Copyright © 2005 Trail Hounds. All rights reserved.
Email webmaster
Lake Johnson, Raleigh:  3.2 miles, level 1-2, paved loop trail around lake, few hills
(5 mile loop, level 2, if combined with forest trail on other side of bridge)
From I-40 take exit Gorman Street towards Downtown. Left on Avent Ferry Road. 
Turn left in parking lot at boat house. Meet at boat house. 
Durant Nature Park, Raleigh:  2.5 miles, level 2, forest loop trail, partly along lake & creek 
From Raleigh Beltline take exit #11 (Capital Blvd. North).
Go about 6.5 miles north on Capital Blvd. Turn left on Durant Road.
After about 1 mile turn left on Camp Durant Road. Meet in parking lot. 
Apex Community Park, Apex:   2 miles, level 1,  paved loop trail around lake
From I 40 take US-1 South take US 64 West at Mc Gregor Shopping Center.
Turn right on Laura Duncan Road. Turn right into park entrance.
Drive all the way to the parking lot and picnic shelters at the end of road.
Follow sign: lake trail.
Eno River State Park, Durham:

Few's Ford Section
Cox Mountain Trail:  3.75 miles, level 3, forest loop trail, partly along river,                                                                                        suspension bridge, hilly.
From Raleigh Beltline take exit US 70 West, pass Crabtree Valley Mall, Angus Barn, cross I-540, continue on US-70 Bypass (follow sign: to I-85) until it merges with I-85 South. Take exit Cole Mill Road. On Cole Mill Road, cross Pleasant Green Road. Follow Cole Mill Road until it dead ends in park.   Meet at new parking lot at the end of road.

Buckquarter Creek Trail: 1.5 miles, level 2-3, forest loop trail, partly along river, hilly.
Same directions as Cox Mtn. Trail.
Pass visitor center after entering park. Turn right into first parking lot after passing the visitor center.

Holden Mill Trail:  2.6 miles, level 2-3, forest loop trail, partly along river, hilly
This trail can only be accessed through Buckquarter Trail which adds about 1 mile.
Same directions as Cox Mtn. Trail. Pass visitor center after entering park.
Turn right into first parking lot after passing the visitor center.

Fanny's Ford Trail: 1.0 mile, level 2, forest loop trail, partly along river, suspension bridge
This trail can only be accessed through Cox Mountain Trail which adds about 1-2 miles.
Same directions as Cox Mtn. Trail.
Pass visitor center after entering park. Meet at new parking lot at the end of road.

Pump Station Section
Pump Station Trail: 1.5 miles, level 2, forest loop trail, partly along river
From Raleigh Beltline take exit US 70 West, pass Crabtree Valley Mall, Angus Barn, cross I-540, continue on US-70 Bypass (follow sign: to I-85) until it merges with I-85 South.
From I-85 South take exit Cole Mill Road. After 2.4 miles turn right on Rivermount Road. After 1 mile park at bridge at Eno River Park.

Pea Creek Trail: 1.3 miles, level 2, forest loop trail, partly along river
From Raleigh Beltline take exit US 70 West, pass Crabtree Valley Mall, Angus Barn, cross I-540, continue on US-70 Bypass (follow sign: to I-85) until it merges with I-85 South.
From I-85 South take exit Cole Mill Road. Cross Rivermount Road. Turn left into parking lot at
Cole Mill Section.

Dunnagans Trail: 1.8 miles, level 2, forest loop trail, partly along river
This trail can only be accessed through Pea Creek Trail which adds about 0.5 mile.
Directions same as for Pea Creek Trail.

Cole Mill Section
Cole Mill Trail: 1.2 miles, level 2, forest loop trail, partly along river.
Directions same as for Pea Creek Trail.

