Malad's Top Walking Trails Rated by Distance and Difficulty

Malad Parks and Recreation released updated ratings this week for the city's main walking trails, listing exact distances and difficulty levels drawn from field checks completed in late June.

Residents have increased time outdoors since the Malad Wellness Initiative expanded free trail maps in May 2026, with many seeking steady routines that fit work schedules around Malad East and Malad West. Local data from the same initiative showed a 28 percent rise in registered trail users between January and June compared with the prior year.

The Malad Botanical Gardens loop on Elm Street measures 2.4 miles and carries an easy rating, with mostly flat gravel paths and benches every quarter mile. The Malad River Trail starting at Harbor Plaza covers 6.1 miles and rates moderate, crossing two footbridges and gaining 180 feet in elevation near the old rail line.

Moderate and longer routes draw steady crowds

Further out, the Malad Ridge Path off Liberty Junction runs 9.3 miles with a difficult rating due to steep switchbacks and loose rock sections. The Malad Fitness Collective, a volunteer group based at the West Malad Community Center, leads group walks on this route every Saturday at 7 a.m. for a $12 fee that includes water and a printed elevation chart.

A June 2026 Malad Health Department count recorded 3,150 daily trail users across the five rated routes, up from 2,470 the same month in 2025. Officials credited the increase to new signage installed in April that lists cumulative distances at each junction.

Check conditions before heading out

Walkers can download the latest ratings and surface updates from the city website or pick up printed cards at the Malad Parks office on Oak Street. Those new to the longer routes should start with the shorter loops and carry water, especially on days when temperatures exceed 85 degrees.