How lucky are we to have the Oak Leaf Trail in Milwaukee County? This stunning trail system spans 135 miles around Milwaukee County. It's paved and wide so great for any and all uses from walking and running to cycling and rollerblading. I've enjoyed beautiful walks on different parts of the trail as well as cycling. One of our favorite things to do in late summer is enjoy a long Sunday evening cycling session on the trail and then stop at one of the beer gardens that are easily accessed from the trail. Most recently, we cycled and ended at Estabrook Beer garden for some hard earned pretzels and beer. It's woodsy and lovely and, in my opinion. one of the many shining gems of our county. Get to it! read more

Oak Leaf Trail - Trail near Estabrook - Parks Near Me

This trail is so nice to go biking or on a scooter. Lucky to see such beautiful nature too. We loved seeing the wetlands! Everything felt so peaceful. We haven't discovered much but i can imagine that there are many more pretty sights in store for us. read more

Oak Leaf Trail - Parks Near Me

I'm not overly familiar with trails outside of Milwaukee and Ozaukee County but I feel like the Oak Leaf Trail is probably one of the best. It spans more than 135 miles, is made up of 9 branches, and connects to 6 more municipal trails. To the north, it moves into the Ozaukee Interurban Trail, which you can take all the way to Sheboygan. The Oak Leaf Trail is well maintained and wide enough for two lanes of "traffic." You feel like you are in the woods rather than in the middle of urban Milwaukee and, if you are lucky, get the occasional glimpse of wildlife. My dog and I love walking/running the trail in the Shorewood area (the Zip Line into the Milwaukee River Line). I have also been on most of the Menomonee Line and the northern section of the Milwaukee River Line that meets up with the Brown Deer Trail. I am not a biker, but it would be very convenient for travel between close municipalities. It is great for running (and walking). It really is a gem in Milwaukee County! read more

I'm a novice bike rider - until last fall, I hadn't been on a bike in more than 20 years, so I'm super uncomfortable riding in traffic. That's the great thing about the Oak Leaf - for the most part, you're riding on dedicated, decently maintained trails and not worrying about getting creamed by some douchebag doing the Milwaukee Slide. We're lucky that we live just a few blocks from the part of the trail that goes through Tosa, and we often ride that up to Capitol or Silver Spring. We've also taken the section north of Estabrook (nice and flat) and the south Shore part (the prettiest IMO). The Oak Leaf gives you 125 miles of trail and then connects up with things like the Hank Aaron and the Ozaukee Interurban. Generally the trails are nice and wide, with plenty of pretty views of nature. It's mixed use do expect joggers, strollers, walkers, cyclists and more. Yay for a really nice trail system - check it out! read more

I can tell this is a delightful city trail and we saw but a snippet of it.  We started our Sunday morning stroll by the Urban Ecology Center.  The trail is wide, well paved, and tranquil here. Where we were at was below grade and below a multitude of bridges and it felt like we were walking in a large, quaint outdoor subway.  There were intermittent encounters with courteous walkers, bikers, joggers, and dog walkers and it was nicely uncrowded at this time.  I definitely would like to see more of this extensive and locally renowned trail and plan to on future visits.  Thanks to Yelper Sarah P for her insightful trail review and tips. Note that there are two Yelp pages for this trail, but this is the more popular one. read more

See all

It seems to me that COVID has brought more of us outdoors for longer periods of time. That's true of me, too. This past two weeks, I have visited the Oak Leaf Trail no fewer than four times, and each time has been a winner. Sometimes I hop on from Hampton Avenue and head south. Other times, I have started at Brady Street or at the Milwaukee Art Museum. This Saturday, I started at Caesar Park, heading across the bridge over the dam and up the Beerline trail to Locust Street/Gordon Park. There I jumped over to the Oak Leaf by crossing the River towards Riverside High School and the Urban Ecology Center. For me, Oak Leaf is an oasis in our city, a change of pace, and a respite from auto traffic. It's also a fun way to see families at play, runners in action, and all of us looking pretty chill in our masks or adequately distanced. read more

Oak Leaf Trail is part of one of my favorite exercise walks near and about the Tosa village. The path bends and takes you along the Menomonee River Parkway and parallels (west) Honey Creek Parkway as well. I admire how the municipal parks takes care of the area. I feel like I'm miles away from the "city" when I walk the trail. At one point, a bridge crosses the Menomonee River. I can stand on that bridge and gaze at the rushing water all day. If you are a runner/jogger/walker for exercise and live in the area, I strongly encourage you to check it out for yourself! read more

