Explore the best rated trails in Sanford, NC. Whether you're looking for an easy walking trail or a bike trail like the Riverwalk Greenway and Buffalo Creek Greenway (Neuse Riverwalk). With more than 51 trails covering 196 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.
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The 5-mile-long Cape Fear River Trail winds through a mix of woodlands and marshes on Fayetteville’s north side, offering stunning views of the Cape Fear River. The trail is relatively flat but with...
Beaver Creek Greenway offers a pleasant, paved route in the community of Apex, a western suburb of Raleigh. Much of the trail is wooded and it connects two parks, Kelly Road Park and Jaycee Park. The...
Speight Branch Greenway offers a paved, shaded route through a residential area of Cary, which lies on the western edges of Raleigh. The trail begins at Southeast Cary Parkway and travels north along...
The Longleaf Access Trail is a short connector trail between the Tall Timbers Trail and Longleaf Trail. It is part of a larger system of greenways in the community of Southern Pines in Moore County,...
The Pinehurst Greenway is located in the heart of a premier golf destination. It winds for nearly 6 miles through the community of Pinehurst and its historic business district. The greenway links...
The Snelling Branch Trail is just under 1 mile and links Shelley Lake with Optimist Park. The Snelling Branch Trail, which runs east and west, joins Mine Creek Trail north of Shelley Lake. The...
The White Oak Creek Greenway runs through Cary, a city in North Carolina’s Triangle region that also includes Raleigh and Durham. In fact, future plans call for linking it to the American Tobacco...
Annie Jones Greenway provides a natural escape in the middle of the city. The trail goes through woods, and past streams for a short, though serene journey. The trail begins on SW Cary Parkway and...
The Spring Forest Trail parallels Triangle Town Boulevard from Sumner Boulevard for only 0.5 mile north. Use caution at the crossing on Old Wake Forest Road.
The Reedy Creek Trail links William B. Umstead State Park to Meredith College. Beginning at the edge of Umstead State Park, the trail passes among some of the area's feature attractions, including the...
The Mine Creek Trail consists of five distinct segments: Bent Creek (paved), Inman Connector (unpaved), Ironwood (paved), Lake Park (unpaved), Sawmill (unpaved) and Shelley Lake (paved). The segments...
Batchelor Branch Greenway is a short stretch of trail in northeast Cary. The trail is 0.8 miles long and 10 feet wide, accommodating uses ranging from walking and running, to biking, rollerblading,...
The Knoll Road trail is part of the Southern Pines Greenway system in Moore County, North Carolina. It is 1.5 miles and relatively flat, coursing through a quiet residential area of the community of...
The Tanglewood Trail is a short, gravel trail in the Tanglewood section of the Southern Pines community, Moore County, North Carolina. The trail is part of a larger system of greenways in Southern...
The American Tobacco Trail extends uninterrupted from Durham more than 22 miles south through Chatham County to its southern terminus in Wake County. In 2014, a bridge for the trail over Interstate 40...
Along the eastern outskirts of Raleigh, the Neuse River Trail follows the river for nearly 30 miles from Falls Lake Dam to the Wake/Johnston County line. There are several river crossings along the...
The Tall Timbers Trail is a short connector trail between the Longleaf Access Trail and the Reservoir Park Greenway. It is part of a larger system of greenways in the community of Southern Pines in...
Bolin Creek Trail is a 3-mile out and back multipurpose trail in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. The paved trail begins at Community Center Park and heads west, then ducks under the Franklin St. bridge....
Abbotts Creek Trail courses along a tree-lined route beside open fields and subdivisions in a suburban community near Wake Forest, North Carolina. The trail follows Abbotts Creek and passes by North...
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The Rocky Branch Trail offers beautiful views of the Raleigh city skyline, while also passing through the length of the North Carolina State University campus. It also links to Pullen Park, which has...
Hinshaw Greenway is a 1.7 mile north-south recreational trail in Cary, NC. The trail runs riparian forest, and acts as a conduit for children to travel safely between the play areas within MacDonald’s...
Batchelor Branch Greenway is a short stretch of trail in northeast Cary. The trail is 0.8 miles long and 10 feet wide, accommodating uses ranging from walking and running, to biking, rollerblading,...
The Riverwalk Greenway is a 2-mile trail in Hillsborough, North Carolina. The shared use trail begins at Gold Park and heads east, staying close to the river for most of its length, before concluding...
The Rocky Branch Trail offers beautiful views of the Raleigh city skyline, while also passing through the length of the North Carolina State University campus. It also links to Pullen Park, which has...
The Reservoir Park Greenway is part of a larger system of greenways in the community of Southern Pines in Moore County, North Carolina. The trail loops around the Southern Pines Reservoir (95...
Endor Iron Furnace Greenway runs along Big Buffalo Creek on the west side of Sanford, which sits about 40 miles southwest of Raleigh. The paved trail begins at Kiwanis Family Park, which offers a...