Bobbits Hole Trail: 1.65 miles, level 2, forest loop trail, partly along river.
This trail can only be accessed through Cole Mill Trail which adds about 1 mile.
Directions same as for Pea Creek Trail.
Lake Lynn, Raleigh:   2 miles, level 1, paved loop trail around lake                    
From Raleigh Beltline take US-70 West (Glenwood Avenue).  Pass Crabtree Valley Mall and shopping centers. Turn right on Lynn Road .  Shortly after crossing Leesville Road turn left into parking lot at dam. Look for small entrance to parking lot, no signs. Meet at beginning of trail.
Hemlock Bluffs Nature Preserve, Cary:  2 miles, level 2, forest loop trail, overlooks, wetlands,                                                                                     boardwalks, some steps    
From I-40 take exit 293 (US1/64 South). After 3.5 miles take exit 98,Tryon Road.
Turn right on Kildaire Farm Road. After passing Lockmere Golf Club (about 1 mile) turn right into parking lot.
Stevens Nature Center #919-387-5980
Blue Jay Point County Park, Raleigh: 2.5 miles, level 2-3, forest loop trail, sandy beaches,  hilly
From Raleigh Beltline take exit #8, Six Forks Road North. Cross I-540,
follow Six Forks Rd. to the township of Bayleaf, make a 90 degree left turn to stay on Six Forks. 
(turn is about 1.5 miles north of Durant Road).
After 1.5 miles turn right into park entrance (Pleasant Union Church Road).
Meet in parking lot at the Blue Jay Visitor Center.
Bond Park, Cary:   2 miles, level 2, forest/paved loop trail around lake 
From I-40 take exit #287 North Harrison Ave. Turn right on Maynard Road. Cross Chapel Hill Road.
Turn right on High House Road. Turn left into park, across from church. Follow park road to boathouse.
Meet at parking lot at boathouse.
Umstead Park, Raleigh:  
Sal's Branch Trail: 2.75 miles, level 2, forest loop trail.
                                   Park entrance from Glenwood Ave.
From Raleigh Beltline take exit US-70 West (Glenwood Ave.).
Pass CarMax, Sports Authorities, then turn left into the Crabtree Creek park entrance. 
Meet at visitor center on your right. 

Company Mill Trail: 5.8 miles, level 3, forest loop trail, partly along creek, hilly.
                                     Park entrance from Harrison Ave.
From I-40 take exit Harrison Avenue. Reedy Creek park entrance is near the exit ramp,
just north of I-40. Meet in parking lot.

Sycamore Trail: 4-5 miles, level 3, forest loop trail, partly along creek, hilly.
                              Start off Ebenezer Church Road.
From Raleigh Beltline take exit US-70 West (Glenwood Ave.).
At Car Max turn left on Ebenezer Church Road.
In a sharp left turn of Ebernezer Church Road stay straight on gravel road Graylyn Rd.
Meet at end of gravel road. Park on side of road.
Crowders District Park :  1 mile, level 1, paved loop trail around pond and open field.
From the I-440 Beltline, take US-1 South to the Ten-Ten Road exit.
Take a right at the stop sign. Crowder District Park is on the left, just past Holly Springs Road.

Schenck Forest, Raleigh: 2.2 miles, level 2, forest loop trail, partly along creek 