See all

To know we have this wonderful trail, that extends throughout Milwaukee and beyond, plus it's well maintained through and through, is just simply amazing! I've taken this trail all the way down to Summerfest grounds and further in either direction. It's paved and wide and great to get around to just about anywhere in Milwaukee. Long summer jaunts are the best on the Oak Leaf. We even have a tiny sliver of it that runs through the back lot area of our Riverwest home. So much goes on around this trail such as the Riverwest 24. It's just a piece of what makes MKE such a great city. On the Beerline section through backside of Humboldt is another section we frequent. Walking the dog or going off the trail down to the river is the best. Cutting down the trail through the Eastside takes you past and under so much of the hecticness that's going on above. Pull the trail up on Google maps and see the expanse of it and how far you can go! Good stuff Wisconsin! read more

Oak Leaf Trail - North towards Mequon - Parks Near Me

See all

The oak leaf trail is truly a wonder within the city. As my husband and I have been walking a lot more during the pandemic, being able to hop on and off the trail to get where we're going adds the feeling of being in a park while being central to the city still. They've redone a lot of the paving in the last few years, which makes it all the nicer. And it's a nice, wide trail that can be easily shared with pedestrians, runners, cyclists etc. and for the most part people are courteous and share well! read more

This is Griffin (my doggie) and my new favorite trail in the city limits of Milwaukee. Mostly because it is a gem I found so close to my house and that it is full of other people in the area that appreciate a little nature break in the middle of their busy days. Note: My review is for the Greenfield area portion of the trail. read more

Oak Leaf Trail - Yes ladies and gentlemen, that's a parrot on a bike. Oh the things u see on the OLT :) - Parks Near Me

A true gem in the urban metropolis! I've spent 40 years riding, walking and hiking this trail and it never disappoints with the occasional owls, deer, fox, raccoons, and more! read more

O hai guise. Let it be known to Milwaukee: I ride bikes again -- well... one bike, really, but who's counting -- and I adore the Oak Leaf Trail. So awesome to feel so connected to nature right in the middle of the city. I always find myself taking really deep breaths while riding this trail. I once rode by a deer who was seemingly snacking on some foliage not more than three feet from the trail itself. He/she didn't bat an eye as I rode by. This was a stone's throw from Oak Leaf's Prospect "on-ramp." No lie. Sure, I wish that it extended to the south side past the Art Museum, and no, I don't like having to get off the trail and hit downtown traffic for a spell in order to get over to second street and subsequently home, but honestly? It really speaks to Milwaukee's amazing parks, green spaces, etc., that this trail exists. A by-product of sewer Socialism, perhaps? Who can say? (I'm sure someone can say.) All I know is: this trail is lovely, and it's lovely to ride it in the afternoons after I'm through with work for the day. If ever I find myself heading to Riverwest, Estabrook, or even the east side proper, the Oak Leaf Trail is my jam. read more

I am The Oak Leaf Trail. This is the name given to me by the people of Milwaukee. But I am nameless. I am infinite. I am eternal. They stride and ride across my scaled back as I lay, mostly buried, cooling my belly in the rich Earth left from ice ages past. My love enriches the plant life. It sustains the cute bunnies & squirrels & deer. I divide my physical presence and exist on two sides of the river at once. I dive deeper on the East Side and puddles form to cool my hide. Your feet massage me on cool, foggy mornings. Your dogs all piss on me. I slither under the city. My florescent, rainbowed, incandescent belly may never be seen by your species. You seem too foolish to comprehend my existence. Few of you gather hints. A faint rumble. A slight twitch. Periodically, I raise my head to peer at the night sky with a slitted vermilion eye. Your lights shroud the majesty above and block our true origin & singular connection, the stars. You and I, our energy is drawn from The Universe. Yet, you don't even install solar lights along my meandering black frame. It's dark under these trees at night, people. You can avoid hitting each other or getting mugged if you can see ahead of you. At least give yourself a chance. Anyway. Here I rest. Use me to safely reach The Estabrook Beer Garden. Or to enjoy communing with nature within your metropolis. Understand that I love you and want you to be safe and happy. If you please me, I will manifest further extensions of my magnificence for you to reach more destinations. Cross me and I will rise and destroy you. read more

