Find the top rated birding trails in Southern Pines, whether you're looking for an easy short birding trail or a long birding trail, you'll find what you're looking for. Click on a birding trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.
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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.
Rode this with the entire family today, beautiful day and the trail is everything a person could ask for. Woods, waterfalls covered bridges, boardwalk bridges, kids loved it. Down here in North Carolina from Michigan visiting the kids and grandkids, glad we brought our bikes.
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.
Not so much this trail but all the others that attach to this one. Many spots with 4" of sand. Walking would be great. Bikes with narrow tires forget it. I have 3"tires and I fish tailed all over. Nice place and very clean. Restrooms were clean.
Beautiful trail, but would be better if there were lights along the trail despite the worries if it disturbs our wildlife.
Having lights would make the trail feel much safer to walk on, especially in the winter evenings when it gets darker earlier. Namely, the wooded area closer to Erwin would be ideal since it's a bit more remote than other sections of the trail.
Also, it would be worthwhile putting some porta johns along the trail for those who may need to use the bathroom.
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.
Excellent trail. Unobstructed and scenic with all types of turns and bridges. Got an easy 10 here and could have went further. Love the mixed crowd; kids, bikers, runners and dogs. Super exciting to see so many people into fitness and outdoors.
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