There are so many spectacular walking and hiking trails in the Triangle area of North Carolina and we are stoked to share our favorites with you!

We love going on walks as a family. It’s free, an easy but impactful way to move our bodies, and it gets us outside- our favorite place to be!

We are so lucky to live somewhere so beautiful and we’ve found some trails that boast stunning surroundings. We may not have roaring waterfalls or rolling mountains like WNC, but if you know where to look (and you do now— you’re welcome!), you can find peaceful meadows, mature oak trees, rushing rivers, and trickling creeks.

Walking Trails in Raleigh

Durant Nature Preserve

Durant Nature Preserve is a beautiful 237-acre park in North Raleigh with hiking trails that follow streams, wildflowers, lakes, and forests. There are five trails to choose from, and most are unpaved and ALL are a delightful escape into nature.

Green Hills County Park

Green Hills is one of the coolest parks in Raleigh because it offers one of the tallest views in the area! It’s an old landfill (you would never know- I promise!) and it was covered up with a massive hill of grass.

The park offers both paved and unpaved trails, with the “top of the hill” trail being gravel. It’s a hill, so it will get you a little winded, but the view from the top is worth it. We love to take this short hike to the top and have a picnic above the Raleigh trees.

North Carolina Museum of Art

The North Carolina Museum of Art doesn’t just offer art, and it’s a shame that many people don’t realize this! The park outside is gorgeous, containing gardens, art installations, a pond, and 4.7 miles of paved and gravel trails. As both the museum and park are free to access, this is a great spot to admire art, have a picnic, and take a walk as a family.

Shelley Lake Park

Shelley Lake is a lovely 2-mile paved path around the lake. The views alone are worth the walk, but our favorite part about this one is the eagle’s nest! Keep an eye out high in the trees surrounding the path, and you may find the resident family of large bald eagles.

William B. Umstead State Park

Umstead Park is a large state park (we are talking more than 5,000 acres) and it’s truly a serene oasis in the middle of the Triangle. There are numerous hiking trails here, and many of them are interconnected. We recommend knowing which one you want to do beforehand and closely following the markers.

For a seriously fun, quirky surprise, visit the big fallen oak tree that has been transformed by Smoky Mountain Art with their impressive chainsaw art! This can be accessed via the Graylyn trail, and Visit Raleigh has excellent, in-depth instructions on where to find it.

Trails in Cary

Lake Crabtree County Park

Lake Crabtree County Park is gorgeous, and although they’re sadly closing their multi-use trails, my favorite trail will remain open! The Lake Trail is a winding, paved path that follows the water. There’s also a long concrete boardwalk across the water. It’s a great place to spot birds, fish, and turtles!

Fred G. Bond Metro Park

I think Fred G. Bond Metro Park is one of the prettiest parks in the Triangle. The 2-mile lake trail is a loop surrounding the lake, and on sunny days, the water looks so blue! The trail is a mix of paved and natural paths with roots throughout, but it stays relatively flat, making it an easy hike for most skill levels!

Hemlock Bluffs Nature Preserve

Hemlock Bluffs is one of the most unique trails on this list, thanks to its surprising flora and fauna that are typically only found in the mountains! It’s an extraordinary place to learn and explore while getting some exercise.

There are three trails here, and our favorite is the Swift Creek Loop. It’s a short hiking trail with boardwalks and stairs, and what we believe to be the best views of the hemlock trees due to the overlooks.

Trails in Wake Forest

E. Carroll Joyner Park

Joyner Park is our favorite park to walk, have picnics, and fly kites. As Wake Forest is growing quickly and rapidly losing its widespread forests, Joyner Park feels like a breath of fresh air—a reminder of the longstanding beauty of my hometown.

It is more than 100 acres of grassy hills, huge oak trees, restored farm buildings, ponds, and gardens. There are three miles of paved trails, and the view never gets boring.

Horseshoe Farm Nature Preserve

I’ve shared about my love for Horseshoe Farm in the past, as it was my late childhood dog’s favorite place in the world. It remains one of mine as well.

This nature preserve is so special thanks to its serenity and natural beauty. We love walking the 0.9-mile unpaved perimeter Meadow Loop trail that surrounds the field and follows the tree line. There’s also a short half-mile River Walk Trail that brings you down to the Neuse River and back up to the Meadow Loop.

Wake Forest Reservoir

Wake Forest Reservoir has an underrated soft trail that follows the west side of the reservoir and back (the full loop around the water is not yet completed). It’s about 3 miles round trip and thanks to the small, narrow shape of the reservoir, stays right by the water the entire time. We especially love coming here in the fall!

Trails in Durham

Duke Forest

Duke Forest is home to 7,000 acres of beautiful trees and fields in the heart of Durham. It’s owned by Duke University for research and teaching purposes, making it a fun place to hike and learn. There are a lot of trails suitable for hiking, marked by blue dots. We enjoyed the Shepherd Nature Trail, which is a one-mile loop with interpretive trail signs offering interesting facts and visuals about the forest.

Eno River State Park

Eno River State Park is one of the most beautiful areas in the triangle with tons of trail options. We loved the Buckquarter Creek Trail because it begins in a popular swimming/wading area. We look forward to returning in the summer so that we can finish our 1.5 mile hike in the cool water!

Other Great Trails in the Triangle

Occoneechee Speedway in Hillsborough

The second-oldest NASCAR track has been repurposed into a one-mile walking trail through history. Occoneechee Speedway is a dirt path through tall trees and green fields spotted with relics from the track’s glory days, including old race cars, grandstands, and ticket booths!

Apex Community Park

I adore the town of Apex, and this park brings me so much peace every time I visit. There’s a two-mile paved, flat path surrounding a picturesque lake, making it perfect for family walks and bike rides.

Don’t forget the Greenways!

The Capital Area Greenway System is one of the best initiatives in the Raleigh area and prioritizes public trail systems. These greenways are scattered across the Triangle and vary in beautiful landscapes.
Some are along the Neuse River while others wind through farmland. It’s a fantastic network of paved paths that are worth exploring.

We loved the Hatcher Creek Greenway when we lived in Morrisville. There’s a long wooden foot bridge over the creek and swamps and under a canopy of lush trees that our son loved running on and it makes for some pretty cool pictures too!

Find a greenway access near you. You won’t regret it!

We hope you’ve discovered a few new trails in the Triangle to enjoy on your next walk or hike! After writing this up, we are feeling pretty lucky to live somewhere so lush! Let’s all make an effort to get outside more often and make good use of these spectacular trails so close to home.