You cannot dismiss the importance of having the Oak Leaf Trail in a city the size of Milwaukee. It is an amazing thing that city planners even had the foresight to take on a project like this. I bike the trail to get pretty much anywhere along the city's eastern half...I haven't even explored it's other expanses, which apparently covers over 100 miles! It is one of the many things that makes me really proud to call this place home. read more

Oak Leaf Trail - Parks Near Me

Oak Leaf Trail is a trail system with over 125 miles of trail for cyclinging or walking or running in Milwaukee County! Yes, 125 miles! Over our long weekend in Milwaukee, we found ourselves on the trail several times. We explored both the Lake Park Loop and the South Shoreline parts of the trail, which had amazing views of Lake Michigan. As a girl from North Texas who now lives in Nashville, I was floored by the parts of the trail we explored. It's amazing to have this green space and access to riverfront throughout the city. sometimes after a vacation you feel kind of gross and sluggish like maybe you gained five pounds. I don't feel that way after my trip to Milwaukee. That's because we spent so much time in gorgeous weather on this trail and in Milwaukee's parks walking and taking in gorgeous views. I'll be telling people that Milwaukee is definitely a place to go and that it's green space is really incredible. read more

I bicycle to commute and for pleasure, this trail is excellent for both. Most of it is very pleasant, parts are downright beautiful. It's a very convenient way to ride northwest-southeast across the north part of Milwaukee. Parts are hidden from the streets so at times it's actually hard to tell you're in the middle of an urban area. It goes a long way with interesting branches. There are only two minor inconveniences, first it's not very well patrolled by the MPD in spite of their extensive bicycle cop program, long parts aren't lit at all and as a result of how nice a trail it is, it can be pretty heavy traffic at times. read more

We're in the thick of summer here, so I felt it would be a good time to update one of the places I spend more time than any other during June, July and August. The oak leaf trail has been many things to me. It meanders all over the city, with bike lanes on roads connecting the off road trail. It includes: 1.) The beautiful urban (yet wooded) area by the lakefront - my "everyday" part of the trail that I have probably spent 1000s (literally) of hours on over the past couple decades. 2.) The path through estabrook park that makes the beer garden there so easy to get to. 3.) The sections way out by lovers lane and the menomonee river parkway that I've walked on many times during my lunch break. 4.) The sections that start at Cupertino park in Bayview and go way down the south shore into Cudahy offering really spectacular views of the lake (many from high above it) and the Milwaukee skyline in the distance. 5.) The trail that connects the Brady street area with riverwest, on a well paved trail between the river and Humboldt park, ending at Gordon park (and making the Tracks that much easier for me to get to.) 6.) There's a nice,long well-paved stretch on the northwest side, starting just past Lincoln park and Silver Spring Drive, continuing all the way up to connect to the Ozaukee Interurban Trail. It passes by meadows, woodsy areas, parks, and a few watering holes from 20-something days gone by (I see you, Thirsty Fox and Libby Montana) My grumblings: 1.) Some parts of it are super bumpy and need a good pave job. 2.) I have mentioned that I take the green line bus from Brady st to the airport when I need to take a trip out of town. When I'm on the "on road" portions of this trail along kk and 1st & am passed by the green line bus, I contemplate my life and wonder if I'll ever make it back on a plane again in one piece in this lifetime - cuz between the cars, buses, and opening car doors -- well, its a wee bit hair raising! Just kidding (sort of) - they've repaved part of KK but some parts are still a little rough. But overall a great great trail that I'm always glad to have in our city. Many cities have multi-use trails like this but I really think ours is five star worthy. read more

See all

I've been on this trail down on the east side and through Shorewood yet have recently been biking to work and taking it up by Brown Deer park. The trail connects to the inner-urban trail once you hit Ozaukee County. The trail has many side paths that lead through various parks and is clearly marked on if there are turns on the trail coming up or various streets to know where you are at. The other bikers and walkers all are very nice on the trail. The path starting at County Line Rd. in Brown Deer has been redone all the way down to around Brown Deer Park. The trail is extremely smooth and wide to pass with comfort. read more

Oak Leaf Trail - View from st Francis (having trouble zooming in with the cold hands) - Parks Near Me

