Bay Trail: Hayward to San Leandro

Bay Trail: Hayward to San Leandro

Location: East Bay

Info Links: http://www.ebparks.org/parks/hayward
http://baytrail.abag.ca.gov/

Summary: Starting at the Hayward Regional Shoreline Interpretive Center near the east end of the San Mateo Bridge, run north along the dirt path all the way up to Marina Park in San Leandro. The trail is easy to follow for the most part. When in doubt, stay toward the bay. The trail follows the bay shoreline, sometimes on levees and crossing a few little bridges. Some small trails head inland to other trailheads but you'll realize that pretty quickly. A couple head toward the bay out to dead-ends too. Check the gmap to get an idea of where that happens. There's not many water stops so carry plenty! There is no shade whatsoever so avoid running it late in the day or on really hot days. You can check out the Bay Trail website for options for extending the run. You can keep going north to Oyster Point but I haven't done that.

Gmap: Hayward Regional Shoreline

Related Blog Post: http://runningstories.blogspot.com/2008/03/long-run-at-hayward-shoreline.html

Distance: 15.0 miles

Conditions: In Hayward, dirt path. Toward San Leandro, Paved

Profile: Flat

Start: Hayward Shoreline Interpretive Center http://www.haywardrec.org/hayshore.html

Park: On street in front of Interpretive Center (no fee)

Water: The ONLY water that I know of is at the San Leandro Marina Park at the turn around. Carry plenty with you!

Turn-around: Marina Park in San Leandro. Several water fountains and a bathroom here.

Contra Costa Canal Trail

Alameda Creek Trail

Alameda Creek Trail

Location: East Bay

Info Links: http://www.ebparks.org/parks/trails/alameda_creek

http://baytrail.abag.ca.gov/vtour/map4/access/AlamedaCrk_E/AlamedaSE.htm

Summary: The Alameda Creek Trail is a regional trail that follows Alameda Creek from the Niles area of Fremont to the bay. It is 12 miles in length so you can do a very long run here. In fact, it connects up with Coyote Hills Regional Park (see index) so you really could run forever. The trail is completely straightforward and easy to follow. If you look at the East Bay Parks map you can find several adjacent parks and alternate starting points on the trail. It's generally not to hot due to the proximity to the bay and there is a bit of shade if you come early. The best part of the run is looking for all the different birds- several kinds of cranes and egrets hang out here.

Gmap: Alameda Creek Trail

Related blog post: http://runningstories.blogspot.com/2008/02/rained-out.html

Distance: 17.0 miles (or any distance you want)

Conditions: One side of the creek has a dirt trail and the other side has a paved trail. If you stay on the side you parked on (see below) you'll be on the paved side. There's a dirt shoulder for the most part.

Profile: Flat, with a few dips below overpasses.

Start/Park: Niles Canyon Staging Area (no fee) Just north/east of Niles Canyon Road on Old Canyon Road (see East Bay Parks map)

Water: The only one I can think of is about 1 1/2 to 2 miles from the start (on the paved side). Carry plenty of your own water!

Coyote Hills

Lafayette-Moraga Trail

Lafayette-Moraga Trail

Location: East Bay

Info Link: http://www.ebparks.org/parks/trails/lafayette_moraga

Summary: The Lafayette-Moraga Trail is a paved bike path that starts in Lafayette and goes up to Moraga. It is very scenic and there is usually a bit of shade on the trail, at least in the first few miles. I swear the people up here are the nicest in the bay area and you'll get lots of "Good Morning"s from them. It's a little hilly, and I've had a couple really rough runs before from pushing too hard on the initial gradual climb. Take it easy and enjoy the scenery. There are mile markings on the path in paint. The trail is easy to follow, but watch the signs after mile 6, you'll take a little jog down Country Club Drive before picking up the trail again.

Gmap: http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=2209082

Related blog posts: http://runningstories.blogspot.com/2007/09/long-run-week-1-humble-me-lord.html http://runningstories.blogspot.com/search?q=victory+is+mine

Distance: 15 miles (max)

Conditions: Paved path with dirt shoulder

Profile: Gradual climb for the first 5 miles, up to St. Mary's College. Some of the last hills before the top are a bit steeper. Then you go down for a couple miles, where it eventually flattens out. You get the opposite on the way back of course.

Start/Park: Parking lot at Pleasant Hill Rd./Olympic Blvd. (no fee) Trail heads out the west side of the parking lot. The official "start" of the trail is about 0.2 mile past Reliz Station Rd.

Water: There is a drinking fountain just before the 1 mile mark. There is another but I don't know exactly where. Then, there is a park at mile 5.75, just before the crosswalk at Moraga Rd. This park (Moraga Commons) has drinking fountains and restrooms. You pass a Safeway at about mile 6 where you could buy water or snacks.

Breakfast: Chow (58 Lafayette Circle) or Noah's (3518 Mt. Diablo Blvd.)

Iron Horse Trail

The Iron Horse Trail

Location: East Bay

Info Link: http://www.ebparks.org/parks/trails/iron_horse



Summary: The Iron Horse Trail is a rails-to-trails project that partially follows a canal. It is super long and you can do a long run at any number of points along the trail. It is generally easy to follow, just look for the signs. This specific version starts near my home in Dublin and runs one-way up to Walnut Creek.



Gmap: Iron Horse Trail



Related blog run report: November 2007 (not this exact run, but similar territory)


Distance: 15.5 miles One-Way (many alternatives available)


Conditions: paved bike path with dirt shoulder at some points


Profile: flat


Start: Trail Crossing at Amador Valley Boulevard in Dublin


Park: on street, walk to trail crossing


Water: Walt Disney School Park at Pine Valley Rd (2.0 miles). *bathroom here! Portopotty*
Central Park at Bollinger Canyon Rd (3.9 miles).
Danville Rd. crossing (8.3 miles)
Just pass old Railroad station at Prospect Ave (8.6 miles) *bathroom here! In old railroad car*
Stone Valley Road (11.4 miles)
Several more fountains at various points along trail over next couple miles
Rudgear Road (13.7 miles)



End: Civic Park, Walnut Creek (at Civic Drive)



Breakfast: Crepes A Go-Go

1432 N. Main St.