The trailhead is located at the south west corner of the paved trail running between the Playground and the Basketball court. The trail it self is set up in a series of stacked loops. At the trail head you have the option of going right or left.
To the right is the first section of trail built at Salem during the Hot Spots program. This section of flowing singletrack winds through the woods on the northern edge of the park. Numerous stainless steel and Sterling silver forks found out here during the construction of the trail and it thus has the “unofficial” name North Forks Trail. The trail empties from the woods at an old neighborhood trail built and maintained by local residents to access the park.
If you headed left at the trailhead this is where you'd be immediately, but after going right at trailhead you can continue along the trail here, you will wind slowly up a small hill through a wide expanse of blackberry bushes. You then head south and stay to the left and continue with the southern loops through open fields and some wooded areas. Eventually you loop back and come out right back at the trailhead. Easy to Intermediate loops, with no excessively difficult uphills and can be flowing and fast at times.
A decent city trail. Nothing too crazy. About 4 miles of trail that meander the small woods and prairie areas of Salem Hills park. Friendly enough for a beginner, but also enough roots and rocks to keep an intermediate rider interested. Do a couple laps and you can get in a solid work out.
If you're in the area it's a good ride.
| ThankDefinitely not the best that you can get in the twin cities. A good amount of the track is rooted so you can easily catch a pedal if you're not being careful. There's nothing technical about it so it would be good for someone just starting out. Good for an after work ride and to build endurance.
| ThankFirst the positive: Trail is well marked and easy to follow. An informative placard at the head of the trail provides a first-timer all they need to know. Easy to find the trail head from the parking lot. The trail design itself is not too difficult and good for those beginning looking for a quick after-work ride. Good mix of woods and prairie. One full lap comes in around 4.5 mi with options to break that up if desired.
The negatives have mostly to do with the condition of the trail and upkeep. I rode in the last week of July - lots of trail growth that needs whacking back. As stated in a previous review, the trail is rutted out in some of the areas. I found it difficult to see very far ahead on the trail and fought the narrow rut frequently. More difficult to flow. Trail in its current condition is better for my less experienced family members that travel slower. Those issues made me drop to 2 stars from 3 stars.
| ThankTrail is pretty grooved out. You'll hit your pedals on the side quite a bit... Feels like riding a shoot/slide. Pretty flat, about to small climbs in the course. You'll ride between wooded areas and over grass plains. Good place to take newer riders or the family. No advanced or black level areas to be had here.
| ThankIt's a nice afterwork ride. Fast and well built. Could be busy on the weekends since it's located in a populated area
| ThankThere's a lot to like here. Trail is approachable by beginners. There's great scenery and it's close to the highway. I road twice 1st slow to get the lay of the land and map it, then faster. This trail wants to be ridden hard. Lots of the trail, especially in the grassy areas in the S on"Prairie Fire" feel like cattle trail,or machine cut, and its loaded with sand and marbles. In lots of it if you ride it hard you get up on the edges out of the bad stuff. For instance after a board walk on the SE side some where, over stagnate water, if you atack the up The uphill hard and press straight through the sand pit with some speed, you can rail the berm. :) wooded areas are more packed in and straight up fun. All trails marked as one way and I'm not sure I like the way they chose, think it would flow better the other. Someone keeps grass cut back. 3 stars not epic but fun and I'll do it many times as it is close to my haunts.
| ThankGood beginner trail, or just a good work out trail.
| ThankThis is a nice after work or beginner ride. All single track. The trail is a quick 5 miles in and out of woods.
| ThankThe trailhead is located at the south west corner of the paved trail running between the Playground and the Basketball court. The trail it self is set up in a series of stacked loops. At the trail head you have the option of going right or left.
To the right is the first section of trail built at Salem during the Hot Spots program. This section of flowing singletrack winds through the woods on the northern edge of the park. Numerous stainless steel and Sterling silver forks found out here during the construction of the trail and it thus has the “unofficial” name North Forks Trail. The trail empties from the woods at an old neighborhood trail built and maintained by local residents to access the park.
Continuing on along the trail, you will wind slowly up a small hill through a wide expanse of blackberry bushes. During the right time of year, and if the weather has been nice, handfuls are available without ever getting off the bike. Just watch out, it is real easy to come out of this section of trail looking like you just had a wrestling match with a housecat on crystal meth, thus the “unofficial” name of the trail, Blood and Blackberries. (Trail review by James Ford)
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