I've always lived close to bike trails, whether it be the Bug Line, Interurban or now, the Oak Leaf.The Oak Leaf Trail just got cooler. Did you know that the trail was recently extended through Glendale? This means that there is now an easy, paved connection to the Interurban Trail. This drastically increases your pedal potential to Brown Deer, Mequon, Cedarburg, Grafton, Port Washington and beyond. There are some cool stops right off the trail too: Brown Deer Park, the Mequon pool, Libby Montana and Larry's Market. Why not make an afternoon out of it? I just rode from the new trail in Glendale to Cedarburg and back. It is just under twenty five miles and a great way to spend a late, Sunday morning. Happy trails! Other fun facts: For dog lovers, there are several pooch "pickup" stations located around the trail in case you forgot bags. Make sure to clean up after your pets to keep the trail in good condition for the other folks enjoying it. Safety tip: If you plan to stop for a rest, try and pull off of the trail in an area where other walkers/runners/bikers can see you. Blind corners do not make good stopping points. read more

I am an avid biker and use the trail all the time. Even though there are parts of the trail where the roads are in really lousy condition (like Menomonee River Parkway) or just a route on city streets, I still have to rate the trail as 5 stars. As other reviewers have noted, the trail itself is a real gem to Milwaukee County. The trail offers me so many choices! I love the fact that I can jump on the trail in Tosa and zip down to the Lakefront and then up to Whitefish Bay or maybe I want to head to Greenfield Park and catch the New Berlin Connector! Now that the trail is linking up to the Hank Aaron trail , there are more paved (including crushed gravel), non-city street riding options. This is just one of those Quality of Life things which make Milwaukee a great place to live! Ride On! read more

I feel bad about being the first person to give the trail less than five stars, but I feel it is a very fair reflection of the entire trail. I grew up in Cudahy, so the Grant Park to the South Shore Yacht Club was a daily ritual for me in summer. Now that I have lived in Tosa for the past 10 years, I have become very familiar with the trail from the Art Museum through the East Side all the way up the White Fish Bay. As much as I really miss my old "southside ride," I really enjoy the Northshore segment. It has a nice gentle uphill grade for the entire ride heading north resulting in an awesome downhill return trip. Very enjoyable! I also regularly ride through Tosa and the Hank Aaron Trail. My favorite part is going past Miller Park and the VA. Some great scenery! My only issue with the trails are the sections of surface roads that link the various paths and parkways. As much as I love the Hank Aaron trail, the section from the Harley Museum to the lakefront is by no means a safe and tranquil route. Another example is if you are heading north into downtown from Bayview, they "trail" goes along KK Ave. Always interesting dodging buses while avoiding potholes. Also, there are some areas of the bike path that are in desperate need of resurfacing. Don't see that happening anytime soon. Thanks Mr. Walker! Having said that, the trail truly is a gem in Milwaukee County's tarnishing crown. I love it! This town wouldn't be the same without it. read more

Oak Leaf Trail - Parks Near Me

See all

Great trail, but the portion North of Good Hope Rd. to South of Brown Deer Rd. isn't plowed of snow during the cold winter months. I usually ride Brown Deer Rd. heading West from Fox Point to the trail entrance I normally hook a right onto the trail & take it North to Cedarburg. This section of trail is maintained of snow all the way to Cedarburg. But, a few times I made a left & headed South to find a snow covered, icy trail. Not much fun!! Bike skating blows, plus I have to stay unclipped from the pedals to catch myself & keep from wiping out. The entire trail is absolutely beautiful & accessible during the warmer months. The portion around Riverwest is incredible with its tree lined path & giant limestone block walls along the sides. These retainer walls were built back when the trail was a railroad corridor. Two beer gardens to serve you, one in Estabrook Park & the other Hubbard Park Lodge just South of Capitol Ave. Nice to see the trails recent update. A new section was just completed heading North out of Estabrook Park leading towards Brown Deer Park. This too was previously old unused railroad track. Please stay to the right as you walk or pedal the trails. All passing should be done to the left. Passers: please sound out " ON YOUR LEFT " or ring a bell prior to passing. Lets keep it safe out there! read more

