Tralee Drive Loop

This is a loop of slightly more than two miles that incorporates a part of the Killearn Estates Bridle Trail and a part of the Centerville Road Trail. Because it's a loop, you can start anywhere and go in any direction, but for the purposes of this description I'm starting from the corner of the Bridle Trail near Celebration Baptist Church and heading north to go clockwise around the loop. This is just on the opposite side of a wooden privacy fence from the Church at a right angle in the power lines that mark the route of the bridle trail. There is also a collection of ominous-looking metal boxes here that must have something to do with electricity, communications, or something else that is none of my business.

At any rate, follow the power lines north from this corner and in about 200 feet you'll cross the southern end of Tralee Road. This is very close to the finish of the annual Shamrock Scurry 5K, which has been run in this area since 2004. Follow the power lines across Tralee and back onto the grass of the Bridle Trail, which parallels Shamrock Drive East. Suburban backyards are on either side of you here, sometimes on the other side of a hedge or a fence. Behind some of the fences dogs bark at you, resenting that you're free to roam while they're trapped in their yards. Speaking of dogs, watch your step; the Bridle Trail is often used for walking dogs.

Shortly after crossing Tralee or .16 miles into the route, some power lines branch off to the left, marking another part of the Bridle Trail. Ignore this branch and continue straight ahead. At about .32 miles you'll cross another road, Ardara Drive. Beyond this you'll come to an open area around .43 miles, Delvin Park. To the right you'll see the park's outstanding feature, twin holding ponds separated by a dike, the dike being topped by a trail. You can explore it, but it's a very short side trip.

At .52 miles you'll cross Dungarvin Drive. Past Dungarvin the downhills become more serious as you drop into the basin where Lake Kanturk lays. Around .74 miles another branch of the Bridle Trail goes to the left. You won't follow this branch, but get ready; you'll be taking a turn to the right at .76 miles. If you follow the power lines you can't go wrong here; power lines follow the right branch of the trail but there are none straight ahead.

After making the right turn you'll cross Chelmsford Road at .80 miles. After a while the route begins paralleling McLaughlin Drive. Their isn't much uphill or downhill on this stretch; you're already about as low into the Lake Kanturk basin as you're going to descend. After a good stretch with no road crossings, at 1.21 miles you'll cross Tralee Road near its north end. This is very close to the end of this branch of the Bridle Trail, which dead ends into the Centerville Road Trail around 1.26 miles. Say goodbye to the grass for now and turn right onto the asphalt pavement of the Centerville Road Trail.

Immediately you're climbing uphill out of the Lake Kanturk basin. This is a long uphill and lasts almost to the next road crossing, Killala Way (1.67 miles). Centerville Road will be on your left along this stretch and the backyards of homes in Killearn Estates will be on your right. Where a stand of bamboo blocks your view of Centerville Road you'll be able to look ahead and see the sign for Woodland Hall, which is where you'll turn left to rejoin the Bridle Trail. The Bridle Trail is on the near side of Woodland Hall at 1.96 miles--follow the power lines! Once back on the grass of the Bridle Trail you're almost back where you started from. Complete the loop at 2.11 miles.

The surface of the loop is suitable for walking, running, or riding a fat-tire bicycle. It's a short loop and there aren't many places to park along the way, so you may not want to visit it if you don't live in the neighborhood. I've used it as part of a longer course, though, and also used it to do a cool-down jog after the 1990 Echo 8K, which finished at Celebration Baptist Church. Similarly, athletes running in the Shamrock Scurry 5K may want to use the loop for warming up before the race or cooling down afterwards.