Hike
Take a
As summer shifts to fall, spend some time outdoors at our major parks and hiking trails in Orange, Durham and Chatham counties
LITTLE RIVER REGIONAL PARK AND NATURAL AREA 301 Little River Park Way, Rougemount 1
Hosts 7 miles of hiking trails and 8 miles of single-track mountain biking trails as well as two picnic shelters with grills, a group camping site, a horseshoe pit and playground. enoriver.org/ what-we-protect/little-river-regional-park
RIVERWALK Eno River Parking Deck at the end of Nash and Kollock streets, adjacent to the Gateway Center (Main access) 2
415 Dimmocks Mill Rd., Hillsborough (Gold Park access) 140 E. Margaret Ln., Hillsborough (River Park access) A 1.8-mile paved, accessible, urban greenway that stretches along the Eno River between Gold Park and trails east of Hillsborough. It is popular for walking, jogging or cycling and connects several neighborhoods. hillsboroughnc.gov/community/ recreation-facilities/riverwalk 3
HISTORIC OCCONEECHEE SPEEDWAY TRAIL 320 Elizabeth Brady Rd., Hillsborough
The 1-mile oval dirt NASCAR speedway was active from 1948-1968, attracting the best stock car drivers and thousands of spectators. Today the track is enjoyed by hikers, runners and walkers. Other hiking trails surround the speedway. 4
SEVEN MILE CREEK NATURAL AREA 2187 Moorefields Rd., Hillsborough
Two miles of hiking trails through natural land undisturbed by roads; provides a home for various wildlife species. Includes the “Seven Mile Creek Sugar Maple Bottom,” the largest bottom land remaining in the county, and “Crabtree Creek Monadnock Ridge.”
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By Madel i ne Kraf t I l l ust rat i ons by Dani el l e J oseph of Ma s on Dixon Des ign s
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OCCONEECHEE MOUNTAIN STATE NATURAL AREA 625 Virginia Cates Rd., Hillsborough
Managed by the Eno River State Park. Offers 3 miles of riverside forests and trails where visitors can walk, fish and enjoy sweeping views of Orange County. Rangers lead regular interpretive programs throughout the natural area. Picnic tables are available near the parking lot. ncparks.gov/occoneechee-mountain-statenatural-area/home 6
GEORGE AND JULIA BRUMLEY FAMILY NATURE PRESERVE 3055 New Hope Church Rd., Chapel Hill (Southern parking lot)
3620 Old State Hwy. 10, Chapel Hill (Northern parking lot) This 613-acre preserve is a model for sustainable land management practices. It offers trails for hiking only, as well as multi-purpose trails where mountain biking is permitted. triangleland.org/explore/ nature-preserves/brumley-forest-nature-preserve 7
PUMPKIN LOOP TRAIL (35.9383040, -79.0731244)
A 2.5-mile easy trail loop in Carolina North Forest. The wide, crushed gravel and dirt surface makes the trail ideal for running and walking. It also connects many single-track trails that wind deeper into the forest. 8
BLACKWOOD FARM PARK 4215 Hwy. 86 S., Hillsborough
Features 4 miles of hiking trails, historic farmlands, open fields, picnic shelters with tables and a pond with fishing area, although no boating.