15 Best Running Trails In Dallas You Can Visit Today
Dallas is already a popular destination for plenty of tourists each year, and whether you’re local to Dallas, or just visiting the area.
If you’re looking to get out into nature and explore some of the incredible scenery that Dallas has to offer while on your runs, then these trails should provide you with the perfect opportunity to do so!
So, if you want to get a better idea of some of the best running trails in Dallas, this guide is for you, as we’ll provide you with all the details you need to know.
15 Best Running Trails In Dallas
1. Cedar Brake Trail Via Cattal Pond Trail
Starting this list strong, this running spot in Dallas is an easy route that most runners can enjoy, regardless of experience or fitness level, especially thanks to its low elevation gain of 81 meters.
The trail is 4.3km long, with an average completion time of 1 hour and 3 minutes, so it’s the perfect route to take if you’re looking to get a good dose of nature during your runs.
If you plan to visit during the weekend, the car park can become crowded quickly, so it’s worth getting down there early!
2. White Rock Lake Trail
A much longer running route, but also a much more accessible one, this 14.8km trail has a 55-meter elevation gain and is fully paved all the way.
Making it perfect for families and those with accessibility issues, or those who require the use of a wheelchair or mobility equipment.
This waterside walk allows you to take in much of the natural beauty without leaving the convenience of the city behind.
So it’s a great way to enjoy a slice of nature without having to stress about mud or sand getting into your car.
3. Cedar Ridge Outer Loop
Cedar Ridge Preserve has many amazing trails for you to experience. If you’re struggling with which one to explore, then this outer loop trail will allow you to explore most of the trails in the preserve.
This 8.7km loop has an elevation gain of 208 meters, and is considered to be a slightly more challenging trail, so it’s worth ensuring that you have the appropriate experience and equipment required in order to tackle this trail.
If you want to challenge yourself on some inclines, this trail will be a good place to start running in Dallas.
4. Cattail Pond, Fossil Valley, Red Oak, And Escarpment Trail Loop
A shorter and much easier trail to traverse than the last, this 4.0km trail features an elevation gain of 98 meters and some spectacular scenery for you to take in as you make your way around the loop.
The trail itself is well maintained, and is definitely a great starting point for beginner runners and hikers who want to begin to test themselves without being too strenuous.
The trail can become busy on weekends, so if you want a less crowded jogging trail in Dallas, then a visit on a weekday is recommended.
5. Cattail Pond And Ceder Brake Trail Loop
Taking you across the same two trails as the first loop on this list, this loop is slightly longer, at 6.4km in length, with a much greater elevation gain too (155 meters).
With an average completion time of 1 hour 40 minutes, this trail is considered to be moderately challenging, so it’s worth keeping that in mind before you attempt it.
Proper hiking or running shoes are an absolute must for this trail, so make sure you’re properly equipped when taking on this loop.
6. Katy Trail
A downtown running trail in Dallas that allows you to enjoy plenty of nature and greenery while remaining on the convenience of a paved path.
This trail is an out-and-back trail that will provide you with some great scenery, and is great for those who require a wheelchair or mobility vehicle to get around.
The trail is also well maintained, so you should have no issues with the path when it comes to this loop either.
Which means that it truly can be enjoyed by everyone. The full trail is 12.4km long, so it’s still a good workout!
7. Escarpment And Cattail Pond Loop
Although slightly more difficult than the previous loop, this loop still remains fairly easy.
So even beginner hikers and runners alike will be able to enjoy this trail, as well as the incredible views and scenery that accompany it.
If you need to rest, you can do so on the number of benches found throughout the trail, which is great for those who are new to life on the trails.
If you plan on visiting on the weekend, then be prepared for it to be slightly crowded, so try to arrive as early as you can!
8. Possumhaw Trail
Don’t let the short distance of this trail fool you, because while it’s only 1.3km long, there are several sections of stairs found throughout this trail. That is why it’s considered to be of moderate difficulty, even though much of the trail is flat.
Despite its difficulty rating, it’s definitely a great trail to explore for the whole family, and only takes an average of 19 minutes to complete, so it’s a great way to get out into nature, even if it’s just for a short while!
9. Oak Cliff Full Loop
Combining all of the trails you can find at the Oak Cliff Nature Preserve, this challenging trail provides you with 10.5km of incredible scenery, and 105 meters of elevation gain too.
The trail is predominantly under shade, so it shouldn’t be too uncomfortable during the summer months, although the trail itself is open all year round.
This loop isn’t signposted, so you’ll want to have an offline version of the trail ready for you to follow as you make your way around, as you don’t want to get lost!
10. Hi Line To Oak Lawn – Katy Trail
If you liked the idea of exploring the Katy Trail but the full-length trail was slightly intimidating, then this out-and-back trail allows you to explore some of the best parts of the trail without having to conquer the full distance.
With several paved lanes for both cyclists and pedestrians, this 58 minute trail is relatively easy to complete, and depending on the time of day, is perfect for those looking for a walk that will provide a bit of solitude.
11. Boulder Park Trail
With the optimum visiting time between March and October, the Boulder Park trail is one predominantly used by mountain bikers, but runners and hikers are welcome to use the trail.
But you should ensure that you’re walking the way opposite to the direction of the bikers, as it means you’ll be able to see them coming!
This loop is 6.4km in length and has an elevation gain of 79 meters, and is considered to be a moderately challenging trail, so it’s probably best to avoid this if you’re a beginner.
12. Oak Cliff White Loop
This short yet satisfying loop trail is great for those looking to challenge themselves on a moderately difficult trail, however the elevation gain is minimal at 15 meters.
Quieter times of the day will provide you with perfect solitude on this trail, although it can become busy on the weekends.
Although the trail is well marked, the variety of intersections for other trails means that it’s a good idea to download the route for this trail before you head out.
13. Oak Cliff Yellow Loop
Another great loop from the Oak Cliff Nature Preserve is the yellow loop, which is a great 4.8km trail with amazing views and a winding track that makes it popular amongst both runners and mountain bikers alike.
The route is somewhat poorly marked, so downloading it to your phone beforehand is definitely recommended to prevent yourself from getting lost.
14. Little Bluestem Trail
For a short burst of nature, this 9 minute trail has a length of just 0.8km and an elevation of 2 meters, so it’s not a challenging one at all.
However, it allows people to get a taste for the beauty of Cedar Ridge Preserve while remaining wheelchair friendly, so it’s accessible for everyone to enjoy.
It is worth noting however that the path is gravel, so you might want to consider choosing a chair with all-terrain tires for this trail!
15. Katie Jackson Red Loop
The final trail on our list is an easy 2.9km circular loop found in Katie Jackson Park, and is a great way to immerse yourself in Dallas’ natural world which makes for a particularly relaxing outing, even if you’re running.
If you want to explore more of the park, then this loop connects to different trails at various points, so check a map to see where else you can explore!
Final Thoughts
We hope you’ve enjoyed our guide to some of the best running trails in Dallas.
As always, be sure to wear appropriate clothing and footwear, and bring any necessary equipment with you too, and run safely!
