Find the top rated running trails in Durham, whether you're looking for an easy short running trail or a long running trail, you'll find what you're looking for. Click on a running trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.
Trail Image | Trail Name | States | Length | Surface | Rating |
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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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NC | 3.3 mi | Asphalt |
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Overview
The American Tobacco Trail extends uninterrupted from Durham more than 22 miles south through Chatham County to its southern terminus in Wake County.
About the Route
Starting from...
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NC | 22.2 mi | Asphalt, Crushed Stone |
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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...
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NC | 1.2 mi | Asphalt |
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Notice: There are currently detours in place for the closed sections of the Black Creek Greenway. The detours utilize parts of the Weston Greenway and the Crabtree Creek Greenway. Visit the trail's...
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NC | 7.13 mi | Asphalt |
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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....
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NC | 2.2 mi | Asphalt |
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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...
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NC | 2.9 mi | Asphalt |
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NC | 4 mi | Asphalt |
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Overview
The Deep River State Trail runs in two distinct sections, one traveling through Franklinville, between the Deep River & Faith Rock while another 1.5 miles of rail trail runs through...
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NC | 3.5 mi | Crushed Stone |
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The East Fork Mine Trail is an multipurpose pathway in Raleigh, NC. The trail has an asphalt surface and provides a close-to-home jaunt into nature for the residents of the surrounding neighborhoods....
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NC | 2.5 mi | Asphalt |
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The Ellerbee Creek Trail is part of a chain of trails running across Durham, known as the North-South Greenway. This trail picks up where the Stadium Drive Trail leaves off, on Stadium Drive next to...
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NC | 1.5 mi | Asphalt, Concrete |
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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...
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NC | 1.7 mi | Asphalt |
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Indian Creek Greenway is a hike-and-bike asphalt pathway that sits in the swathe cut by Indian Creek through residential Morrisville. About a third of the trail parallels Town Hall Road as a dedicated...
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NC | 1.8 mi | Asphalt |
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Beginning in downtown Raleigh at East Hargett Street and across from the City Cemetery, the Little Rock Trail heads south through John Winters Park and then through Chavis Park as it runs along Little...
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NC | 1.6 mi | Asphalt, Concrete |
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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...
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NC | 3.4 mi | Asphalt, Boardwalk |
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The Morgan Creek Trail is named after the nearby stream and is a well-used asphalt and boardwalk trail in the town of Chapel Hill. The trail gives residents a safe connection to Merritt's Pasture, an...
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NC | 0.86 mi | Asphalt |
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Closure Notice: The trail is closed between mile markers 13.75 and 17.25 until December 2024 and at mile marker 8 until January 2025. There is a detour available for the mile marker 8 closure. Check...
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NC | 34.6 mi | Asphalt, Boardwalk, Concrete |
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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...
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NC | 1.8 mi | Asphalt, Boardwalk |
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Overview
The nearly 12-mile paved Riverwalk Trail, also called the “Riverwalk on the Dan,” is part of Danville’s expanding network of trails. This scenic pathway along the Dan River connects...
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VA | 11.9 mi | Asphalt, Concrete |
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Sam's Branch Greenway is a short, but scenic trail in the town of Clayton, just south of Raleigh. The trail forms a paved ribbon through the woods along Sam Branch. The first phase was 1.25 miles...
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NC | 2.6 mi | Asphalt, Boardwalk |
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The North-South Greenway is a complex of trails that link up to allow residents to cross the heart of the City of Durham without the need for a car. The South Ellerbee Creek picks up the southward...
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NC | 1.4 mi | Asphalt |
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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...
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NC | 1.3 mi | Asphalt |
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At first glance, Swift Creek Greenway fits neatly into the mold of Cary's impressive network of pathways - it's a paved, bike-ped facility along a watercourse, which connects people to parks and out...
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NC | 1.2 mi | Asphalt |
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Walk, bike or roll around Symphony Lake via this 10-foot wide greenway. The trail rings around the lake, providing panoramic views of the tranquil water, disturbed only by its resident waterfowl. It...
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NC | 1.8 mi | Asphalt |
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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...
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NC | 3.5 mi | Concrete |
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In Southern Virginia, an exciting regional trail project has been taking shape for over a decade. The Tobacco Heritage Trail will one day span 160 miles, connecting the counties of Brunswick,...
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VA | 22.7 mi | Asphalt, Crushed Stone |
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Overview
The Walnut Creek Trails spans almost 16 miles on an east-west route through Raleigh. Only a half mile stretch on its western end, through Lake Johnson Park, is unpaved.
About the...
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NC | 15.8 mi | Asphalt, Concrete, Crushed Stone, Gravel |
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The West Ellerbee Creek Trail winds along the stream of the same name and is part of Durham's North-South Greenway, a series of multiuse trails crossing the city of Durham.
Beginning by Indian...
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NC | 2.25 mi | Asphalt |
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The White Oak Creek Greenway runs through Cary, a city in North Carolina’s Triangle region that also includes Raleigh and Durham. On the west end the trail connects to the American Tobacco Trail, the...
