On a sunny February afternoon, with the temperature hovering around 40 degrees, Kylie and Joni Quinn of Cottonwood Heights walked their two dogs around Salt Lake City's Liberty Park. It's a classic place to get some exercise as it offers two sidewalks, a wood chip path and a pond, were flocks of ducks and geese provide entertainment.
"The dogs love the birds," said Kylie Quinn. "And I like to get in a couple of good laps around the park."
As the Quinns have discovered, walking is the easiest, cheapest, and according to some experts, the best exercise around.
So if gyms, yoga studios and TRX classes just aren't your style, here are 10 great places to take a walk in northern Utah.
1. Jordan River Parkway » This 40-mile trail that stretches between Utah and Davis counties -- and winds its way through the heart of Salt Lake County-- might be northern Utah's premier path for runners, walkers, bikers and those on rollerblades. Because of its low elevation, snow melts fast making it a good option for winter walking. There are numerous trailheads, parks and rest rooms, mostly at major intersections and roads running east and west. The river supplies shade trees, wetlands and wildlife. Be aware that there are still a few gaps in the trail, mainly in South Jordan and in Salt Lake City.
2. Parleys Creek » This trail will eventually stretch from the mouth of Parleys Canyon and the Bonneville Shoreline Trail
3. Decker Lake » The 1.2-mile paved trail around Decker Lake offers nice scenery. It can be accessed at 2300 West South Parkway Blvd. (2800 South). On many days, a variety of birds can be observed.
4. Great Salt Lake Nature Center at Farmington Bay » Located at 1700 W. Glover Lane in Farmington, this facility features a 1.5-mile wheelchair accessible trail. The area includes blinds to help bird viewing, trees where bald eagles can often be seen in the winter, a creek frequented by mule deer and a bird refuge.
5. Liberty Park » This classic Salt Lake City park flanked by 500 and 700 East and 900 and 1300 South offers walkers a 1.5-mile wood chip running path, a 1.3-mile sidewalk path and a 1.4-mile rollerblade path. A small cafe, rest rooms and lots of grassy area make this a popular central city exercise spot.
6. Sugar House Park » Located near 1500 E. 2100 South, this iconic Salt Lake City park offers great views of the Wasatch Mountains and is a popular year-round destination for walkers, joggers and bicyclists. The park road is 1 3/8 miles long and has a 16-foot inside lane for walkers, cyclists and runners.
7. Legacy Parkway » This 14-mile paved trail cuts through mostly agricultural and wetlands areas in south Davis County. It runs from the Front Runner Station in Farmington, south to 1-215 and 2100 North in North Salt Lake. Trailheads are also located along the trail at 250 S. 450 West in Farmington; 900 W. 2400 South (Birnam Woods); Pages Lane at 1600 West; 1200 N. 1525 West in West Bountiful; and 2425 South in Woods Cross.
8. Great Salt Lake Shorelands Preserve » This Nature Conservancy facility is located in Layton on 3200 West, south of Gentile Road, Davis County. There is a one-mile boardwalk that goes over Great Salt Lake wetlands. Other facilities include rest rooms, a 30-foot high observation tower and an open-air visitor center.
9. Millenium Trail Park City » This trail stretches about five miles along State Route 224 between Park City and Kimball Junction. There are several trailheads along the way. It is not plowed in the winter and is often snowpacked, though that doesn't prevent walkers as well as snowbikers from using it.
10. Provo River Trail » This trail follows the Provo River 14 miles from Utah Lake east to Vivian Park in Provo Canyon. The relatively flat paved trail is shaded much of the way.
Twitter: @tribtomwharton
Do you have a favorite walking route near your home that offers a safe, easy way to exercise? Share it with your fellow Tribune readers. Email information to features@sltrib.com. Put "favorite walking routes" in the subject line.
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