I'm trying to get more into hiking around Raleigh/Durham. Where are your favorite areas/trails? I've checked out Umstead some but not all the trails. Most of my hikes so far have been pretty short but I'd like to do more. Does anyone think there's a better time of the day(morning/afternoon) to do one? Thanks!

3/9/2014 11:55:07 PM

Schneck Forest next to NC State / Umstead is a nice, quiet trail. I like to go there in the morning to see the deer. You can hike into Umstead from there as well - http://www.carolinaoutdoorsguide.com/schenckmemorialforest.html

Eno River Park near intersection of 40 / 85 has some great trails. I hiked there a lot when training for my hike through the colca canyon. The trails run along the river and there are some good hills.

I like hiking the greenways. I go around Lake Lynn several times a week (because I live next to it), but I also like the Neuse River trail because it goes along the river and Shelley Lake / Crabtree trail.

Umstead is also one of my favorites.

I bought the book Trails of the Triangle (http://www.amazon.com/Trails-Triangle-Raleigh-Durham-chapel/dp/0895873494) and have tried to do as many as I can, and I also joined the Triangle Hiking and Outdoors Meetup to get good ideas about trails in the area (I don't make many meetups, but I save emails for trails that I haven't done or one that sound cool).

3/10/2014 9:50:43 AM

I recommend all the hikes the above user mentioned. Here are a few more suggestions.

Raven Rock State Park (about 45-60 min south of Raleigh) -- Campbell Creek loop and Raven Rock trails can be combined for a nice 9 mile hike with very little backtracking.

Occoneechee State Park (near 40/85 split in Orange County) -- Highest elevation in Orange County. Partial views at the summit, esp in winter when there are no leaves. Best in April/May when the mountain laurel and rhododendron are blooming.

Falls Lake Trail -- Several dozen miles of continuous blazed trail that coincides with the Mountains-to-Sea Trail (MST); follows the south shore of Falls Lake in its entirety. Great interactive map if you Google the MST.

Blue Jay County Park -- MST runs through it and there are several other trails that can be used to make a loop. Great lake views and facilities.

Jordan Lake -- There are several options but I recommend the New Hope Overlook. Exit 89 off US1 south of Raleigh. You can do a moderately strenuous 5-7 mile loop and it is fairly desolate. There is a fee to park there during the warmer months.

Harris Lake County Park -- Peninsula Trail...great 5-6 mile loop that follows the lake shore and alongside a longleaf pine forest; not recommended when it's wet. There is also a disc golf course.

Hanging Rock State Park is worth the drive.

I've pretty much hiked everything around here so let me know if you have any questions.

3/10/2014 10:36:27 AM