grove Road and the Concord Bart station is less than a mile from where the trail meets Cowell Road.

Facilities: Restrooms and drinking water are sometimes available at Larkey and Heather Farms Parks in Walnut Creek. Diablo Valley College in Pleasant Hill has restrooms, water and phones during operating hours. Water is also available at Las Juntas Park in Pleasant Hill.

Tips:

Get a trail map to find out the most convenient street for you to access the path. There are brochures at the Concord gate, near Clayton Road. Or call (510) 635-0135 and have one sent to you. Ask for the Contra Costa Regional Trails and C.C. Canal Trails maps.

This is one of the few trails that are also enjoyable by bike. The paved road is eight feet wide, and the junction posts are wide enough to ride through. Most crossings are on residential streets that only require feathering your brakes to look for traffic. You can easily get more mileage or scope out the more scenic paths for a run by exploring the regional trails. It is also a good way to have an easy bike ride without traffic.

Directions:

The trail begins at Muir Road in Martinez, and ends in Concord at Willow Pass Road east of Sixth Street.

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