Thanks to local biking and running enthusiast, Josh, along with Lane, Ben and Chris we now have a new trail to run/bike in the area. It is downtown along side the paved Riverfront Greenway. The trail is new and is still in development with plans to expand it in the future.
You can get on it by jumping on the paved part of the Riverfront Trail near the visitors center downtown (Finishline of the Marathon) and heading toward Cox Landing (North). You will go under the train trestle and then over a small bridge. Just after the bridge about 20-30 yards the trailhead will be on your left.
The trail is currently marked with Pink tape on trees and bushes. You will follow this all the way until you reach the nature trail just past the next train trestle you go under (about a mile). One spot is where you cross over the paved trail. Once you come back to the paved trail again you will cross over to the opening just ahead on the other side of the paved trail. From there just follow the trail to the nature trial opening. Through this first portion of the trail you will see some technical sections so make sure to pay attention to your footing.
Once you get to the nature trail you run on a slight slant right through the open area. You will see a bridge/overlook on your right. Take the downward slope just left of the overlook path. Follow the nature trail around until you get to the paved riverfront trail. Take a left onto the paved trail and follow that for about 100 yards or so. On your left you will see the opening to go back onto the nature trail to finish the nature trail loop. You can run this part in reverse if you wanted, just take a left once you get to the nature trail opening and follow the directions in reverse.
Once you get back to where you came onto the nature trail, you just run the new trail in reverse back to the start. Out and back is just over 3 miles when including the portion ran on the paved trail at the start and finish.
As I mentioned, this trail is still new and will see some improvements and expansions so check back for updates. Makes sure to go out and check it out to show support for the project.
**Update** The trail has been expanded to go beyond the nature trail. Once you get to the nature trail, continue on your right and downward from the overlook. Continue on the nature trail. On your right hand side you should see the pink flags, this marks where to enter onto the extended trail. Follow the trail until it reaches the clearing up by the road. This section has about two more steep/slippery drop offs (climbs coming back), it is soft with some rough areas since it is new. That is the current end of the expanded trail. The GPD route can be seen below. There are few spot where you can move over to the paved trail if you decide you want to take the Greenway back to the start.
GPS of the trail
Photos of the trail at various spots. Photos by Chris of Wild Side Running (www.wildsiderunning.com).
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