Benable — create shareable lists of things you recommend!
E.g., products you love, local businesses, travel recs - you can add anything to a Benable list!
Triangle Trails I’d Actually Hike Again: 15 Routes Around Raleigh & Durham
15
items If you’re in the Raleigh / Durham area and want trails that locals really use, this list is for you. I’ve pulled together my favorite greenways, lake loops, and forest hikes within an easy drive of the Triangle. Expect a mix of quick after-work walks...
Map
Sections
3
Close-In Classics
Rivers, Lakes & Long Greenways
“Feels Like a Getaway” Woods & Ridge Hikes
Close-In Classics
These are the “I have 90 minutes and need some trees” options. Easy to reach from Raleigh or Durham, well-marked, and great for regular movement rather than epic summit days.
Gentle loop through tall pines with lake views and just enough roots to feel like “real” hiking. Perfect starter trail if you’re new to Umstead.
Sal’s Branch Trail, Umstead State Park (Raleigh)
My go-to weekend loop when I want rolling hills, creek crossings, and that classic Triangle forest feel without a long drive. Feels surprisingly remote in the middle section.
Company Mill Loop, Umstead State Park (Raleigh/Cary)
Slightly quieter than Company Mill and a little more elevation. Great “training hike” with a mix of creekside sections and ridge walking.
Sycamore Trail, Umstead State Park (Raleigh)
Packed gravel loop used by a lot of runners and walkers. Shady, rolling, and super convenient if you’re on the Duke side of town.
Al Buehler Trail (Duke Faculty Club loop, Durham)
Network of logging roads and singletrack where you can customize distance. Feels much wilder than you’d expect for being this close to town.
Duke Forest – Gate 23 Area (Durham)
Rivers, Lakes & Long Greenways
Water views, big mileage, and bike-friendly options. These are ideal for strollers, new hikers, and days when you want more distance without technical terrain.
27+ miles of paved path that you can sample in short chunks. I like the sections with boardwalks over the wetlands and the stretches right along the river. Great for bikes, scooters, and long walks.
Neuse River Greenway Trail (Raleigh)
Rails-to-trails route that’s shaded, flat, and perfect for building distance on foot or by bike. The bridges over I-40 and the open farm fields are fun “landmarks” along the way.
American Tobacco Trail (Durham to Apex/Cary)
The paved east side is stroller-friendly with big lake views; the wooded west side gives you more of a “hike” with roots and hills. I love combining both for a full loop.
Lake Johnson East & West Loop Trails (Raleigh)
Easy riverside paths, historic mill, and lots of spots to dip your feet in. This is where I send families and friends who want a mellow nature fix plus a picnic.
West Point on the Eno (Durham)
Relaxed paved riverwalk that links right into a forested loop around a historic NASCAR dirt track. It’s a fun mix of nature and quirky local history.
Hillsborough Riverwalk & Occoneechee Speedway Trail (Hillsborough)
“Feels Like a Getaway” Woods & Ridge Hikes
These require just a little more driving or climbing, but you get suspension bridges, overlooks, and that mini-mountain vibe that makes you forget you’re still in the Triangle.
Starts with a suspension bridge, then climbs to a quiet ridge with side trails and river views. A solid moderate loop without being extreme.
Cox Mountain Trail, Eno River State Park (Durham)
Rolling terrain, rocky riverbanks, and a few short climbs. I like it for cooler days when you want to hear the Eno rushing by the whole time.
Buckquarter Creek & Holden Mill Loop, Eno River State Park (Durham)
Chill network of forest trails where you can stitch together your own loop. The “That Makes Sense” trail with interpretive signs is especially good for kids.
Horton Grove Nature Preserve (Bahama / North Durham)
Short loop with a surprisingly steep little climb to one of the highest overlooks in the Triangle. Great place for sunset and for seeing mountain laurel in bloom.
Occoneechee Mountain Loop Trail (Hillsborough)
Unique micro-climate with hemlocks clinging to the bluffs and boardwalks that keep you off fragile areas. The loop is short but feels totally different from typical Triangle pine woods.
Hemlock Bluffs Nature Preserve (Cary)