What's Up With the Trails at Salem Lake Anyway?

The trails on the north side of Salem Lake have quite the history associated with them.  Most people who’ve ridden them have come to understand that they’ve been there for as long as anyone can remember and occasionally there’s entertainment to be had if and when someone actually says they know the story.  Luckily, this isn’t going to be another one of those stories.  

We’ll start by reminding readers that FORBA’s (Forsyth Off Road Bicycling Association's) most current partnership with the City of Winston Salem does involve the trails on the north side of the lake as well as the south side trails (Jesus’) and a newly developed area above the main parking lot which currently has a ½ mile loop with approved plans to add a skills area for kids.  In collaboration with Let it Grow (Mike Dunn) and Round Rock Trail Design (Tony McGee), FORBA is currently moving forward with this section. 

Furthermore, the plan for the western end of the north side has been approved to begin work on.

The map provided shows a large portion of the red trail is rough cut and will connect back in with the original trail at the first bridge.  The blue trail (downhill specific), yellow (return trail) and purple (infrastructure for the next set of downhill runs north of the gravel road) trail are all in progress, which means they are and will be undergoing changes. Some of this phase is still conceptual.  Walking, flagging and clearing trail is part of this phase.  

The focus right now is to keep the trail community informed as much as possible of the ongoing changes and work that is happening at Salem Lake. We’ve placed numerous signs and will continue to place signs where work is happening.  When you come upon these signs, know that months of planning and many hours of volunteer work has taken place and will continue to take place in the months to come.  On the horizon lies the opportunity to develop portions of the north side of Salem Lake into a trail system that will be inclusive for all skill levels, but it will take time and most of all patience.  

As these phases develop and changes occur, we welcome your input and support.  We welcome everyone at our monthly Community Trail Meeting and are always in need of volunteers and donations.  If you have questions or are even remotely curious, please reach out. Finally, we do not in any way claim to know the full story or history behind the north side trails of Salem Lake, but then again, does anybody?