Oak Leaf Trail - Parks Near Me

The Oak Leaf Trail is over a hundred miles of amazing green corridor that snakes through our fair city. The vast majority of it is car-free and exclusively used by hikers, bikers, and joggers. No noise, no sucking in air pollution while you're working out, and no risk of being struck by cars. Instead of city sights you'll find critters and green green everywhere. It's a little country lane all to yourself that's hidden in the middle of a big rusty town. Over the years this trail has evolved from a haphazard collection of parkways and city lanes into a full-fledged network. Overpasses and new trail segments mean that you're not stuck waiting to cross a six-lane mega-intersection, instead you're flying past while the traffic is stalled below you. Recently they added the new Hank Aaron trail, a gorgeous stretch that cuts straight through the old Menomonee Valley industrial corridor. So even the center of town is just as doable as the periphery. Locals surely take this treasure for granted. Growing up here it seemed second nature that I could ride along this for miles safely away from traffic. But having seen the rest of the country I really appreciate that we have a rare and beautiful thing in the Oak Leaf Trail! With a little bit of planning, you can make it nearly anywhere and take the Oak Leaf for 90% of your trip. You get exercise and save on gas while minimizing your carbon footprint. MIlwaukee has the best quality of life you can find in America. And a big part of that is our public spaces: parks, golf courses, and *especially* the bike trail. read more

An absolute Milwaukee gem. Love seeing the many improvements over the years. This is a great way to get from the EastSide, Shorewood, Riverwest, etc... down to the lake. What's that? Sunny day with nothing to do? Oak leaf trail!!! read more

We had intended on going over to the Seven Bridges area but stopped by the tennis court entrance of the trail. What a beautiful way to reconnect with nature. (and mosquitoes) You literally could get lost here. (They do have maps throughout the trail.) We stuck on the same path to assure we would find our car. I only brought a cell phone, bug spray, sun lotion, and some water. My 9 year old daughter told several passers by I was forcing her to walk! This series of trails is biker, dog, and human friendly with a series of picnic areas thrown in. The scenery is beautiful and you forget you are near the city. Love it here! There was a 25 mile run and bike race going on and everyone was so friendly. We even saw a biker with his parrot mounted cage on the front of his bike. The parrots name was Buddy and talked only after we walked off. read more

I have been running the Oak Leaf Trail for years, and having spent countless hours and ran many, many miles, I think it's appropriate to finally share my two cents. This city has a lot of things going for it, but my favorite has to be this one. The scenery is absolutely gorgeous (especially if you're right near the lakefront), and even though you're right smack dab in the middle of the city, it also feels like you're secluded in your own small woodsie paradise. I think most of this trail is paved, which I like, and it is very well kept by the city. They must have certain times of the year where they go through and keep the trail especially clear of forest debris. On this trail I've seen deer, turkeys, ground hogs, and of course squirrels and chip monks. :) If you want a beautiful area to keep fit and enjoy some gorgeous scenery, I highly suggest hitting up the Oak Leaf Trail. read more

What's not to love about the miles of riding and recreational opportunities throughout our area? Recently, I rode Milwaukee to Mequon on trails. It was nice to have a car-free leisurely ride. read more

As soon as I arrived to Milwaukee one of the first things I did was search for great running and biking paths. Since I live just a few blocks from Lake Michigan I figured I would spend most of my time there, but in fact I have been biking, running and walking the Oak Leaf Trail more often than any other place. The trail, which is more than 114 miles, is well paved and wide enough for several runners or bikers to go by at the same time. It also has numerous on and off ramps that will let you stop off for a coffee or to explore a part of town. As a woman, I also appreciate the fact that it is a populated path. Seven years ago when I was here, the path was hardly ever used and I would not feel comfortable running it by myself. Now there are so many people using the trail that it feels completely safe. Also, there have been numerous times I have passed police officers on bikes just taking the path and looking out for those working out. And of man.. in the fall it is an absolutely GLORIOUS path! The trees are stunning. read more

I love the franklin portion of the oak leaf. If you do both sides all the way its about 9-ish miles. its paved and there is no traffic. Some people don't pick up after their dogs though and that's nasty. But the scenery is beautiful and calming. read more

See all

I'm not much of an outdoor runner and have been to the Oak Leaf Trail only a few times. but loved the experience. It's clean, well maintained and there's enough space for runners and bikers. One tricky part is that it doesn't have a short curve and you might end up going too far if you get the happy-high like I do. :-) There's also the Prospect Stairs that you can use to supplement your workout. The thing I like the most is the incline going up to Prospect: lunge-walk your way up and you'll feel them legs! read more