Park is closed to dogs since June 1, 2005!
DURANT NATURE PARK
ENO RIVER
BLUE JAY POINT PARK
BOND PARK
UMSTEAD PARK
Pilot Mountain, NC: 
I-40 West to Winston-Salem, US-52 North towards Mount Airy for about 20 miles, exit at sign "Pilot Mountain State Park".  take park road up to the top parking lot.    
Hanging Rock, NC:  (directions taken from mapquest)  
I-40 West, past Greensboro merge on I-40 Business to Winston-Salem,
take exit 6B to US 52 North towards Mount Airy,
follow US 52 North for about 10 miles,
take exit #118 NC-65/Rural Hall Bethania,
right onto Bethania Rural Hall Rd/NC-65,
slight right onto NC-65,
left onto Broad St./NC-66,
slight right onto NC-66,
right onto Moores Spring Rd. (SR1001),
enter park, meet at visitor center
HANGING ROCK
PILOT MOUNTAIN
Fort Fisher State Park, NC:  3-4 miles, level 1-2, along beach.
(directions taken from mapquest) 
(From Raleigh: 145 miles, about 3 hours)
I-40 East, in Wilmington I-40 East ends and becomes NC-132 South,
in Myrtle Grove NC-132 South becomes US-421 South,
pass Fort Fisher State Historic Site on your right,
enter Fort Fisher State Park to your left,
turn left into parking lot at visitor center.
(If you reached the ferry, you've gone too far.)
FORT FISHER
SCHENCK FOREST
Copyright © 2005 Trail Hounds. All rights reserved.
Email webmaster
LAKE JOHNSON
LAKE LYNN
HEMLOCK BLUFFS
DURANT NATURE PARK
CROWDERS DISTRICT PARK
Lake Benson, Garner: 1.5 miles, level 1, gravel/sand loop trail, very easy, around open field,                                                    short part through forest at lake.
From Raleigh Beltline/I-40 take exit # 299 to Hammond Road. Follow Hammond Road, cross US-70 where it becomes Timber Drive. Cross Woodland Road and Vandora Springs Road.
Turn right on Aversboro Road. You will see the park on your left.
Stone Mountain, NC      Beautiful 5 mile loop trail, strenuous, steep rock, waterfall, nice forest.
                                           Hiking boots not necessary but suggested.

I-40 west to Winston-Salem, US 421 west, I-77 north, US 21 towards Roaring Gap,
left onto Traphill Road (SR 1002), follow it to the John P. Frank Parkway.
Turn right and follow the parkway to the park.

Travel time Raleigh to Stone Mountain: about 3.5 hours

Harris Lake, New Hill:
Peninsula Trail: 5 miles, level 2-3, forest loop trail, partly along lake
From I-40 take exit # 293 to US-1 South. Take exit New Hill, turn left at end of ramp onto
New Hill-Hollemann Road. After passing Shearon Harris visitor center you see the park entrance to your right. Follow park road , at fork turn right to parking lot.
Meet in parking lot at trailhead.
Daytrips:
Crowders Mountain,NC
Shelley Lake, Raleigh:  2 miles, level 1,  paved loop trail around lake
From Raleigh Beltline take exit 8B (Six Forks North/North Hills).
After 1.5 miles turn left on Millbrook Road. After 1.2 miles pass Shelley Lake dam on your right.
Turn right into parking lot at Sertoma Arts Center.
Meet in parking lot at trail head.
SCHELLEY LAKE
Jordan Lake, Vista Point Section, Apex/Pittsboro:  3 miles, level 2,  forest loop trail,                                                                                                                         partly along lake 
From I-40 take exit #293  to US-1 South.
After 4 miles take exit #98 to US-64 West. (Cross Wake/Chatham County line at about 9 miles)
After 17 miles turn left onto North Pea Ridge Road (SR 1700) of Vista Point Section.
Follow road to parking lot, pass ticket booth ($4 fee from May through September).
LAKE JORDAN Vista Point Section
LAKE JORDAN Vista Point Section
Raven Rock Park, Lillington:
Campbell Creek Loop Trail & Lanier Falls Trail:   5.2 miles, level 3, forest loop trail, partly                                                                                                        along creek, falls, hilly
Raven Rock & Little Creek Trail: about 3.5 miles combined
Raven Rock Trail: level 3, forest trail, steep wooden steps to rock overhang and river
Little Creek Trail: level 2, beautiful forest trail along small creek

From I-40 take exit #298 to US 401 South towards Fuquay-Varina.
After 15 miles pass through Fuquay-Varina, after another 15 miles you reach Lillington.
In Lillington turn right onto US 421 West.
After 6 miles turn right onto Raven Rock Road (SR 1314). Enter park after 3 miles.

RAVEN ROCK PARK
Trail Ratings
Level 1: Easy - A paved 2-3 mile long trail without hills.
Any couch potato can probably do these walks in normal weather conditions.
Level 2: Moderate - A forest/nature trail of 2 to 6 miles with few hills.
Not for the true couch potato. You may have to watch your steps to avoid rocks or roots.
You and your dog should be in relatively good condition for these walks/hikes.
Level 3: Strenuous - A forest/nature trail with steeper hills, longer and/or more difficult.
You and your dog should be in good physical condition for these hikes.

