California Riding and Hiking Trail

• About The Trail
• Mileage
• Trail Accessibility
• Responsible Trail-Use Rules
• Trail Map
• Full Trail Map

About The Trail

The California State Riding and Hiking Trail was first envisioned in 1945, but has not yet been completed. The Contra Costa County segment of the trail was a pilot project of the program, and the level of completion it has attained has been due in part to strong public interest in the East Bay. In 1982 Senator Dan Boatright, with support from legislators Robert Campbell and Bill Baker, arranged for a state grant of $300,000 to the Park District using 1964 State Park Bond funds. Coupled with the conveyance of land rights acquired by the state, the District was able to acquire and develop the trail.

This historic trail provides spectacular views, community access, and a challenging and rewarding experience to trail users of various abilities. When completed, it will extend 16 miles and will connect Martinez to Mt. Diablo State Park. Currently the trail is completed from Martinez to Concord, and will soon make the final link to Mt. Diablo. The trail passes from Carquinez Regional Shoreline over the Franklin Hills and makes a connection to the John Muir Historic Site. It passes over and through the hilly residential area of southern Martinez, past city parks (Hidden Lakes, Las Juntas), and into Pleasant Hill, where it utilizes a portion of the Contra Costa Canal Trail. It follows the Canal Trail past Walnut Creek's Larkey Park and Heather Farm Park and leaves it it the vicinity of Lime Ridge Open Space in Concord. From there it courses through open space and residential areas of Concord and into Concord's Newhall Community Park. The trail currently ends south of Crystal Ranch Drive. The trail can be accessed from the variety of parks and schools it connects to, as well as other local parking adjacent to the all-dirt portion of the trail corridor.

Mileage

Trail Mileage Guide

• Download: California Riding and Hiking Trail [PDF]

Trail Accessibility

Certain sections of the trail are wheelchair accessible.

Responsible Trail-Use Rules

Multi-Use Trail

Safe multiple use of this and other multiple use trails requires everyone's cooperation. Each trail user is asked to exercise common courtesy. BICYCLES YIELD to horses and hikers. HIKERS YIELD to horses. Stay to the right of the trail except when passing. NO MOTORIZED VEHICLES are permitted on the trail, wheelchairs excepted.

Violations of any of the following may result in citation.

All Trail Users:

• Be safe, considerate and aware of your impact on the trail and other trail users.
• For everyone's safety, keep to the right. Proceed single file around blind curves.
• For your safety, headphones are not advised.
• Safety helmets are required by law for bicyclists under age 18, and are strongly recommended for all bicyclists and equestrians.
• Dogs must be on leash where posted, and under full verbal control elsewhere. Please clean up after your dog.

Bicycles

• Bicycles are not permitted, either walked, ridden or carried, on trails marked "No Bicycles."
• Bicycles shall not be ridden at an unsafe speed, or greater than the posted speed limit. Be aware of how you are perceived by other trail users.
• Bells are required on bicycles on Park District trails.
• Bicycles always yield to pedestrians. Before passing, SLOW DOWN, ring bell and establish verbal contact.
• When approaching equestrians, call out, ring bell and STOP, whether you are seen or not. Ask for instructions on how to pass safely.
• On blind turns, SLOW DOWN, call out, ring bell and ride single file.

Pedestrians:

• Keep to the right when approached by others.
• Always yield to equestrians.
• Look behind and to both sides before changing course.

Equestrians

• Keep your horse to the right or where safe when encountering other trail users.
• Communicate. Let other trail users know how to pass your horse safely.
• Please clean up after your horse on paved trails.

Trail conflicts or violations should be reported to the Trail Hotline at (510) 733-6991. For an immediate response, call (510) 881-1833. In case of emergency dial 9-1-1.

Trail Map

• Full Trail Map  [PDF]