Name: DORBA Trail (Medium)
Rating: 3.5

“The DORBA Medium trail extends the DORBA Short trail to 8 miles.”

— Mike Williams

Features Birding · Lake · Views · Wildlife

The trail is closed when wet. Check the DORBA website (www.dorba.org) or download the DORBA app or MTB Project app for current conditions.

Description

The DORBA Trail (Medium) at Cedar Hill State Park extends the DORBA Trail (Short) to 8 miles. It is a natural surfaced, multi-use (mountain biking and hiking/running) loop trail that runs along the edge of Joe Pool Lake. The trail is not difficult, but does have a few short, steep, and/or eroded sections. There are facilities at the trailhead, but none on the trail. There is no water available along the trail, so be sure to bring your own!

At the trailhead, start on the DORBA Trail (Short). Be sure to bear right and hike the trail counterclockwise so that you'll be facing oncoming bike traffic. At the first intersection, bear right onto the DORBA Trail (Medium). At the next intersection, follow the Medium Trail to the left and return to the intersection with the Short Trail and return to the trailhead on it.

The trail is maintained by the Dallas Off-Road Bicycle Association and is a popular place to ride. I avoid hiking the trail on weekends and holidays due to the high volume of visitors. The trail winds through stands of cedar and hardwood forest as well as grasslands along the shore of the lake. There are benches every mile or two if you want to take a break and it is quiet enough to hear the sounds of nature. This is a fun hike along a very pretty trail!