Dallas’ growing hike and bike trail system is helping to lead the way to cleaner air in the Metroplex in a very basic, healthy and sustainable way. It’s also becoming easier to get from here to there without having to dodge traffic and generate pollution. In addition to cleaner air and other environmental benefits, the trails are very important in Dallas because they open areas up and connect people without driving.

The recent opening of the 2.5-mile Northaven Trail, which stretches from just north of Royal Lane, from Central Expressway to Preston Road, brings the Dallas Hike & Bike trail system to a total of 114 miles. Many components comprise small neighborhood loops and linear trails.

The city of Dallas Parks and Recreation Department is slowly but steadily stitching together a system that connects what have been disjointed neighborhoods and parks to DART rail stations, shopping centers and major employment centers. There are 12 trail projects in the works that will bring the mileage count to 125, or almost half of the 280 miles of trails in the Dallas Bike Trail Master Plan.

Here’s a look at some of the longer trails:

Turtle Creek Trail: This concrete trail is 2.1 miles long and eight feet wide, along Turtle Creek Boulevard, in the Oaklawn area. Access is from Turtle Creek and Maple Avenue. NorthavenTrail.org.

Cottonwoood Trail: This linear concrete trail, of 2.9 miles will eventually connect North Dallas to white Rock Lake, the Arboretum and south to Fair Park. Currently, it connects Spring Valley to the White Rock Creek Trail. DallasParks.org/Downloads/Trails/TurtleCreek.pdf.

Katy Trail: This popular 3.5-mile concrete trail travels through the city’s northern core and runs from Lyle Street to Airline Drive. KatyTrailDallas.org.

Preston Ridge Trail: A 5.3-mile linear concrete trail in the heart of North Dallas, mainly along Meandering Way. It starts near the intersection of Spring Valley and Coit roads and ends close to the Collin County line. A future phase will extend into Collin County, ending at Frankford Road and the Bush Turnpike. PrestonRidgeTrail.org.

Trinity Levee Trail: A 6-mile linear trail made of crushed stone. It runs along the levee top from Mockingbird Lane to Sylvan Avenue. DallasTrinityTrails.Blogspot.com.

White Rock Creek Trail: A 7.7-mile concrete path that connects North Dallas to the tip of White Rock Lake. Access is from Valley View Park, off Hillcrest Road, just north of Interstate 635. On the south side, you can park at Greenville Avenue and Royal Lane or off Merriman Road, near Abrams. WhiterockTrail.org

White Rock Lake: One of the most popular routes in the city, a 9.5-mile loop around Dallas’ historic lake. WhiteRockDallas.org.

Source: Dallas Parks and Recreation Department