The House Creek Greenway Trail is a 2.8-mile-long paved trail that runs from Crabtree Valley Avenue near the intersection with Blue Ridge Road (near the McDonald's) until it meets the Reedy Creek...
Speight Branch Greenway offers a paved, shaded route through a residential area of Cary, which lies on the western edges of Raleigh. The trail begins at Southeast Cary Parkway and travels north along...
The Reedy Creek Trail links William B. Umstead State Park to Meredith College. Beginning at the edge of Umstead State Park, the trail passes among some of the area's feature attractions, including the...
The American Tobacco Trail extends uninterrupted from Durham more than 22 miles south through Chatham County to its southern terminus in Wake County. In 2014, a bridge for the trail over Interstate 40...
Hillsdale Greenway is just one in Greensboro's catalogue of greenway trails scattered in neighborhoods across the city. The concrete trail sits in Hillsdale Park, paralleling South Buffalo Creek....
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The Buffalo Creek Greenway (also known as the Neuse Riverwalk) meanders along a wooded waterway through the heart of Smithfield in central North Carolina. It is one day hoped to become part of the...
Beaver Creek Greenway offers a pleasant, paved route in the community of Apex, a western suburb of Raleigh. Much of the trail is wooded and it connects two parks, Kelly Road Park and Jaycee Park. The...
The Forest Creek Access Trail is a short connector trail between the Reservoir Park Greenway and Forest Creek Trail. It is part of a larger system of greenways in the community of Southern Pines in...
The Forest Creek Trail is an important connecter between the Longleaf Trail at its southern tip and Nick's Creek Trail at its northern end. The adjoining Forest Creek Access also links it to Reservoir...
The Crabtree Creek Trail, in suburban Raleigh, stretches nearly 16 miles along the Crabtree Creek corridor through forested greenways, city parks, residential areas, and among some business...
The Snelling Branch Trail is just under 1 mile and links Shelley Lake with Optimist Park. The Snelling Branch Trail, which runs east and west, joins Mine Creek Trail north of Shelley Lake. The...
The Third Fork Creek Trail offers a paved 3.5-mile route through southwestern Durham. The trail begins at Southern Boundaries Park and continues through a pleasantly wooded corridor to its end at...
The Deep River Rail-Trail follows the abandoned rail bed of the Atlantic and Yadkin Railroad, which began operations in 1897 and shut down in 1980. A segment of the trail travels through...
Bolin Creek Trail is a 3-mile out and back multipurpose trail in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. The paved trail begins at Community Center Park and heads west, then ducks under the Franklin St. bridge....
The Pinehurst Greenway is located in the heart of a premier golf destination. It winds for nearly 6 miles through the community of Pinehurst and its historic business district. The greenway links...
The Forest Creek Access Trail is a short connector trail between the Reservoir Park Greenway and Forest Creek Trail. It is part of a larger system of greenways in the community of Southern Pines in...
Speight Branch Greenway offers a paved, shaded route through a residential area of Cary, which lies on the western edges of Raleigh. The trail begins at Southeast Cary Parkway and travels north along...
Beginning at E. Martin Street, the Little Rock Trail heads south through Chavis Park, running parallel with Chavis Way. The park features rock outcroppings, swimming pool, baseball diamond, shelters...
The Riverwalk Greenway is a 2-mile trail in Hillsborough, North Carolina. The shared use trail begins at Gold Park and heads east, staying close to the river for most of its length, before concluding...
The Fan Branch Trail is a pave hike and bike trail cutting through the Southern Village neighborhood of Chapel Hill. It's 10-feet wide and kicks off at the Southern Community Park, which features a...
The Tanglewood Trail is a short, gravel trail in the Tanglewood section of the Southern Pines community, Moore County, North Carolina. The trail is part of a larger system of greenways in Southern...
Endor Iron Furnace Greenway runs along Big Buffalo Creek on the west side of Sanford, which sits about 40 miles southwest of Raleigh. The paved trail begins at Kiwanis Family Park, which offers a...
The Southbridge Greenway is a charming neighborhood path in the neighborhood of the same name, on the west side of Cary, North Carolina. On any given day on the trail you will find parents pushing...
Abbotts Creek Trail courses along a tree-lined route beside open fields and subdivisions in a suburban community near Wake Forest, North Carolina. The trail follows Abbotts Creek and passes by North...
The White Oak Creek Greenway runs through Cary, a city in North Carolina’s Triangle region that also includes Raleigh and Durham. In fact, future plans call for linking it to the American Tobacco...
The Dunn-Erwin Rail-Trail traverses 5.3 miles of the Aberdeen and Rockfish (previously Durham & Southern Railway) corridor in Harnett County, North Carolina. It connects the downtown areas of Dunn and...
Nestled in the northern outskirts of the charming town of Southern Pines, the Longleaf Trail provides a useful connection between the Pine Grove Village, Talamore and Longleaf neighborhoods. Running...
The Wakefield Trail follows the power line from Falls of Neuse Road south to Dunard Street, just under 1.5 miles. There is a slight jog in the trail where it meets Wakefield Plantation Drive. If...
