Distance: 2.9 miles (one-way)
Degree of difficulty: Easy
Elevation Change: Gain, 244 feet; loss, 253 feet
Source: Great Day Hikes of North Carolina’s Mountains – to – Sea Trail
This hike on the Haw River and through the Glencoe Village is definitely a hidden treasure. Not being from this area, I did not know really what to expect from Hike #19 of the 40 Hike Challenge, but I thoroughly enjoyed this walk. I highly recommend it and I am truly grateful that the Friends of the Mountains-to-Sea trail included it in the Challenge. There is much to see and explore beyond a typical walk in the woods. Information about the Haw River Trail can be found at this link. The organization is working with the MST to provide more continuous trails through Alamance County.
The trailhead is at Great Bend Park and while the Haw River Trail and MST run concurrently here, there are also other trails to explore as well as paddle access to the river. I obviously enjoy hiking, but I am also an avid history buff- the trail helps preserve a lot of the local history and the connection with the vibrant textile industry that was so vital to North Carolina’s economy.
The designers of the trail have provided a lot of access points to great vistas of the Haw River along with the Glencoe dam. It is a great place to explore and obviously there are cautions signs about staying off of the spillway, etc.
Along the path, there are numerous historical markers with pictures and enlightening details about the specific area.
After a short walk along the river, the trail adds a twist for the hiker by continuing through the Glencoe Mill village. The village and Glencoe cotton mill were established in the late 1800’s. The village is a quaint series of streets where each of the houses have been restored and well preserved. All of the people I met seemed to be enjoying a quiet, peaceful community. Walking down the street was like reminiscing of calmer times and these families were obviously making it work.
The Textile Heritage Museum is located at the end of the street and is open Tues. – Sat. from 9am-5pm.
The hike returns back to the edge of the Haw River just outside of the Glencoe village (at the Paddle Access). The walk along this portion is one of the more pleasing that I have experienced in the 40 Hike Challenge. The sounds of the gentle flowing water provides a peace and serenity that you can only find in rare places.
As I approached Stoney Creek Marina and the end of my hike, my thoughts went back to my experience walking through Glencoe Village. I couldn’t help but be reminded of the small town I grew up in – Drexel, NC. Drexel was notable because of the well respected Drexel Furniture. However, like so many of the furniture and textile downs in North Carolina, it has seen better days. Now the factory is gone- demolished in fact, and the town does not have the same “Mayberry” feel as it did when I grew up. But I was encouraged by this hike today because you can see the tangible effects of what happens when a community of concerned people get together. I think this could be one of the great examples of what trails and recreation areas can do for communities that are in the need of revitalization.
This project is one of the many productive and encouraging effects of trails and I am thankful for the MST and other organizations that embrace the small towns and breathe new life into their communities. I urge you to support any of the trail organizations around you that have this vision.
For more information about the Haw River Trail, I urge you to visit their website. https://www.thehaw.org/
and the Friends of the Mountains-to-Sea Trail: https://mountainstoseatrail.org/
Very interesting!!!! Beautiful photos