CEDAR CITY — With two new trail projects complete, Cedar City now has nearly 13 miles of paved trails – one of which leads walkers into juniper-dotted hills where they can admire the sprawling valley below.
The Southview Trail and Old Sorrel/Cross Hollow Trail projects were both completed the week of Nov. 14 after being under construction since September, Ken Nielson, Cedar City’s leisure services director, said.
The trails are currently open to the public, who need not fear winter storms, as Nielson said the city would plow the paths if needed.
The Southview Trail project involved constructing new segments to connect it to the East Bench Trail, which can be accessed from the “C” Trailhead parking lot.
With the new segments completed, the trail continues from the Southview Trailhead to Coal Creek Trail and up north to Bicentennial Park, Nielson said, adding that the city now boasts almost 13 miles of paved trails.
The Southview Trailhead can be found on South Shurtz Canyon Drive, where users also can access the Iron Hills Trails System, which includes the Lichen It and Iron Giant trails.
While the Old Sorrel/Cross Hollow Trail is complete and currently about .8 miles long, the middle phase, which will connect that segment to the existing Cross Hollow Trail near the Silver Silo Bakery, will be constructed at a later date, Nielson said.
Nielson said the Old Sorrel/Cross Hollow Trail possesses the “best views of any trail we have.”
To gain access, walkers can park at the Cross Hollow Arenas parking lot and wander up the meandering trail to take in views of the city below and the snowy mountains in the distance.
The arena parking lot will be open to the public unless it is holding a ticketed event, but if the gate is closed, users can access the trail at the other end from the detention basin near Cross Hollow Road, Nielson said.
In the spring, the city plans to install amenities, such as signs, trash receptacles and benches on both trails, Nielson said, adding that he hopes Cedar City residents, whether they walk, scoot or bike, “get a lot of outdoor use” from the trails.
“We’re just tickled to death to have two completed in a season,” he said. “So that’s a big deal for us and it makes them connected on the Southview, which was a big goal of ours. And then also to give that scenic view out at Old Sorrel – it’s just a great trail for families to use.”
Find more information about Cedar City’s trails online.
Photo Gallery
The Southview Trailhead, Cedar City, Utah, Dec. 8, 2022 | Photo by Alysha Lundgren, Cedar City News The view from the Old Sorrel Trail, Cedar City, Utah, Dec. 8, 2022 | Photo by Alysha Lundgren, Cedar City News The Old Sorrel Trail, Cedar City, Utah, Dec. 8, 2022 | Photo by Alysha Lundgren, Cedar City News The view from the Old Sorrel Trail, Cedar City, Utah, Dec. 8, 2022 | Photo by Alysha Lundgren, Cedar City News The Old Sorrel Trailhead in the Diamond Z Arena parking lot, Cedar City, Utah, Dec. 8, 2022 | Photo by Alysha Lundgren, Cedar City News The view from the Southview Trailhead, Cedar City, Utah, Dec. 8, 2022 | Photo by Alysha Lundgren, Cedar City News
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