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NC | 7 mi | Asphalt |
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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...
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NC | 2.3 mi | Asphalt |
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Closure Notice: The Crabtree Creek Greenway is closed between N. Raleigh Blvd. and Crabtree Blvd (miles 5.25-6). Please check with the government of Raleigh for more current updates and detour...
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NC | 19.3 mi | Asphalt |
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Overview
Following the route of a historic rail line that once serviced a coal plant and denim textile mills in Erwin, the Dunn-Erwin Rail Trail passes through wooded terrain interspersed with open...
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NC | 7 mi | Concrete, Crushed Stone |
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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...
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NC | 1.4 mi | Asphalt |
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The Honeycutt Trail extends from Raven Ridge Road to Strickland Road in Raleigh, NC. The trail consists of two segments: between Raven Ridge Road and Durant Road, the trail is unpaved, though...
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NC | 3.8 mi | Asphalt, Boardwalk, Concrete, Dirt |
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Trail users can always count on the Meadowmont Trail for a pleasant, scenic amble that takes you up grassy hills, through leafy woodlands and across stately neighborhoods with pretty gardens. The...
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NC | 1 mi | Asphalt |
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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...
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NC | 6.5 mi | Asphalt, Dirt, Gravel |
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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...
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NC | 5 mi | Asphalt, Concrete |
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The Richmond and Danville Rail-Trail the follows part of the right-of-way of the old railroad of the same name, an important transportation corridor for the Confederacy during the Civil War. The...
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VA | 5.5 mi | Crushed Stone |
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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...
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NC | 3.8 mi | Asphalt |
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The Eagle Spur Rail-Trail follows 2.2 miles of the former Durham-New Hill Railroad, from Stagecoach Road along New Hope Creek to Jordan Lake.
When you're done exploring the Eagle Spur, cross over...
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NC | 2.3 mi | Dirt |
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The Edwards Mill Connector in West Raleigh is an off-shoot of the Reedy Creek Trail. The shared use is adjacent to Edwards Mill Road, and stretches down to Chapel Hill Road. On the way, the trail...
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NC | 2.1 mi | Asphalt |
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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...
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NC | 1.6 mi | Asphalt |
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The Hare Snipe Trail provides access to Lake Lynn; its northern terminus follows Hare Snipe Creek from Ray Road to Wooten Meadow Park. From here the trail makes a loop around Lake Lynn, with a...
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NC | 3.7 mi | Asphalt, Dirt |
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The Simms Branch Trail boasts several areas of large loblolly pine and connects Falls River to Durant Park. Watch for wildlife, including plenty of deer and maybe some beaver. You'll find a small...
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NC | 1.66 mi | Asphalt |
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The northernmost segment of Durham's North-South Greenway, Warren Creek Trail provides a serene hiking or biking experience and access to a neighborhood park.
The trail extends between Horton Road...
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NC | 1.1 mi | Asphalt |
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Most of the short and sweet Baileywick Trail runs through Baileywick Park in the oakwood neighborhood of suburban Raleigh, North Carolina. The 50-acre park has two baseball diamonds, picnic shelters,...
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NC | 0.6 mi | Asphalt |
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The Wakefield Trail follows the power line from Falls of Neuse Road south to London Bell Drive, just under 1.5 miles. There is a slight jog in the trail where it meets Wakefield Plantation Drive. If...
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NC | 1.26 mi | Asphalt, Dirt |
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The Stadium Drive Trail is a component of Durham's North-South Greenway, a series of multiuse trails crossing the city of Durham.
While the Stadium Drive Trail mostly utilizes the sidewalks and...
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NC | 1.9 mi | Concrete |
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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,...
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NC | 0.8 mi | Asphalt |
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A morning jog, an evening walk or a place to take off the training wheels, this short neighborhood path provides opportunities for that and more. Located in the Stanton Place neighborhood of Cary, the...
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NC | 0.7 mi | Asphalt |
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The Carolina North Forest (aka the Horace Williams Tract) is made up of 750 acres owned by the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill. The forest and its trails provide respite for members of the...
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NC | 0.67 mi | Asphalt |
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The Centennial Bikeway Connector is a shared-use path adjacent to Centennial Parkway in Raleigh. The trail, as its name suggests, links the North Carolina State University's Centennial campus to...
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NC | 2.3 mi | Asphalt |
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The Downtown Greenway is a paved multiuse trails winding through Greensboro, North Carolina. The trail is close to 1.5 miles long, beginning on Spring Garden Street, with a landscaped buffer between...
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NC | 1.5 mi | Asphalt, Concrete |
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Green Hope School Greenway is a meandering collection of shared-use paths through Cary's Highcroft neighborhood. While the trail provides space for locals to get outside for fitness or fun, it also...
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NC | 2.6 mi | Asphalt, Concrete |
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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...
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NC | 2.8 mi | Asphalt, Concrete |
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The short Libba Cotton Bikeway is built along an active rail spur right-of-way: the Norfolk and Southern Railroad. The bikeway connects Carrboro's central business district to just west of the UNC...
