Lace up your hiking boots. We’ve compiled a curated hiking guide for the Dallas area with 13 trails and routes to help you plan your next adventure.
Note: Before heading out, we recommend checking park websites for further info, current trail conditions, and safest practices for the area.
Key: Easy = 🥾| Moderate = 🥾🥾 | Hard = 🥾🥾🥾
Many of Cedar Hill State Park’s trails pass by Joe Pool Lake.
Photo by Michael Barera via Wikimedia Commons
Picture-perfect views
Trinity Skyline Trail, 110 W. Commerce St.
- Difficulty: 🥾
- Length: 4.6-mile point to point
- Wheelchair accessible: Portions
- Pet-friendly: Yes, leash required
This trail is aptly-named, thanks to the Dallas skyline views you’ll get while walking. You can also expect views of the Trinity River, sculptures, and other artwork. Note that some portions of the trail are gravel.
North Shore Trail, Rockledge Park, 3600 Pilot Point Rd., Grapevine
- Difficulty: 🥾🥾
- Length: 8.8-mile out and back
- Wheelchair accessible: No
- Pet-friendly: Yes, leash required
This portion of the popular North Shore Trail will take you from Rockledge Park to Murrell Park through the forest + along the shoreline of Lake Grapevine. Rockledge Park has a $10 entrance fee per car, and this trail is shared with mountain bikers.
Talala Trail, Cedar Hill State Park, 1570 FM1382, Cedar Hill
- Difficulty: 🥾🥾
- Length: 2.3-mile loop
- Wheelchair accessible: Contact the park to reserve an all-terrain vehicle
- Pet-friendly: Yes, leash required
Cedar Hill State Park (fee required for entrance) offers multiple Dallas Off Road Biking Association (DORBA) trails for hikers + bikers, including Talala Trail, where you’ll get the chance to see prairie restoration work up close. Be sure to stop at Talala Overlook for the views.
Best for a workout
West Loop Trail, Dogwood Canyon Audubon Center, 1206 FM1382, Cedar Hill
- Difficulty: 🥾🥾
- Length: 1.6-mile loop
- Wheelchair accessible: No
- Pet-friendly: No
Don’t let the short distance fool you — this trail has a 150-ft elevation change within the first half mile, where you’ll be met with panoramic views. West Loop Trail is open during the Audubon Center’s normal hours, Thursday-Saturday.
Lone Wolf Loop, Marion Sansom Park, 2501 Roberts Cut Off Rd.
- Difficulty: 🥾🥾
- Length: 3.6-mile loop
- Wheelchair accessible: No
- Pet-friendly: Yes, leash required
If you’re looking for a moderate challenge, this route has elevation changes plus beautiful views of rocks, riverbends, and forests.
The 1.3-mile Lake Loop Trail at Bonham State Park circles the majority of the lake.
Photo by Nicolas Henderson via Wikimedia Commons
Wildlife walks
Armadillo Trail, Bonham State Park, 1363 State Park 24, Bonham
- Difficulty: 🥾
- Length: 1.5-mile loop
- Wheelchair accessible: No
- Pet-friendly: Yes, leash required
Keep an eye out for armadillos foraging for insects while hiking this shaded trail. Bonham State Park charges a fee for entry — make the most of your trip + hop on the connected Lake Loop Trail to lengthen your trek.
SoPac Trail, park at 3440 W. Lawther Dr
- Difficulty: 🥾
- Length: 5.7-mile point to point
- Wheelchair accessible: Yes
- Pet-friendly: Yes, leash required
A commuter + recreational path for walkers, runners, and cyclists, SoPac Trail also connects to the Katy Trail extension, the Northhaven Trail, the Cottonwood Trail, and the White Rock Creek Trail for those who want to expand their hike. Bring plenty of water — there are no fountains along the way.
Lake Grapevine Horseshoe Trail, 2700 Dove Rd., Grapevine
- Difficulty: 🥾🥾
- Length: 4.4-mile loop
- Wheelchair accessible: No
- Pet-friendly: Yes, leash required
Explore local flora and fauna on this peaceful hike that’s roughly a 30-minute drive from downtown Dallas. After rains, some portions of the trail may get muddy or flooded.
Boulder Park Trail, 6600 Pastor Bailey Dr.
- Difficulty: 🥾🥾
- Length: 4.5-mile loop
- Wheelchair accessible: No
- Pet-friendly: Yes, leash required
Though technically a mountain biking trail, hikers are welcome on this ~4.5-mile, mostly shaded loop. Follow Loop A to begin and end at the trailhead.
Flower-filled
Cedar Ridge Outer Loop, Cedar Ridge Preserve, 7171 Mountain Creek Pkwy.
- Difficulty: 🥾🥾
- Length: 5.5-mile loop
- Wheelchair accessible: No
- Pet-friendly: Yes, leash required
Expect several elevation changes (and stairs) on this hike that will take you by Joe Pool Lake. We recommend going in the spring, when you may get to see the bluebonnets in bloom.
Sunset views from the Katy Trail can’t be beat.
Photo via Wikimedia Commons
Urban oases
Katy Trail, downtown Dallas
- Difficulty: 🥾
- Length: 3.5-mile point to point
- Wheelchair accessible: Yes
- Pet-friendly: Yes, leash required
This popular paved and shaded path starts near Pike Park and ends near Glencoe Park. Need to fuel up during or after your hike? Stop by the Katy Trail Ice House.
Santa Fe Trail, White Rock Lake + Deep Ellum
- Difficulty: 🥾
- Length: 5.3-mile point to point
- Wheelchair accessible: Yes
- Pet-friendly: Yes, leash required
This 12-ft wide waterfront trail begins near the southern tip of White Rock Lake and connects various Dallas neighborhoods. Most locals enjoy the trail for exercising and a few skyline views.
Take it easy
Loughridge Lake South Shore Loop, Hidden Lake Rd.
- Difficulty: 🥾
- Length: 0.9-mile loop
- Wheelchair accessible: Yes
- Pet-friendly: Yes, leash required
Located just north of Fort Worth, this short, paved trail in Saginaw is the perfect place for a quick walk and is a safe choice for its visibility + popularity with dog owners. It’s also stroller-friendly.
Want more DFW-area hikes? Check out FTWtoday’s hiking guide for a full roundup of spots closer to Fort Worth.
Get the right gear
Get the most out of your trip with comfortable, handy, and helpful hiking gear:
- For the best footwear, check out Nordstrom Rack’s sneaker edit for hiking.
- If your trail demands a proper hiking boot, we like Columbia’s collection on Amazon.
- Travel light (but still have room for snacks) with lululemon’s Everywhere Belt Bag.
- Get a good bulk deal on Perfect Bars, Clif Bars, or Kind Bars at a warehouse store like Sam’s Club.
- Don’t forget to bring a compact, portable phone charger (you’ll thank us later).
- We like this Teton hiking backpack.
- We like this lightweight water bottle.
Psst — to be ultra-prepared, here are the 10 items you should never enter a national park without, according to the National Park Service.
