Explore the best rated trails in Sanford, NC, whether you're looking for an easy walking trail or a bike trail like the Carolina North Greenway and Riverwalk Greenway . With more than 77 trails covering 249 miles you're bound to find a perfect trail for you. Click on any trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.
We enjoyed the ride on Walnut Creek trail. Lots of nice views around lake johnson. Be sure to use Trail link app’s map. There are a few turns that the app helped with. Beware there were a few homeless on the trail. No one bothered us. We will be riding the trail again. The best part was taking the turn to the farmers market. We stopped for lunch at the restaurant. Recommend it.
Rode the trail starting in Erwin by the Mill. The ride was great. Needs a little trimming in places but was beautiful trail through the area. Took a little ride into town on the Dunn’s side. Just a few blocks from end of trail to downtown. Recommend stopping at Sherry’s Bakery. Great food. At the the other end in downtown Erwin you have the Pizza House and Burney’’s Bakery. You will not regret stopping there. The rail trail is about 10 miles round trip. Easy ride.
Too bad it ends nowhere on the south extremity.
Had a Great Bike ride on the Black Creek Greenway. As a first timer, We weren't sure where to go, but figured it out pretty easily. Went around lake and just followed the trails in what ended up being a 10 mile ride. Went on a weekday and it wasn't too crowded, but I imagine it would be a bit busier on the weekends. Did cross 1 or 2 roads to follow the trails, and took several turns, but made it back without any issues at all. Paved trails and a couple of wooden bridges made for an easy ride. Restroom facilities available in parking lot and signs are posted along the route. Highly recommended.
Well-maintained and nice creek views. It is an urban/suburban trail but I found it very pleasant. Nice tree shade and lots of different scenery. Some nice wetlands too with bridges. Small bumps here and there but nothing that got on my nerves. Lots of opportunities to create loop rides using connecting trails, like the Neuse River Trail and House Creek Trail. Give it a try and I think you will like it, so long as you understand it is an urban/suburban trail and not a rural rail trail. Also --- Check Raleigh Greenways website to get a grip on construction alerts because the trail does cross under a bunch of roads and runs on top of underground sewer lines.
This trail has been on my “bucket list” and I finally got to ride it! Absolutely stunning early spring day for riding - sunshine and warmth. I started the trail at its head point - New Hill Olive which was well marked off the road. Lots of parking. Has a bathroom. The segway portion leading down to the trail is loose gravel and on the steep side - take note - wasn’t easy to bike on and I could see people taking spills here. From here, the trail is packed sand which I find more enjoyable to ride on as there aren’t root humps and bumps. New Hope Church Rd is a beautiful stop with bathrooms and water fountains. From there it turns into mixed use with asphalt and packed sand.
I really enjoyed riding this rail trail. After reading the reviews, I decided to start off in Linear Park and ride my way north on the trail so I would hit the challenging hills in the middle of my ride. Smart move on my part lol! The trail is asphalt, beautiful condition. Blooming wisteria was stunning and the scent is intoxicating. Boardwalks, bridges, “tunnels”, hills and flats - it has something to offer everyone. The Cape Fear River and a few streams and a couple waterfalls wrap is up! Rode all the way to the soccer field complex and then back to Linear Park. Great ride!
Rode this trail yesterday during a gorgeous spring day. The trail is mixed surface from packed sand, to loose sand, some asphalt, gravel and roots. It is not a wide path. Narrow in places. Does cross over a train track which was fun to watch. I can’t say I would recommend this for a bike ride - I found myself going on the road in areas - but it would be lovely for walkers & runners. Safe area. Loved the historic area!
Husband and I rode this trail on Sunday 3/9/25, little chilly & overcast on this date, but a really nice ride. Heading north from Clark Park is a good workout as there are some challenging uphill climbs. The ride is beautifully surrounded by forests, easy to forget you're in the Carolina sandhills. Trail was moderately crowded on this date, an overall really good time.
Spouse and I were trying to find a moderate length rail trail within a couple of hours from home (Charlotte area). We decided to try the Dunn-Erwin trail and are glad we did. It was a nice late winter day with temps getting into the mid 70's. The trail was enjoyable and fairly well maintained until we got to the trail extension in Erwin. There was a short section which was washed out more suitable for mountain bikes rather than road bikes. Some of the signage is getting weathered and needs replacing but otherwise well marked. Overall a satisfying ride.
The trail is currently closed. No mention of this on the Clayton Parks and Rec website. This area is experiencing explosive growth in housing developments with the accompanying need to expand infrastructure. The trail parallels a sewer line which is being upgraded. According to the Johnston County website, there is no timetable for completion. An on-road detour to connect Municipal Park to the Clayton River Walk where it crosses Covered Bridge Road is possible, but there is plenty of traffic and some steep hills. I recommend parking at the River Walk Parking area on Covered Bridge Road and riding north.
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