Oak Leaf Trail is one of my favorite biking trails in Milwaukee! It's pretty wide, and is used for biking, running, and skating. This trail is great for biking especially because it's paved, off the main road, and connects the major parks and spots in Milwaukee county. It is generally pretty safe as well, but always be aware of your surroundings :) read more

I love the Oak Leaf Trail. Is it perfect? It's pretty darn close. I most commonly use the stretch between Estabrook Park and the Art Museum, which is clean and well-maintained -- especially with some recent patchwork filling in holes by the Urban Ecology Center. It's not the widest of multi-use trails, so be careful of your fellow cyclists, joggers, and walkers. There aren't lights along the path; you'll want to plan accordingly if using it at nighttime. The Oak Leaf Trail is the perfect way to cut through town avoiding car traffic and stoplights -- especially during the summer with all the great festivities along the lakeshore. It's also pretty handy for planning out a beer garden bike tour. Yay! I'm a fan. read more

A little slice of nature right in the city. I like how this trail can take you out of that big city feel for an hour or two. It is a bit over crowded with bikers, walkers, roller bladers, you name it, but this is a long stretch and it's always good to get outside and explore! read more

hooligans throw stones at puddles as bikes race by choo choo! I'm a train! read more

How can you not like the oak leaf trail? It is well maintained, safe, clean, and seemingly ever expanding. What a great way to get around the city sans car! So many places can be reached either by bike or by foot. If anything, at times, the trail is too popular. read more

I love the Oak Leaf Trail. I bike on the trail almost daily during the summertime. My only complaint is that there are parts of the trail that need to be repaved as they are starting to erode. Once repaired, it will be 5* read more

We are spoiled to have the Oak Leaf Trail. It offers exercise and beauty to walkers, bikers, runners, roller-bladers, skateboarders, cross-country skiers, dog-walkers (and their dogs) commuters, kids, yuppies, professionals, students and fisherman of all walks of life. I bike the trail with my running dog (which I have 100% trained never to go onto the pavement) to and from work 3 to 5 days a week, every week of the year. Sometimes we use the pavement, sometimes the dirt trails along the river. We run into a little intolerance sometimes: usually warm-weather people who get on the trail a few times a year to see how fast they can peddle their kagillion-dollar bikes and act, when presented with kids or dogs, fail to slow down and act like they own the trail. But for the most part, everyone understands it belongs to all of us, and it's a great privilege to have it. But do be careful! There are bikers, including me, who like to go fast. Their's plenty of room, but please look both ways before entering the trail from a side path. A young woman entered the path on a bike 15 feet in front of me while I was moving fast at 20 mph. Since there was another fast biker in the opposite lane, I couldn't swerve, and ran into her after trying unsuccessfully to stop on time. I took the fall. Lucky for her she didn't go down. And lucky for me, all injuries were minor, requiring only some pity from friends, and a few beers and advils (not at the same time, of course! - beer first, advil next day!) read more

I was off of my bike for a decade, after being hit by a car and nearly killed. On my first few rides after hopping back on, I probably resembled a puppy that has anxiety issues so I stayed off the roads and got to know many different segments of the Oak Leaf very well. My personal favorite portion of the trail is the section from Grant Park north to the area around Palomino and Cactus Club. I probably rode this section 5 times a week during warmer weather, and in the early morning the trail is more than likely yours. There are a ton of short, unpaved spurs that connect the trail to the bluffs over the lake that allow for some exploration with a low level of commitment. My one complaint is sure to offend the dog walkers among us. At times, people walking their pooches are completely oblivious to others using the trail. On several occasions, I've nearly crashed because an undisciplined dog owner has allowed their pup too much leash and the poor thing gets spooked as I come around a turn. This could result in serious injury to a rider and could potentially end worse for the pooch. All in all, the Oak Leaf Trail is a great asset for Milwaukee County and is to be appreciated by riders of all levels, from novices all the way up to bike shop all stars. read more

REALITY CHECK: The downtown/eastside portion of this trail is CITY and to traverse either by bike or on foot is safer in tandem with another co-biker/walker. Wear a whistle around your neck, or carry pepper spray, and be ever alert: You are not on a stroll to grandma's house....but in an urban area. Yes the trail is used much more frequently which ups the "safety in numbers" quotient, and is patrolled by law enforcement but even a beauty-filled setting takes awareness and preparation. read more