Now that Fall is officially here it is safe to say we can venture outdoors more to enjoy it!
In celebration of the fall season, below are a few of the best hiking trails in DFW. Now I know what you're thinking...it's Dallas...it's Fort Worth...it's flat, how can there be good hiking here? Speaking as a native of the Pacific Northwest, hiking is what you make it...a run, a jog, a walk, a stroll, but what constitutes a hike? I always thought of a hike as requiring some kind of elevation change but it merely means to travel by any means so the emphasis is on the traveling, not the environment in which it's in.
These are in no specific order but I will start with my favorite trail:
Trinity Trails in Fort Worth
I grew up near Portland, Oregon so this is the closest I can get to the setting of the Willamette River running through downtown...it's just a small scale version! There are several places to easily hop onto this trail such as Heritage Park Plaza which is right off Belknap using N Taylor. I am partial to getting on at S University Drive using Riverfront Drive because of the proximity to the
Woodshed Smokehouse which has a great patio overlooking the Trinity River. With the addition of the Shops at Clearfork, there is ample parking and easy access near the
Press Cafe to get onto the trail.
Distance: 1 - 50+ miles
Difficulty: Easy
Surface: Varied: paved and/or gravel
Home to the Cowtown Marathon
Katy Trail
A Dallas gem, the
Katy Trail meanders through Dallas with convenient access points such as Dedo's Place at the SMU end or at Victory Promenade. The trail began in 2000 after Union Pacific donated its abandoned railroad lines to the city of Dallas in 1993. In the mid-1800s, Union Pacific built the Missouri-Kansas-Texas Railroad as its Southern Branch and was commonly called the K-T which eventually evolved into the Katy. It is now cared for and maintained by the Friends of the Katy Trail to keep it in great condition for everyone to enjoy.
Distance: 3.5 miles
Difficulty: Easy
Surface: Paved
Home to the Katy 5K
Parr Park
So you've probably heard the buzz about the painted rock art trail in Parr Park in Grapevine and it's worth a visit. Just this month it broke the
Guinness Book of World Records for the most painted rocks in one place at over 24,000! It's beautiful, easy to access and the quirky, interesting rocks will give you so much to look at. It's great for kids because it will keep them interested and get them outdoors! The trails snake through Creekwood Park & Wall-Farrar park by Big Bear Creek. Easy access points through the parks' parking lots which are also close to the playgrounds & pavilions. The rock art trail is near the access point by Church of the Cross.
Distance: You decide
Difficulty: Easy
Surface: Varied
Colleyville Nature Center Trail
Right in Colleyville of 26, the
Nature Center trail is a great beginner trail with ponds, shade and easy access. It's perfect for kids & dogs.
Distance: 2.1 mile loop
Difficulty: Easy
Surface: Paved
White Rock Lake Trail
I can't have a list of trails without mentioning White Rock Lake! Home to many recreational options, this trail is 9.3 miles around White Rock Lake with several parks, restrooms, lake access points & parking areas. Cycling is the best way to complete the entire loop of the trail but you can venture off the trail with on-the-water activities such kayaking & paddleboarding.
Distance: 9.3 mile loop
Difficulty: Easy
Surface: Paved
