Cedar Ridge Preserve

Trail
10.00 Miles
N/A
N/A
3point5stars (3.54)27
2point5stars (2.56)
2stars (2.15)
N/A
No
No
N/A
Dallas
Dallas
More Info
Photos
Lizard on Cedar Brake Trail
Lizard posing for pics on Cedar Brake Trail. (Photo by GayleMg)
Butterfly Garden from Little Bluestem trailhead
Entrance to Little Bluestem Trail. (Photo by GayleMg)
Butterfly Garden from Little Bluestem trailhead
Entrance to Little Bluestem Trail. (Photo by GayleMg)
Cactai in the Ice
It is unusual to see these covered in snow and ice! (Photo by Pitmaster)
Stream Crossing
I expected to see a natural ice sculpture here today, but it was still beautiful encrusted with ice and snow! (Photo by Pitmaster)
The icy trail
It was quite a workout negotiating the trail covered in ice. Even Zach chose to leave the icy path in favor of the slightly softer surface in the woods. (Photo by Pitmaster)
Along the Trail
View of a section of trail. (Photo by Pitmaster)
Bridge Crossing
One of several bridges along the trail. (Photo by Pitmaster)
Solitary Bench
A short off-shoot trail brings you to this secluded spot with a view of a valley in the park. (Photo by Pitmaster)
Water in the stream
Zach grabbing a drink along the hike! (Photo by Pitmaster)
Contrasting Colors
Lots of varying foliage on this trail. (Photo by Pitmaster)
After Cedar Breaks Hike at Lookout
I am using Cell, I forgot to bring better camera on this hike. (Photo by CedrHillr)

Only showing last 12 photos. View All Photos

Log Entries
Cedar Brake Trail
By GayleMg on 10/9/2022
Rating: 4stars Difficulty: 2point5stars Solitude: 1star
Distance: 2.50 Miles Duration: N/A
This was more of a workout for me than yesterday, when I did Little Bluestem, Possumhaw, and the Butterfly Garden. The Cedar Brake Trail is more difficult, with a number of serious ups and downs. It's very pretty scenery and somewhat well traveled, but not too crowded on a Sunday. The side route to a senic overlook is a little underwhelming. It was an overlook I guess, but not very scenic. I think in the winter, when the trees are bare you could see farther. I just saw more trees. I enjoyed finding a little lizard basking by the Trail and he let me take few pictures. He didn't mind all the hikers clomping past. I'm sure he's used to it. I had a great hike.
This is for the Butterfly Garden, Little Bluestem, and Possumhaw Trails
By GayleMg on 10/8/2022
Rating: 5stars Difficulty: 1point5stars Solitude: halfstar
Distance: 1.00 Mile Duration: N/A
I love the Butterfly Garden for strolling and looking at the flowers and pollinators. The Little Bluestem Trail is short and easy for strollers and wheelchairs and good for a warm up for the other trails. The Possumhaw Trail is fairly easy with a few ups and downs, pretty scenery, and numbered points of interest and a self-guided trail guide (available online). It was a nice reintroduction to hiking, since I had not done it for a long time.
By Supersuz76 on 5/21/2016
Rating: 4stars Difficulty: 2stars Solitude: halfstar
Distance: 3.00 Miles Duration: N/A
Pretty Popular in Cedar Hill.
By Brooke_Lee on 2/11/2016
Rating: 3point5stars Difficulty: 2stars Solitude: 2point5stars
Distance: 4.00 Miles Duration: N/A

I have been going to this park for the past couple of years since I have started my hiking adventures across Texas. It's always a great place to introduce new hikers to our little addiction. But if you are looking for a lone walk in some wooded areas, then this is not the place for you. A lot of people do flock here because you do not have to pay to get in but there is a suggested donation for three dollars to get in. There are some great walks and overlooks that you can see the lake, and Dallas, and a beautiful little creek near Cattail Pond.

PossumHaw Trail
By Pitmaster on 12/11/2013
Rating: 4stars Difficulty: 1point5stars Solitude: 2point5stars
Distance: 0.90 Mile Duration: 45 minutes

Despite being one of the shortest trails, I find this to be one of the prettiest ones here at the the Dallas Nature Center (recently renamed by the Audobon society). 

