When you think of hiking in North Carolina most folks think about a trip to the High Country but for folks in the Triangle who don’t have the time for the long drive, there are plenty of hikes close to home. The News & Observer recently released a list of the best hikes close by for both beginners and regular trail junkies.
Go for a stroll:
▪ Seaforth Pond Trail, 1.4 mile loop Jordan Lake State Recreation Area, Pittsboro
▪ Swift Creek Bluffs, about 1.5 miles out and back Triangle Land Conservancy, Raleigh/Cary
▪ Swift Creek Loop Trail, .8 mile loop Hemlock Bluffs Nature Preserve, Cary
▪ Buckquarter Creek Trail, 1.5 mile loop Eno River State Park, Durham
▪ Company Mill Trail, a mile or two if you cut it way short William B. Umstead State Park, Raleigh
Break a sweat:
▪ Waterfall Trail, 2.8 mile loop De Hart Botanical Gardens, Louisburg
▪ Vista Point — Red, 3 mile loop Jordan Lake State Recreation Area, Pittsboro
▪ Raven Rock Loop, 2.6 mile loop Raven Rock State Park, Lillington
▪ Occoneechee Speedway Trail, 4 miles of various trails, Hillsborough
Raise your heartrate:
▪ New Hope Trail, 5.4 mile loop Jordan Lake State Recreation Area, New Hill
▪ Sycamore Trail, 7.2 miles William B. Umstead State Park, Raleigh
▪ Falls Lake Trail, potentially 50 miles, but up to you. Falls Lake State Park, Wake Forest
▪ Campbell Creek Loop Trail, 5-mile loop Raven Rock State Park, Lillington
