The trail begins in Pacheco at Center Avenue and Hidden Lakes Drive and follows the Contra Costa Canal for it's entire length. It passes through Las Juntas Park in Pleasant Hill and continues south into Walnut Creek, where it passes a few blocks northeast of Larkey Park. At Putnam Boulevard the Briones - Mt. Diablo Trail, which goes through Larkey Park, connects to the Contra Costa Canal Trail. Just past Oak Road the trail passes Walden Park and intersects with the Iron Horse Trail. The trail then passes Heather Farms Park, where there is a connection to the Ygnacio Canal Trail, and then Shadelands Business Park before turning north at Lime Ridge Open Space and ending at Willow Pass Road in Concord.
Water is also available in Las Juntas Park in Pleasant Hill.
The Ygnacio Canal Trail is a 7 mile loop trail that starts at Heather Farms Park in Walnut Creek, and follows the Ygnacio Valley Canal to its intersection with the Contra Costa Canal. Pick up the trail north of the pool and go west onto Marchbanks Drive and south to Ygnacio Valley Road. The trail then becomes a traffic free, paved muti-use trail all the way back to Heather Farms Park. The trail first passes San Miguel Park as it turns east for several miles, passing Walnut Avenue and Oak Grove Road. At Arbolado Park the trail turns north and passes Boundary Oaks Golf Course and Lime Ridge Open Space before crossing under Ygnacio Valley Road.