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.

I have wobbly ankles so some of the trail was moderately challenging (as opposed to running on flat asphalt) but it is truly gorgeous scenery and a lovely run. The restrooms were clean, the views were gorgeous and I look forward to running here frequently and bringing my kids to kayak. I'd easily rate it 5 stars, however I tripped on a root and gouged my knee pretty badly. If I wasn't so clumsy this would definitely rate 5 out of 5 stars.

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I have lived in Erwin for 11 years and have used this trail many times. It is a shame, because it is a nice trail, but in the last couple of years I have had more and more problems with off leash dogs. Earlier this year I was chased by a pack of 3 aggressive dogs on the Dunn side of the rail trail, and there is another off leash aggressive dog that will charge and bark at the intersection of the trail and Suggs Rd on the Erwin side. We have tried, unsuccessfully, to alert Harnett Co Animal Control about these dogs. My husband left them messages which they never returned. So we have had to stop walking our dogs on this trail. It was not just the fact that the off leash dogs were taking an interest in our dogs, I also spoke to a couple of people who use the trail for jogging without dogs, and they are also being bothered by the aggressive dogs. So use with caution, and if you can, call the Harnett Co Animal Control if you have the same problem. Perhaps if enough people complain they will do something to make this trail safer.

People complaining about sand, that gives you more exercise. I did not think the sand was bad at all. I did the walk from Reservoir park to NIcks creek. Nice little hike

The course for the parts I could find. Unfortunately after the first half mile there weren't markers so difficult to follow

As mentioned, parking areas are somewhat hard to find. You have a couple of options for parking - park in the very back of the Timberwood Apartment Complex located off Wicker Street. There is also a parking area close to the intersection of Carbonton Rd and Halifax located at approximately 700 Carbonton Road. You may also choose to connect from the Kiwanis Parking area located off of Wicker Street (this connection is tricky to find and is not rollerblade friendly). There are also random locations along the trail that offer an opportunity to connect. The trail runs along the back side of Applebees, First Bank and Frank Theatres Spring Lane.

In terms of rollerblading - I would probably only do the section from 700 Carbonton and head NW (along Carbonton Road and under the overpass). The section from the Timberwood Apts. to 700 Carbonton is a little rough. It is definitely doable, but not the smoothest riding.

Its a good trail. There are some road crossings to be aware of and it does run through the shopping center. All-in-all it works as a nice paved trail. If blading, please keep in mind there are some hills along the trail. Please be sure to have good brakes and know how to brake properly down hills.

Happy Trails!

Six of us rode the trail today. Two on hybrid bikes, two on mountain bikes, two on recumbent trikes. What a great trail! We started at the north end. I had read the reviews about the hills, and unfortunately we started at the uphill end of the trail. The first leg of the ride was fun with all the downhill rides, but we were dreading the return trip. But the good news is that as much as we were all dreading the return ride, it really wasn't that bad. Some of us walked our bikes up the steepest (2) but short hills, others of us just put it in our lowest gear and slowly got to to the top.

We all wished this trail was longer because it was a very pretty ride and very relaxing. If we are back in the Fayetteville area again, we will ride the trail again, maybe even twice! It is 11.4 miles round trip, end to end.

Terrible trail for riding bikes or even walking. The trail is getting wider in spots as people try to find a way around the deep sand. It does provide a connection to the nice Forest Creek Trail and Reservoir Loop Trail.