Northaven Trail

Review:  Built along an easement for power lines, Northaven Trail is a linear concrete path that makes good use of the byway, as it cuts across North Dallas. The trail crosses many major roads (Hillcrest, Preston, Inwood, Midway, Marsh, Webbchapel), and there are traffic lights for most of the intersections so you can cross safely. Not the most beautiful or challenging trail in the area, but it’s well used by locals, and provides easy access to the outdoors. Future plans are to link the trail to the White Rock Trail, as well as the Campion trail in Irving, so good things to come!

Distance: Currently 8.4 miles. It runs from around Central Expressway (75) to the East, over the tollway and close to Harry Hines to the West. Lies between Forest Lane and Royal Lane.

Area of Town: In North Dallas, just south of LBJ.

Facilities: There were a few areas to rest or get some water. The trail also passes by a few playgrounds.

Suitable for: Walking / Jogging / Road Biking

Type of Trail: Concrete Trail

Shade: Not much at all, if any. You are following powerlines through a greenway, so vast majority is exposed to the sun.

Where to Park:  There are multiple spots to park along the trail (Good Shepherd or the YMCA by Midway, Grace Bible on Inwood, Northaven United Methodist Church on Preston), but for the most part the trail is in a residential area, with limited parking. You can also park at Freda Stern Drive, located close to 75.

Official Website: Friends of Northaven Trail

Nearby Trails: Bachman Lake, Brookhaven / Vitruvian Park, White Rock Creek Trail

Crossing across North Dallas, this is one of the newer trails in the Dallas area. Built along an Oncor power easement, it’s a good use of the land, giving a much needed east / west path across the city. Originally the trail extended from 75 to Preston, but recent additions allow travel all the way to Monroe Drive, almost to Harry Hines Blvd. The view of the trail, as seen below, is primarily the concrete path as it winds along the easement under the power lines, with houses along either side. The trail does go through some beautiful neighborhoods, so you can easily explore the surrounding areas if you are curious, and return to the path to continue your journey.

The Northaven trail crosses multiple major roads over the course of it’s 8.4 mile length. Unlike the White Rock Creek Trail which goes under the roads for a continuous ride, you’ll be crossing many busy streets. There are crosswalks with lights, to let you pass safely. The trail also crosses many residential roads. Make sure to follow the rules of the road, and watch out for cars.

The trail is funded and maintained by the Friends of Northaven Trail. There are several spots along the trail to stop and rest, get some water, or even repair a tire. These spots are also landscaped, showing the care that the organization puts into the trail. With a little map reading, you could currently continue a ride to White Rock from here, but you’ll have to ride on the roads to do so. While currently the trail is isolated from other local trails, there are plans to expand it and formally attach it to the White Rock Creek Trail, and the Campion Trail in Irving to the West.

Update: Plans are moving fwd to connect the trail via a bridge over Central Expressway to connect the trail to the Cottonwood trail, which does connect to the White Rock Creek Trail. Looks like the work will complete in 2023.