By boogiepop_phantom in January, 2012
This trail runs behind my neighborhood and it got me back into biking! So much wildlife can be seen while riding along like deer, rabbits, various birds, turtles and the like.
As of now (winter of 2011/12) this trail is closed presumably so that can pave it and from what I understand it will be open in spring. I rode it when they started the clearing just before they closed it off, and it looks like they are blazing a short cut that will eliminate a grueling hill but also takes you right by an rustic old stone built hydroelectric dam! Driving on Business 64, I look down from the overpass and check on the slow progress.
Anderson point is another great place to see on this site esp in spring. A lot of the park is allowed to grow tall as a bird sanctuary
By randybass in October, 2011
Segment 1 of the Neuse River Trail is now open! This segment begins at Falls Dam and continues to the WRAL Soccer Center. Well worth the wait. Fall is the ideal time to experience the trail with fall colors, active wildlife and cool comfortable weather.
The Neuse River Trail is planned to be a 10-foot wide asphalt path extending from Falls Lake Dam to the Wake County line. The project is separated into smaller sub-projects that are planned as individual construction projects. The trail that begins at Falls Lake Dam and will extend along the river to the Wake County line, a distance of 28 miles. The estimated cost for the entire project is approximately $30 million.
The 6 separate projects are named Upper Neuse, Neuse Horseshoe Bend, Neuse Buffalo Road, Neuse Hedingham, Neuse Riverview, and South Neuse which are more fully described on separate pages.
This unique project also opens opportunities to adjoining communities to connect to this central backbone. With the completion of the 28 mile trail and the construction of two other trails, Mingo Creek in Knightdale and Smith Creek in Wake Forest the Capital Area Greenway could become the central structure of a larger system covering North Carolina. The Mountains to Sea Trail (MST), a State of North Carolina linear park, extends from the mountains in western North Carolina at Murfreesboro to the coast of eastern North Carolina at Jockey’s Ridge. The corridor for this trail connects to the Neuse River Trail at Falls Lake Dam. The planned MST then follows the Neuse River Trail through Wake County to the county line.
George Randy Bass
Wake Forest, NC
http://www.neuserivertrail.com/
By knottyneedle in October, 2011
I pass the turn off for this trail twice a day and decided to take the dog for an exploratory walk.
The start of the trail is part of the Anderson Point Park. Before you get to the main park area, there is a smaller parking lot, denoted with canoe launch signage. From the parking lot, the pathway forks. To the right is a short, downhill walk to the canoe launch. Definitely nothing fancy, just a low spot to the river. You can not launch a boat on a trailer here, which would keep out a lot of boat traffic.
To the left is the start of the Neuse River Trail. Currently, it is the width of a car lane and, in fact, looks just like that. Graveled after a fact, but easily walkable. A mountain bike would have no trouble on the trail. So would any bike but a street bike. The trail is still a little too rough for a straight street bike.
The trail itself is fairly flat. There are a couple of low hills, but nothing the kids couldn't handle. Once you get about 1/4 mile into the trail you can start seeing the river through the trees. There are a few 'unofficial' paths down to the river which is full of big, flat rocks. Definitely a temptation for some off-trail exploring.
While I didn't get all the way to the end of the trail, I covered 80% of it. They were doing some work on the trail while I was there. The trail has a couple of benches along the way to rest. Even though the trail goes behind some housing developments, with a couple of exceptions you would not know. Traffic is another thing. Although you are not directly impacted by traffic, the trail does go under a couple of main bridges. It is really interesting to be standing on a tree shrouded path and look up and see 4 lanes of cars going overhead.
I passed an older gentleman who stated he walks the trail 2 times a day and is looking forward to having the pathway paved. The currently pathway is clean, level and the sides are kept mowed down. Next time I will pack a lunch and water for the dog and I and walk the whole trail. I know it comes out close to my house and want to see exactly where.
This is a definite must walk or ride.