I chose this trail today because the recent ice storm was just now thawing out and I wasn't sure of the trail conditions.  While not a long hike, I got quite a workout negotiating the mostly icy trail, yet the beauty of the frozen landscape was spectacualar!

Cedar Brake Trail
By Pitmaster on 12/4/2013
Rating: 4stars Difficulty: 4stars Solitude: 4stars
Distance: 2.40 Miles Duration: 50 minutes

I hike this trail a lot as it a perfect length for a weekday workout.  It has varied surfaces, elevations and landscape.  There are no real vistas on this trail, although they have recently added a short side trail with a bench overlooking one of the valleys in the park.  While most of this trail can be hiked after rain, there is one small stretch where the "gum-mud" holds water and permanently adheres to boots and clothing if the area has not sufficently dried.
 

Overall Great hike
By True10 on 8/5/2011
Rating: 3stars Difficulty: 4stars Solitude: 3stars
Distance: 10.00 Miles Duration: N/A

Over the past two months I have the entire preserve and some trails twice in reverse. I like the trails especially in this heat wave because there is alot of tree cover but still some great views. The pond was very nice, small but nice. The scenic overlooks were elevated and worth the stop. The trail choices are good if you different lengths and difficulty levels when hiking on a time schedule or health level.

By D.Sirius60 on 12/26/2010
Rating: 2point5stars Difficulty: 2point5stars Solitude: 1point5stars
Distance: 4.00 Miles Duration: N/A

Lots of people on Sunday, even though it was muddy and temp. was in the low 40's.  Up and down through the creek bottoms, lots of Cedar (as expected), Audobon Society has added nature trail, butterfly garden, education center, very good for families, due to lack of eco-diversity and wildlife I rate it behind Fort Worth Nature Center. but it is a must do hike in DFW area.

Great hike if not muddy.
By erika_harper13 on 1/18/2010
Rating: 4stars Difficulty: 2stars Solitude: 1star
Distance: 6.00 Miles Duration: N/A
Cattail and Fossil Valley
By ddurante on 12/20/2008
Rating: 3stars Difficulty: 2stars Solitude: 1star
Distance: 3.30 Miles Duration: 2 minutes

This was a nice hike for the morning.  We started out on Cattail Trail and then cut off on Fossil Valley down to the pond.  This was scenic with lots of bridges over dry creek beds and there was some elevation points too, which gets the heart pumping.  We circled around the pound area and walked down a dry creek bed for a bit.  Then back to the fossil trail looping bck to Cattail and to the truck.  It was humid and about 65 deg.  A nice morning hike.

Only showing last 10 log entries. View All Log Entries

Recommended Item
Recommended Item 60 Hikes Within 60 Miles: Dallas, Fort Worth: Includes Tarrant, Collin and Denton Counties
Joanie Sánchez
List Price: $16.95 Your price: $6.99 Buy Now
It’s Time to Take a Hike in Texas!

The best way to experience the Dallas-Fort Worth area is by hiking it. Enjoy the rugged trails of Eagle Mountain Park. Discover ancient dinosaur tracks at Dinosaur Valley State Park. Visit the Fort Worth Nature Center’s bison range and prairie dog town for an up-close look at the wildlife. Local author and hiking expert Joanie Sanchez has selected the best hikes within a 60-mile radius of the DFW metroplex. This perfect blend of popular trails and hidden gems transports you to scenic overlooks, wildlife hot spots, and historical settings that renew your spirit and recharge your body.

With Sanchez as your guide, you’ll learn about the area and experience nature through 60 of its best hikes. The author provides expert tips about where to go and what to expect when you get there. Plus, each hike description features key at-a-glance information on distance & configuration, hiking time, difficulty, scenery, traffic, trail surface, and accessibility, as well as details about the history and natural history of the area. GPS-based trail maps and elevation profiles, along with clear directions to the trailheads, help to ensure that you always know where you are and where you’re going.

Whether you’re a local looking for new places to explore or a visitor to the area, 60 Hikes Within 60 Miles: Dallas–Fort Worth provides plenty of options for a couple hours or a full day of adventure, all within about an hour from Dallas, Fort Worth, and the surrounding communities.