Hinshaw Greenway is a 1.7 mile north-south recreational trail in Cary, NC. The trail runs riparian forest, and acts as a conduit for children to travel safely between the play areas within MacDonald’s...
Batchelor Branch Greenway is a short stretch of trail in northeast Cary. The trail is 0.8 miles long and 10 feet wide, accommodating uses ranging from walking and running, to biking, rollerblading,...
Bolin Creek Trail is a 3-mile out and back multipurpose trail in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. The paved trail begins at Community Center Park and heads west, then ducks under the Franklin St. bridge....
Opened in August, 2014, the Mingo Creek Trail connects the town of Knightdale from Mingo Creek Park to the Neuse River Trail, just north of Anderson Point Park in Raleigh. Along its 3.4-mile paved...
The Tall Timbers Trail is a short connector trail between the Longleaf Access Trail and the Reservoir Park Greenway. It is part of a larger system of greenways in the community of Southern Pines in...
Annie Jones Greenway provides a natural escape in the middle of the city. The trail goes through woods, and past streams for a short, though serene journey. The trail begins on SW Cary Parkway and...
I rode theTrail in September I would give it a 10 star out of 10 stars real fantastic trail I love the trees the pavement the scenery and I own a bike shop in Wisconsin . A lot of the trails in my area are not paved this trail is well maintained and paved . I can’t wait to go back to this trail again in the near future .
This is a nice, paved, level trail.
There are a couple small hills for a challenge.
The numerous bridges, the little creeks and the river make for nice scenary.
So, as always. If in the area and want to get a couple miles in, give this trail a try. I think you'll enjoy it.
The part in Durham I got to ride was shady and well-maintained but I'd never ride it again. I'm used to riding trails that have long stretches and don't cross dangerous, busy streets every block or so. While this trail would be *excellent* for walking and I do see people biking, it's not one I'd recommend for the latter. There are too many opportunities for a bad interaction with an inattentive driver. I had a near-miss with a driver who didn't respect the trail/crosswalk warning lights as it was.
A wonderful break from driving i95, thank you traillink, parking was easy and free. There are rolling hills and friendly walkers.
Used this when I was visiting NC in July 2019. This trail is short but well maintained and the maps show that it will be expanded and connected to other trails. Cary will some day have trails all over it. It was 95 out when I used this trail, you may want a cooler day but my bike takes the heat good.
Greenway has overgrown trees hanging over in the path. Grass is high on side of path. Reason for keeping grass cut weekly is so snakes can be seen. Boards on bridges are sticking up. ( Dangerous for cyclist and more for runners.)
It is a nice greenway and we enjoy riding it. Town just needs to take more pride in it other than just ham and yam time each year.
As a former volunteer under the auspices of The NRPD I’ve ridden this Greenway many times end to end. Not a security risk but suggest ride or jog in pairs for enjoyment. Be aware of children and strollers and prepared to stop on busy weekends. Even in hot weather trail has many mature trees for cool shade ,be aware of possible loose large branches on windy days,wear a helmet!. The prettiest and perhaps most challenging/exciting is the section from Anderson Park S. Plenty of parking on either side of bridge entering park. But entrance to trail hidden by cedars down on left 2nd entrance,nearest white cottage, once youve ridden you will always find it,caution returning cyclists ride fast on exit ,be vigilant,wear bright clothing to be seen. Restrooms at Anderson last on trail until Garner! My favorite section is Anderson Park S. to Mial Plantation ,lovely sweeps and downhill runs ,countryside resembles Vermont with long white fences. This is the quieter section .triathlon rider groups on weekend s prevalent. There are numerous benches for a picnic along the way. Come prepared . Near “Riverside subdivision past Johnson County line theres a bridge with picnic tables at each end and on bridge ,nice in fall weather and occasional bald eagles can be observed.
Let's start with this.
The trail is not flat.
Level, yes. Paved, yes. Mile markers every half mile. Mostly shaded (good on a very hot day) Flat, no.
There are a couple pretty decent hills, saw a biker walking her bike up one.
If you start at Jordan soccer park, it is mostly down hill, which means back up.
A couple little bridges, one good size covered bridge over the creeks make for nice scenary, along with the skinny squirrels.
Another runner said the further end was more flat. Next visit I'll plan to run entire trail.
So, as usual. If in the area and want to get a few miles in, head here. You will enjoy the trail and the challenge.
This greenway is poorly marked and the trail is broken in places by a detour through busy city streets and 50 mph traffic. This was an awful ride spent being slightly lost and pretty frustrated at the large detour required to get back on the greenway trail. I won’t be back.
This trail provides a nice diversion from the main Neuse River trail. It is less crowded, and gives you a diversity of scenery, running near neighborhoods and wetlands. Mostly shaded. It follows a powerline, creek and railway most of the way. Some stretches are on boardwalks. The remainder is smooth asphalt. Mostly flat. Very good. Will ride again sometime.
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