Blog - Page 7 of 14 - My Walk in the Woods

40 Hike Challenge: #26 Bentonville Battlefield

Distance: 2.3 miles one way

Degree of difficulty: Easy

Elevation Change: Gain, 82 feet; loss, 75 feet

Source: Great Day Hikes of North Carolina’s Mountains – to – Sea Trail

The Bentonville Historic Trail is #26 of the 40 Hike Challenge. You can read about the others here. Bentonville Battlefield located in segment 12 of the MST is the site of North Carolina’s largest battle in the Civil War. Confederates suffered approximately 2,600 casualties: 239 killed, 1,694 wounded and 673 missing. The Union army had 1,527 casualties: 194 killed, 1,112 wounded, and 221 missing. Occurring in the last days of the War, in March 1865, it was one of many tipping points which lead to the final resolution of this sad and bloody chapter in our nation’s history.

Wildcat Rock Trail – Upper Hickory Nut Gorge Trail

The Wildcat Rock Trail is part of the Upper Hickory Nut Gorge Trail in Henderson County, NC. This national award winning trail is also a portion of the planned Hickory Nut Gorge Trail that will one day be 100 + miles linking many of the existing trails and breath taking vistas as well as encircling scenic Lake Lure. In 2017 this project was designated as the Hickory Nut Gorge State Trail. Conserving Carolina continues on the front lines of this project and many other excellent trails and greenways. Their dedication, vision and success in working with communities, neighbors, developers and regulatory agencies is worthy of recognition.

40 Hike Challenge: #25 Smithfield’s Neuse Riverwalk

Distance: 3.1 miles one way

Degree of difficulty: Easy

Elevation Change: Gain, 73 feet; loss, 85 feet

Source: Great Day Hikes of North Carolina’s Mountains – to – Sea Trail

The Smithfield Riverwalk in segment 11 of the Mountains-To-Sea-Trail combines the serenity of the Neuse River with the active downtown of Historic Smithfield. The hiker on this trail gets a complete overview of the vibrant community by traveling from a state of the art recreation complex; an undisturbed woodland area; a calming river and concluding in a revitalized town with much character.

40 Hike Challenge: #24 Raleigh’s Neuse River Greenway

Distance: 4.4 miles one way

Degree of difficulty: Easy

Elevation Change: Gain, 211 feet; loss, 181 feet

Source: Great Day Hikes of North Carolina’s Mountains – to – Sea Trail

This Day Hike is listed in the 40 Hike Challenge guide as the first in the Coastal Region. The Mountains to Sea Trail runs concurrently with the Neuse River Trail which is also part of the East Coast Greenway, an exciting trail project to connect Maine to Florida. The Neuse River Trail follows the river from Falls Lake Dam to Clayton, NC. It is a paved undulating greenway that is available for hikers as well as cyclists. On this early, brisk, Friday morning in November there were only a few joggers on the trail.

40 Hike Challenge: #22 & #23 The Falls Lake Trail + Raven Ridge Rd to Falls Lake Dam

The Falls Lake Trail and the Mountains to Sea Trail run concurrently along the southern border of the undisturbed water reservoir of Falls Lake, extending well beyond the reaches of the Eno River to the west and the Neuse River at the Falls Lake Dam to the East. Even though there are many access points and being in close proximity to the metropolitan area surrounding Raleigh, the trail feels as if you are hours away from any traffic or cities.