The biking trail quest in the Dallas area

Our son's first year of Boy Scouts they do a 50 mile bike ride. We started training with him and fell in love with biking. Now, it is usually a "mom and dad are going biking" event, but the biking trail quest is ongoing. 

Here are my requirements for a good biking trail:

1. paved

2. able to do 12-20 miles 

3. not too many hazards like cars, streets to cross, people, crazy fast cyclists

4. shaded is a bonus

Top Dallas trails:

1. AT&T Trail, Trinity Forest Trail - 8 miles one way

Park at 5850 Elam Rd. 8 mile trail through share, the Trinity River Audubon & Little Lemmon Lake. Get to the end of the trail, turn around, and ride back for 16 miles.

2. White Rock Creek Trail - as long as you want!

This trail goes all the way down to White Rock Lake.  I love the northern section of this trail. From our house we get on near Orbiter Park. I love riding behind the Greek Orthodox Church and going over the wooden bridges. At the end, the trail makes a circle and then you head south, all the way to White Rock Lake if you feel so inclined!

3. SoPAC Trail - 5.5 miles one way

This is my favorite trail from White Rock Lake north back to my house. You have to go on the grass after the Royal Oaks Country Club to get back on the White Rock Creek Trail, but the trail is so wide, shaded, and wonderful, it is worth it.

4. Santa Fe Trail - 4.7 miles one way

Park at the White Rock Lake spillway parking lot, go around the lake (9.2 miles), and then go on the Santa Fe Trail into Deep Ellum.

5. Preston Ridge Trail - 6.3 miles one way

Park on Spring Valley at the Coit intersection. You can go all the way to the George Bush. I don't like the street crossings, and there isn't any shade but this is an enjoyable trail.

6. Northaven Trail - 7.8 miles one way

Park at 10803 Freda Stern Dr.  I don't like the street crossings, and there isn't any shade but this is an enjoyable trail. It is fun to go behind Northaven UMC.

7. University Crossing Trail - as long as you want

Park at Ridgewood Park Recreation Center and head west. The bridge over Mockingbird is really fun. If you can go on a  workday when the Katy Trail might not be jam-packed with people, you can ride into downtown.