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Print Friendly MapNote: Salem Creek Greenway between Main Street and Vargrave Street is currently closed due to construction. It is expected to be closed for 18 months. A detour is in place from Salem Avenue, Rams Drive, and Vargrave Street. For more information and updates check the City of Winston-Salem's website.
The Salem Creek Greenway consists of two paved segments that follow the tree-lined creek diagonally for nearly 5 miles across southern Winston-Salem. A short sidewalk connection allows passage between the two.
The trail begins off the parking lot for the Marketplace Mall. From there, you will soon pass through Washington Park, a 75-acre recreational area with athletic fields, picnic pavilions, a dog park and a playground.
Once out of the park, you will reach S. Broad Street; follow it north on the sidewalk, then go east on W. Salem Avenue around the traffic circle to connect to the trail again. Or, to avoid the traffic circle: just before you reach S. Broad Street, take the fork to the right under the street; cross the large wooden bridge and follow the sidewalk to the left for approximately 200 feet, then make another left before the traffic circle. This will take you back under the street and past the tennis courts.
If you go north at the traffic circle, you can also hop on the Winston-Salem Strollway, a short rail-trail that parallels Old Salem Road into downtown. Stay on the greenway and you'll travel between Winston-Salem University and Civitan Park and through Reynolds Park with its 18-hole golf course. The trail ends at Salem Lake, the city's second largest source of water and a popular place for boating and fishing. Take the 7-mile loop around the lake for outstanding views of the water.
There are many places to park along the trail:
- Marketplace Mall (off Peter's Creek Parkway)
- Washington Park (1490 S. Broad Street)
- Reynolds Park (2450 Reynolds Park Road)
- Salem Lake Park (1001 Salem Lake Road)
Enjoyable 5 mile mostly flat trail along the creek that connects to the 7 mile Salem Lake unpaved (packed dirt/crushed gravel) trail around the lake. There are a couple of fairly steep, but short hills. Greenway trail is probably 60% shaded. Two spots not far from the Salem Lake end the trail goes through the creek, which isn’t a problem for bikers at normal water levels other than possible wet feet. A bridge would be nice. My biggest criticism, however, is the South Main street area. I guess the road bridge was too low to permit the trail to go under, so you wind up, around, over and around again to get back on the trail on other side of S Main. Biggest issue is inadequate signage in the area as there are other paved trails and sidewalks In the area that can cause confusion.
love riding this trail. offers a mix of asphalt and gravel with a wine bar in the middle. what else can you ask for.
Very nice, well maintained trail. Connects to Salem Lake Trail and passes by historic Old Salem. I've enjoyed it thoroughly despite the very hilly detour during construction. My favorite place in town to run aside from the lake trail.
Lots of nice shaded areas & some that passes by a babbling brook. Nice hills, wooden bridges, under overpasses, friendly fellow trail sharers and Park personnel. I was visiting my sister and had to do this trail twice. It was great! It connects to the Salem Lake Trail which I started but couldn't finish and had to turn around. I will have to come back to visit again to do the Salem Creek Greenway again and the Salem Lake Trail! It's a must do when visiting Winston Salem!
FUN!! I'm 67 and still building my bicycle muscles. Love this trail. Has just enough difficulty in short spurts for me to have fun and a challenge. Most of the trail is shaded and has wonderful views of the river and skyline of Winston-Salem. Looking forward to many more rides.
We found this trail to be clean and well maintained. It is an older asphalt/concrete trail. It went under the cross streets which was great.
Parts of the trail are low and could have water issues after a big rain. It has some hills.
It would be a good family ride. Serious bikers would call this an easy ride, I am riding a bike again after 40 years so it was a nice ride for me.
If you are looking for a flat and long run to knock out some miles and still have a good view in the process, you've come to the right place. It's paved and there are 4 different places to jump on the trail. And the best part is that it attaches to Salem Lake, which is 6.8 miles around as well. This is my favorite place to run in Winston-Salem.
Wonderful trail!
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