Find the top rated hiking trails in Havelock, whether you're looking for an easy short hiking trail or a long hiking trail, you'll find what you're looking for. Click on a hiking trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.
Small parking adjacent to new bridge middle school football field. Also park at middle school. 34.75177° N, 77.42777° W
Perfect little path! Parking at the bus stop (1300 N marine blvd) is easiest to get on the trail (lil sketchy for the first mile or so). Theres a park you pass that has restrooms! And trash cans throughout the trail. Def more people biking than walking/running. The mile markers every 0.5 miles are great!!! Can easily get 8 miles going down and back and could probably make it ~10.
The actual trail head is just beside the Jacksonville Station (it’s a bus transit station) 1300 N Marine Blvd Great place to park in the long term area and get on. Wonderful benches along the public side of the military base fence all along the trail. We took our four year old the whole way on his bike and enjoyed it. It was work on the way back, but good. Def park at the bus station.
Another place to park and start the trail is at the new (old) Jacksonville Station on Marine Blvd. It has plenty of free parking and the trail passes right in front of the station. From there it is 4.9 miles to another public parking area just outside of one of the Camp Lejeune gates. At about the halfway point, just after crossing on the elevated pedestrian walkway you can take the side trail which takes you app. 3 miles to the Memorial Gardens . This whole section of the trail is well paved and well maintained.
Start your ride or walk at the Memorials Parking Lot (do not ride bikes in the memorials) proceed on the bike path and board walks approx 2.5 miles to the tunnel on left, go through and join Rail Trail path, turn right an go 3.3 miles to Trail head, turn and return, go past the the tunnel & over bridge, proceed follow the trail all the way to the old town, follow to Riverwalk Park, and follow Bike signs to the riverfront an continue following signs past Stuggeon City Enviro education Ctr, you can go in if you wish, continue following bike path signs to Wilson Bay Park for a brief stop, then continue back to the Memorials parking lot, total miles, approx 17 miles.
Wonderful paved trail. Did see a Copperhead on the trail!!
We rented 5 bikes from Beach Wheels and started riding from the first beach access off of Ocean Dr. We didn’t feel comfortable riding on the road, so Bryan at Beach Wheels was kind enough to drop the bikes off there so we could ride on the bike path. We took the path all the way down to Plaza Mexican in Emerald Isle and had lunch. Then we biked down to Emerald Isle Woods where we took the bikes down to the water and enjoyed the view. Around 3:00 we turned around and biked our way back to Sweet Spot for ice cream. We were pretty tired at that point so we biked our way back to car.
Overall it was a very enjoyable bike ride. One thing I wish we had know is that the path is mostly downhill as you bike your way towards Emerald Isle which means it’s uphill as you’re coming back towards the car. We biked around 20 miles in total so the last 5-6 miles we’re pretty rough as we were very tired! Also, there’s a good bit of crosswalk traffic so be very cautious of cars as your cross.
I had difficulty finding parking at the end of the trail but was able to find a public beach access parking in Indian Beach just past the end of the off-the-road portion. The cross road stops could get a little monotonous in the busier months but were not a big issue in November. It was cold and windy but still was an enjoyable ride. There are several public restrooms along the route.
The description only includes the portion of the trail that parallels, but is off, the main road (about 11 miles). There is an on-road trail that continues into Indian Beach and Atlantic Beach (probably close to 25 miles total). This road is fairly busy but the bike path is wide enough so it isn't uncomfortable.
All paved, gets a little busy with cross car traffic around downtown Emerald Isle on the path. Nice path for the most part. I would suggest early morning or later afternoon to heat. Has water stop, rest rooms at the beach access and tourist center. We like to ride along Ocean Drive along the ocean and end at the beach (end of Coast Guard Road). You can park at Boat Ramp or several beach access locations.
Actually, if you complete the entire trail (CLNC old gate to just past Jones Funeral Home) it is a litte over 7 miles. I have walked this trail many times, even by myself, both during the day and at 5:00 pm after work (I carry mace and taser). It gets a litte scarry in some parts and you definately need to be aware of your surroundings. Very shady and paved with asphalt so it has a little more cusiony of a step. If I could change anything about the trail, it would be the following: Extend it to a full 10 miles, have better security (I have NEVER seen a JPD bike patrol on the trail), a couple of water fountains along the way. Thats it! Overall, very enjoyable! mejf
Leaves a lot to be desired. Lots of trash,denied access to halve the trail on Camp. When will the 52 miles be available? Two miles is a joke.
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