Big Cedar Wilderness DORBA Trails

Located on the property of Mountain Creek Community Church, this network of looped trails are a hiker's, runner's and mountain biker's dream. Seemingly endless loops, all arising from the main trail around the perimeter, make for almost equally endless combinations for a truly customized run, hike or ride. The trails' inter-looping segments can be confusing, and while there's signage, it's recommended you get and use a map to avoid going around in circles. The top of the main perimeter trail is perched on the highest elevation in Dallas, about 1100 feet up from the trailhead, which can be found across from the church on Isom Road. The parking lot at the trailhead is gated and free. The church provides restroom facilities and water.

The trails' surfaces are single-track and natural, some of them converted from old jeep and fire roads, and they meander through a forest of cedar and hardwood, after which they drop quickly into a valley replete with mesquite trees and cactus. Several features include bridges and bicyclist's obstacles, and steep climbs and descents over the relentless hills. The trails are marked as to difficulty, the Ranger being the easiest, so you and your fur-pup can choose how much of a workout you both need and are capable of. From the summit you'll find furbulous views of Joe Pool Lake and the surrounding area as well as distant hills and urban sprawl of Dallas. 

The Big Cedar Ridge Trails site features picnic tables with grills, 2 playgrounds and 2 observation platforms, so before or after your hike, grab a lunch or snack and hunker down with your furry bestie, or hang out at the playground with the human kiddos you may have brought along. The trails are more than forest and desert: they're gilded with furtastic wildflowers and birdsong in the spring and summer. 

Don't let the DOBRA (Dallas Off Road Bicycling Association) in the  name discourage you from running or hiking these trails. While DOBRA does maintain them and develop new ones, foot traffic is welcome. This set of trails may just be the pawrfect solution to wanting to get away from it all with your fur-baby in Dallas!