STONE MOUNTAIN
CROWDERS MOUNTAIN
Harris Lake
Falls Lake, North Raleigh:
Trail between Bayleaf Church Road and Six Forks Road:   2.4 miles (1.2 miles one way),                                                                                                                             level 2-3, forest trail, hilly
From Raleigh Beltline take exit #8 (Six Forks Road north/North Hills).
Follow Six Forks for about 8.5 miles until it makes a 90 degree left turn.
Keep straight for another 1/2 mile, where you come to a fork in the road.
Bear left onto Bayleaf Church Road.  Meet at end of Bayleaf Church Road at gate.

Trail between Bayleaf Church Road and Possum Track Road: 5.6 miles (2.8 miles one way),
                                                                                                                                                         level 2-3, forest trail, hilly
Same directions as above trail.
FALLS LAKE
Swift Creek Greenway, Cary:   2 miles, level 1,  paved trail through forest, along Swift Creek.
From I 40 take exit#293 (US-1 South), take exit#98A (Tryon Road).
Go under the bridge, turn right at light onto Regency Parkway. On Regency Parkway pass Capi's restaurant, then turn left into parking lot of 3700 block building. (If you get to the bridge at lake, you've gone too far.)
Meet in parking lot in front ot the 3700 block building.
Swift Creek Greenway
Wrightsville Beach, NC:  2-4 miles, level 1-2, along beach.
(From Raleigh: 135 miles, about 2 - 2.5 hours)
I-40 East, in Wilmington I-40 East becomes NC-132 South.
Continue on NC-132 for about 2 miles.
Turn left onto US-17, then bear right onto US-74 (Eastwood Road).
Cross bridge, bear left onto US-74-BUS (N. Lumina Ave).
Meet in parking lot at Johnnie Mercer's Pier, intersection of N. Lumina St and E. Salisbury St.  (there may be a parking fee).
Johnnie Mercer's Pier: E. Salisbury St. Wrightsville Beach, #910-256-2743
Cliffs of the Neuse State Park, Goldsboro, NC:  2-3 miles, level 2, partly along creek, great                                                                                                                           view over Neuse River.
(From Raleigh: 65 miles, about 1.5 hours)
Take I-40 East, Take exit #306 to US 70 East. Follow US 70 for about 50 miles to Goldsboro. (Pass through Clayton, Selma, cross I 95, pass Princton).
After staying on US 70 East through Goldsboro, take exit NC 111 South.
Follow NC 111 South for about 8 miles to Cliffs of the News State Park.
Cliffs of the Neuse State Park
Black Creek Greenway, Cary:   1.5-2 miles one way (3-4 miles total), level 1, 
                                                          paved trail, from W. Dynasty Drive to Crabtree Lake.
From I 40 take exit#287 to N. Harrison Street towards Cary. After about 2 miles turn right on W. Dynasty Drive.
The Greenway is shortly on your right. Park along road.
Swift Creek Greenway
Jordan Lake Educational State Forest:  2.25 miles, level 2, forest loop trails.
Forest Demonstration Trail: 1.5 miles
Talking Tree Trail: 0.75 mile
From the I-440 Beltline, take US-1 South to the US 64 West exit. Follow US 64 for about 15 miles, after crossing second Lake Jordan bridge turn right onto Big Woods Road. Follow Big Woods Road for 2.5 of miles,
park is on your right. Trail heads are off last parking lot.
LAKE JORDAN educational forest
LAKE JORDAN educational forest
DIRECTIONS
AND TRAIL DESCRIPTION
New River Park, Durham:  North and South River trails, 6 miles, level 2-3, forest trail, partly along river 
From Raleigh Beltline take US 70 to I-85. Take exit Guess Road.
Park is on right, about 10 miles north off I-85 (1 mile into Orange County).
FALLS LAKE