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Print Friendly MapClosure 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 information.
Overview
The Crabtree Creek Greenway stretches just over 19.5 miles along the Crabtree Creek corridor through forested greenways, city parks, residential areas, and some business areas. There are multiple sections of the trail in Morrisville, Cary, and Raleigh.
Morrisville (1.4 miles)
The trail follows Crabtree Creek west for about 1.4 miles from Evans Road through Cedar Fork District Park to Crabtree Crossing Parkway. Before crossing the creek at its west endpoint, the trail connects to the Hatcher Creek Greenway. The trail's eastern end on Evans Road has a seamless connection to Cary’s section of the Crabtree Creek Greenway, which offers access to Lake Crabtree and Umstead State Park (8801 Glenwood Ave, Raleigh). There are restrooms at Cedar Fork District Park (228 Aviation Pkwy, Morrisville).
Cary (2 miles)
There are two segments of the trail in the Town of Cary. The longer segment (1.7 miles) continues east from the Morrisville section at Evans Road and runs along the southern shore of Lake Evans. Crossing the lake via a 730-foot concrete boardwalk, the trail ends by connecting with the Black Creek Greenway. The paved trail is 10 feet wide and has a maximum slope of 5% with the majority of the route being quite level. Dogs are welcome as long as they remain on a leash.
There is a 0.3-mile section, the Bond Park Segment, which splits from the White Oak Creek Greenway to head north along a tributary of the Crabtree Creek in Fred G. Bond Metro Park (801 High House Rd, Cary). The park includes Bond Lake, a variety of sports fields and courts, a community center, restrooms, parking, and the Bond Park Lake Trail.
Additional restrooms are available at the Old Reedy Creek Road trailhead (2139 Old Reedy Creek Rd, Cary) and North Cary Park (1100 Norwell Blvd).
Raleigh (15.9 miles)
The trail passes through stands of loblolly pine, elm, ash, buckeye, river birch, and poplar with an understory of box elder, hornbeam holly, and dogwood. Trail users also experience lovely views of Crabtree Creek, with large rock outcroppings here and there, as well as steep slopes. At Lassiter Mill Park (3362 Lassiter Falls Cir, Raleigh) you can see the former site of Lassiter Mill Dam and the former site of a grist mill built in 1764. The mill last operated from 1908 to 1958.
You'll find picnic areas and a playground on Crabtree Boulevard and plenty of wildlife viewing opportunities, especially along the boardwalk over wetlands near Raleigh Boulevard. Look for the gazebo where you can watch and photograph birds, including waterfowl and blue herons.
Connections
Crossing Lake Evans, the trail crosses the Black Creek Greenway.
Near Generation Rd., the trail connects with the southern terminus of the Mine Creek Trail.
Anderson Point Park (20 Anderson Point Dr, Raleigh), joins up to the Neuse River Trail.
At Crabtree Valley Trail, the trail connects to the northern endpoint of the House Creek Greenway Trail.
The Crabtree Creek Greenway runs between White Oak Creek Greenway (Cary) and Anderson Point Park, 20 Anderson Point Dr. (Raleigh), where parking is available.
Parking is also available at:
Please see TrailLink Map for all parking options and detailed directions.
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.
I’ve Ridden this several times but have to stop and turn around when I reach a section that is not complete along Crabtree Creek. I think once this is totally completed it could be a nice ride. Not sure when that will happen
Beautiful trees and rolling hills. We Floridians loved it!
One end of the trail has been closed for some time now .
We were trying to make all the trail, very disappointed. A lot of closures areas, thank you for the sewer construction. We had to take Atlantic Ave with a lot of traffic.
Very good trail there is a way to get to starting point atLindsay drive all the way to Anderson point park just have to view this map to get around the road closures lots a scenic views
You can ride from the Neuse River trail to about New Bern Blvd, but west of there is all torn up for sewer work. Check the link on this page to the Raleigh Greenways page to get construction updates to see what parts are open.
I know i sound like a crab ... but don't waste your time on this green way. Too many closures may it unreliable. Riding the greenway system in Raleigh is like driving up north during construction season. And you're not safe on the Neuse River Greenway either ... encountered a closure on there just north Anderson Point. No options for detour. Early signage is generally poor - today encountered the closure on Neuse River greenway with no warning. Turned around went back to Anderson point and road west on the Crabtree green way only to encounter several signs announcing a closure for utility work ... which never actually appeared. Only to be stopped at Capital blvd with another unannounced closure ... and by the way that area was closed most of last year.
The Crabtree Creek Greenway is 14 miles long and has been a centerpiece of Raleigh's wonderful greenways network. However, Crabtree-the-Creek is the poster child for why communities should think carefully about investing in floodplains. The stream overflows often, causing trail closures for repairs. The trail also shares this corridor with the city's utilities, which also cause trail closures for repairs. Here's the current list of problems: https://www.raleighnc.gov/parks/content/PRecDesignDevelop/Articles/GreenwayRepairs.html If you have the patience to explore this lovely greenway, be flexible and count on having on-road detours. Or try Raleigh's parallel (and less flood-prone) Walnut Creek Greenway instead. Both trails intersect with Raleigh's Neuse River Greenway, the longest paved trail in NC.
We started on the end/beginning of trail on pocardy drive. Once we hit a little over 4 miles, we hit a nice neighborhood on alleghany that was a bit hilly so we turned around. The trail was clean and wide enough for all 5 for us to be side by side. It was pretty flat until we hit that neighborhood.
Enjoyed riding this trail and the multiple surrounding trails it connects to, incl Crabtree Creek, Reedy Creek, Mine Creek, etc. Varied course, w/a variety of hills, a few tunnels, and is generally well designed and maintained. The option of stopping off near Meredith College for food/snacks is a big plus, as well as being able to readily connect to Rocky Branch and Centennial trails get to NC State and downtown is very cool. This and the whole network of trails in and around town are the things I miss most about living in Raleigh.
I'm just chiming in to say that the trail is complete, and can be accessed at Anderson Point Park in Raleigh. I just tried it out yesterday, but only did 8 out and back. Nice trail, and am looking forward to completing the whole thing. Take my five stars with a grain of salt, since I've only gone on the trail for 8 miles, and only one time. I had to put something, and would rather err on the side of higher star count.
This is a nice trail with a few notable shortcomings. It is very scenic in parts, such as the extensive boardwalks through wetlands west of Raleigh Blvd. Unfortunately the boardwalks were closed for a quite a while due to sewer line repairs but appear to have opened again. The trail is also subject to flooding from time-to-time because Crabtree Creek gets large amounts of urban runoff. Portions of the trail south of Raleigh Blvd are extremely steep for a greenbelt and should be approached with caution.
The trail will receive a huge boost when it joins up with the newly completed Neuse River Trail east of Raleigh. The final section is scheduled for completion in early 2014, and will enable cyclists to ride from Raleigh to the Neuse River, and then follow that trail either north or south for a number of miles.
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