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The Dequindre Cut Greenway is a paved path nearly 2 miles long in downtown Detroit. The trail has separate lanes for bicyclists and pedestrians. Entrance ramps for the trail can be found at Lafayette Street, Gratiot Avenue, and Woodbridge Street.
About the Route
At the northern end of the Dequindre Cut is Eastern Market, a commercial district centered around a popular six-block farmers market (open on Saturdays) that has been in operation since 1891.
At the trail’s southern end lies the Detroit River, a key part of the Great Lakes system and an international border; across the water is the City of Windsor in Ontario, Canada.
Connections
At the trail's southern end, it connects to the Detroit RiverWalk.
Trail History
The Dequindre Cut Greenway is called the “Cut” because of the wide trench that was sunk 25 feet below street level in the 1920s by the Grand Trunk Railroad to avoid foot and vehicle traffic, which continued overhead unimpeded on more than a dozen bridges. In the early-to-mid 1980s, when passenger and freight service was discontinued on the line, the corridor sat vacant and its bridge abutments became covered with graffiti. When the corridor opened as a trail in 2009, the colorful urban art was left and the graffiti murals are now one of its most-loved features.
The Dequindre Cut Greenway runs between Mack Avenue and Dequindre Street (Detroit) and Atwater Street (Detroit).
Parking is available along Gatroit Ave, where it intersects with the trail.
This is not an official address, please see TrailLink Map for detailed directions.
It’s a great two mile stretch. Just enough for my 8 year old to enjoy. The murals are awesome. We stay on a mission to find wonderful street art.
This is my absolute favorite place to skate. So peaceful.
Easy ride. Dedicated bike lanes.
If you’re interested in street art, check out this trail. The pieces painted on the old overpass foundations are varied and colorful. The trail is all paved with separate bike and pedestrian lanes. Benches are along the way every few quarter miles. In summer the shipping container bar opens with craft brews and treats. You may find the trail hot in summer because shade is only found beneath the overpasses (and at the bar), but in winter you may find this trail ideal because it’s protected from the wind. Favorite if inline skaters.
Nice extension to make on your Riverfront ride to Belle Isle. From Atwater you just go two blocks inland then a few blocks south into the city and your at the cut. Great views of the city and
Parking at the Eastern Market is plentiful. Hop onto your bike or take a short walk by the Dequindre Cut to all that the riverfront has to offer, great restaurants at the Renaissance Center, picnic areas, Outdoor Rec Center, parks with outdoor seating, water parks for kids etc. Don't miss it.
The second leg of the Dequindre Cut is now open. The cut runs from the Detroit River to the northern edge of the Eastern Market. Well maintained and secure, this is a great path for walking, jogging, and cycling.
I recently was in Detroit for business, and came across this area. I have to say the art work is spectacular and an amazing idea and an amazing way to showcase some amazing street art talent. Good for you Detroit.
Short but great trail. We drove and parked in the garage at Eastern Market. From there, rode to the Cut, down to River Walk. From there headed north and rode around Belle Isle. Then back for the entire River Walk, and back to the cut. This was a great ride and the cut was very cool. We did this on a Saturday. No issues, safe ride. Great way to see some of the city. So eventhow this is a short trail, you can make it into a long ride.
But only a mile?
Really great that they left the graffiti art in place, rather than destroying it as has just been done at 5 Points here in NYC.
Extending the trail to Royal Oak (as marcosresto suggests) would be rather difficult as the line is actually used by Amtrak north of Milwaukee Junction (between Clay St. and E. Grand Blvd.) and for freight service at least as far south as E. Ferry Ave. or Farnsworth St. Furthermore, there is no grade separation from Mack Street (end of phase II extension under construction) northwards. There are level crossings at Mack St., E. Canfield St., E. Forest Ave., E. Warren Ave., Farnsworth St., and E. Ferry Ave., as well as other major streets to the north.
That said, when the current extension project is completed in two years, it would be great to take it at least another few blocks further north, so that it can link with the bike lanes at E. Forest Ave.
Found the cut while riding along the riverwalk and downtown area. I would recommend traveling south on Gratiot toward the pedestrian overpass rather than attempting to cross Gratiot as I did...sometimes I tempt fate. It is a well maintained, safe ride. I parked without charge at the Detroit Wheelhouse.
The artwork quite simply is stunning.
Just rode the Cut today after I rode the Detroit Riverwalk. Such a great little trail. They need to extend it further than Eastern Market. Artwork is great and the trail is smooth.
Well it's about time. Now make it complete to Royal Oak!
We are better than Cleveland and they have an awesome trail that goes from the lake to Kent and Beyond! using the old Erie Canal. Why can't we do Better!
Still I love the Dequinder Cut. So artful and real. Great to show people from the suburbs stuff that Detroit has that they will never have.
A fantastic little slice of the city and a great start to hopefully something larger in the future. I was down there several times before it was a trail and let me tell you, it's come quite a long way. Short but sweet.
Short but one the most interesting miles in the state. Ride from the riverfront triail to Gratiot Avenue. It would be great for this to extend further north.
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