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The Arbor Hills Trail is a 3-mile loop through the Arbor Hills Nature Preserve. The paved pathway through the 200-acre wooded preserve also offers access to unpaved hiking and mountain biking trails.
About the Route
Only 20 miles north of downtown Dallas, the tree-lined Arbor Hills Trail snakes through the nature preserve. The loop is accessible from both the north and south end of the Arbor Hills Nature Preserve parking lot. The paved trail consists of two connected loops through the preserve. The bigger of the two loops is accessible from the parking lot. The entry points for the second loop sit on the western end of the initial loop. As the loop meanders through the preserve, it passes over a stream in two places and provides access to numerous unpaved trails throughout the nature preserve.
The Arbor Hills Nature Preserve also has multiple picnic tables right off the Arbor Hills Trail, located near the parking lot area.
Parking is available at 6701 W. Parker Rd., Plano (Arbor Hills Nature Preserve).
Just watch out for the tarantulas
There’s 3 different sort of biomes I guess, prairie, creek forest, and normal forest. We got lost twice in the Creek forest. It was great.
Took me 20 minutes to just exit the parking lot since there was no parking and an incredible mass of people not even bothering to wear masks. Big waste of time and gas money bothering to go up there and not have access.
With the high volume of pedestrians and dog walkers using the concrete paths, riding a bike at anything over a casual pace will be a rare occasion. Since most of the off-road trails are "pedestrian only", except for the small patch of DORBA trail on the southern border of the park, most of the scenic areas of the park are off limits, unless you are willing to hoof it. That's a shame, because the "pedestrian only" trails are lightly manicured and would make for a great, low-impact ride for those not wanting to ride the rougher DORBA trail.
Again, nice park, but I don't see myself going back for another visit.
Great views, mixed use park. Favorite park thus far for concrete. decent MTB
Took my dog hiking here 12/28/16 and was impressed with trails, signage and overall size of the preserve. I challenge anyone living close to the area to try it out. I saw several families with children enjoying the unseasonably warm weather.
Great
Beautiful trail for biking or running. I go often with a friend or two. Little busier than other trails I've been on but still quiet and away from roads.
Best kept secret - this Nature Preserve is in the heart of the suburbs! I have been enjoying The Hills (trail running & walking the dogs) for many years now, and it's a great place for families and for a quick escape. There are numerous hiking trails off of the concrete. If you're a mountain biker, there is a DORBA (Dallas Off-Road Bicycle Association) maintained Mountain Bike trail. The course is considered intermediate. You can do a quick search on the City of Plano's website for more information about Arbor Hills and Plano's other great parks.
It is a nature preserve so you might see coyotes, bobcats, small critters, tarantulas, scorpions and beware of the copper heads in the summer.
If you're looking for a great place to get away for a few hours, come enjoy The Hills!
This is my main spot for skating when it comes to the downhill adventures, beautiful scenery, and secluded trails that lead to various chill spots to relax. Weither its chilling at the fort, the lookout, or the many many creek entrances its a perfect combination for what a nature enthusiast and skating speed demon want. Steep, long inclined hills, nice shaded paths, many chill spots much of which are secluded off the main trail.
My only complaint is watch out for its rush hours, it can get congested with many walkers, runners, and bike riders. These people aren't the nicest when it comes to incoming traffic passes by, yet others enjoy it and laugh out of entertainment. Most Texans aren't as accumulated to skateboards and their riders.
This is a people/pet friendly park. It has cement as well as dirt trails so you can walk/run/bike rain or shine. But take the word "hills" in the name seriously...even in DFW. It has off road trails dedicated to mountain bikes. Bikes are allowed on the cement and designated mountain bike trails.
In the Spring and Fall, you'll find lots of people taking professional family photos because the scenery is so beautiful. There's a great park with picnic tables so bring the kids. If it's a beautiful weekend, you may have trouble finding a parking spot so go early in the day. It's pet friendly if you leash and scoop.
Tried this trail out today on our bikes. They're retro Huffy, old school with foot brakes, not mountain or ten speeds. The trails were very nice. It wasn't too packed, considering Father's Day. The loop of three miles took us about 18-20 minutes. Humidity kicked our &$/@$)!! Will definitely give it a try again when cooler.
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