Santa Fe Trestle Trail

Texas

3 Reviews

The Santa Fe Trestle Trail—the first off-road trail in Dallas to cross the Trinity River—opened for use in late 2011. The centerpiece of the trail is a steel rail trestle that was originally built for the Gulf, Colorado and Santa Fe Railway Company in 1879. The current bridge was built by the Missouri Valley Bridge and Iron Company in 1903-1904.

While most of the rest of the abandoned corridor was taken by DART in 1992 for a light rail line, the agency opted to construct a new rail bridge over the Trinity instead of using the old trestle. The newer light rail bridge is clearly visible to those using the Santa Fe Trestle Trail, providing a constant reminder of the rich railroad history of the region.

Although a relatively short trail at just under 1 mile long, the Santa Fe Trestle Trail provides great connectivity for the residents of the neighborhood of Oak Cliff. In the west, the concrete trail begins close to the DART station at 8th and Corinth streets and ends in the east at the Trinity floodway at Riverfront Boulevard. Along its route, the trail provides access to the Dallas Wave whitewater park and offers beautiful views of both the Trinity River and Great Trinity Forest, through which the river snakes. Trail users should keep their eyes open for a variety of birds that live or migrate near the river and forest.

Parking and Trail Access

To access the Santa Fe Trestle Trail, park at the DART station overflow parking lot near 8th and Corinth streets.

Short

June 2016 lora37tx

I walked this trail with my dog on a Friday morning in June. On one hand I liked that no one was on the trail, but good human interaction was missed. The parking area is adequate and clean. The trails walkway also leads to Moore Park which I think makes this area great for a walkathon. But the trail itself is short (.86 of a mile) and secluded. I wouldn't suggest going alone or at night.

My peace of mind

November 2014 steelerlady

I was a little apprehensive to walk the trail at first because I thought the smell of the trinity would over power me or I would see snakes but I just decided to do it and I'm so very happy I did because once I stepped on the trail it was so beautiful you can see downtown dallas and once you get to the bridge its amazing I love the bridge and you look down and you see the cascading water flow its absolutely breathtaking I go every chance I get. So you not only get a workout you get a peace of mind. ENJOY!! :-)

Beautiful Trail!

February 2013 choderus

What a great trail this is! You can tell that a LOT of money was put into this project. The trail starts off near the DART Rail Station at 8th & Corinth and winds down, around, over, and past the Trinity River finishing up near the end of Riverfront (Industrial) Blvd. It connects to the Trinity Levee Trails here.

This trail offers outstanding views of Downtown Dallas from the lesser-seen southern side. The DART trains scurry back & forth overhead, breaking the sound of silence. The trail is immaculate from end to end and offers a place to sit and rest on the elevated section near the 1903 Steel Pratt Truss. The sounds of the Trinity rushing by are very relaxing. I was told that the Corinth Street Viaduct is lit up at night and is beautiful combined with the Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge and Downtown Dallas lights. I will have to see for myself...very soon!

Santa Fe Trestle Trail

Texas

3 Reviews