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NC | 0.38 mi | Asphalt |
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The 2.2-mile, paved Louisburg Bike Trail runs from S. Main Street to Vance-Granville Community College (VGCC). At the Main St. end, you'll find the trail at Depot Street Hill, just south of the Tar...
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NC | 2.24 mi | Asphalt |
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The Lower Booker Creek Trail is a paved neighborhood trail in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. The neighborhood trail cuts through the woods around Booker Creek, providing a natural escape for neighbors...
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NC | 0.9 mi | Concrete |
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The trail starts on Green Level Church Road and then heads west past suburban homes, skirting the north side of Amberly Lake. You will cross Yates South Road via crosswalk, then continue south along...
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NC | 2 mi | Asphalt |
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As its name suggests, this well-maintained trail does sit on the side of NC-55, but that's not the whole story. The trail is a space for fitness and recreation, pleasantly landscaped, and paved so...
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NC | 1 mi | Asphalt, Concrete |
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Walk, run or roll; the Nancy Branch Greenway invites you to go at your own pace. The trail is flat and paved, making it easy enough for even the youngest members of the family to enjoy. Sandwiched...
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NC | 1.1 mi | Asphalt |
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The Northeast Community Greenway is 1.2 miles of paved hiking and biking pathway. The trail is a safe place that Greensboro residents can get outside and into nature. On a given day, you will be in...
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NC | 1.2 mi | Asphalt |
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Go by yourself, with a friend, or with man's best friend - just get out onto one of Cary's paved greenway trails. The Northwoods Greenway is a good option - it's just under a mile long, but it travels...
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NC | 0.9 mi | Asphalt |
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The Panther Creek Greenway is a multiuse trail winding through the neighborhoods of Cary Park and Cameron Pond in northwest Cary. The picturesque trail meanders along the shores of Cary Park Lake and...
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NC | 2.6 mi | Asphalt, Concrete |
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The Riddle Road Spur Trail is a 1.5-mile hiking, biking, and walking trail near the city of Durham. Paralleling Riddle Road, the trail provides a connection to the American Tobacco Trail.
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NC | 1.5 mi | Asphalt |
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The Roberson Place Bikeway provides an alternative route for both pedestrians and cyclists between South Greensboro Street and the Libba Cotton Bikeway. The multiuse, paved trail serves as a...
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NC | 0.31 mi | Asphalt |
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The Sandy Creek Trail cuts a leafy course through Sandy Creek Park, stretching between the park entrance and Pickett Road. It is asphalt-paved, relatively flat and suitable for a variety of uses,...
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NC | 0.75 mi | Asphalt |
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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...
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NC | 0.85 mi | Asphalt |
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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...
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NC | 0.9 mi | Asphalt |
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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.
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NC | 0.45 mi | Asphalt |
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The Weston Greenway, also known as the Weston Park Greenway, meanders through the neighborhoods of Weston Point, Bexley, and Weston in the Town of Cary. The paved, multiuse trail is sheltered by trees...
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NC | 1.39 mi | Asphalt |
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The Yates Store Road Street-Side Trail in Cary is over a shared use pathway linking residents of the surrounding neighborhoods to the other trails in their town. So while the trail itself is just a...
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NC | 1.2 mi | Asphalt |
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We made a trip from western NC to ride the trail. Riding bikes we are always looking for longer trails and this was worth the trip!Also got to experience and enjoy the Durham area. Hopefully we'll get the opportunity to return sometime soon.
Main path is flat and shaded. A hidden statue is along the way. There are some side trails to extend the walk.
Great ride today on a 95° day. Fortunately, a good portion of this trail is shaded. There were 47 bridges between APP and the end, very nice. The trail rises and falls a bit more than most trails, so you need more than a beach cruiser, but the grades are neither long nor steep for more cyclists. Watch the blind corners as some people tend to cut the corners a bit. Great trail overall!
The Eagle Spur is more of an abandoned rail corridor (1905-06) and less of a developed trail. Its scenic beauty is everywhere, with a canopy of trees and a payoff of seeing Jordan Lake up close. The surface is a forest floor, with fallen leaves, fallen trees, and unannounced places where the old railbed has given way. So it's wonderful for a walk in the woods, cautionary for runners' ankles, and injury-risking for inattentive mountain bikers. If you attempt this path during hunting season, blaze orange is advised.
Seemed like the trailhead coordinates weren’t accurate. They brought me to someplace close to the trail but with no parking area. All the parking areas are on route 22 (around 35.7412891, -79.6828295). Not exactly a quiet walk. Seemed to be some kind of man made buzz most of the walk. Never could figure out where it was coming from. But the views of the river were great and I saw one of the biggest great blue herons I’ve ever seen.
What was not expected was the trail was closed on two ends, so I can’t put in a totally fair review, but I was not impressed. The trail breaks up a lot, connects via the road, runs through a lot of suburban areas that are somewhat scenic. There are some cool bridges, but can’t really say I saw much more to write about. I am giving this 3 stars based on the fact I could not see the entire trail.
Surprised that only pedestrians have access to trail at this time.