Mountains to Sea Trail Archives - Page 7 of 12

40 Hike Challenge: #21 The Eno River

Distance: 4.4 miles (one-way) – Option 2

Degree of difficulty: Easy to Moderate

Elevation Change: Gain, 398 feet; loss, 463 feet

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

Hike #21 begins just a couple miles from the start of Segment 10 on the Mountains to Sea Trail. The Eno River is prominent in the Piedmont Region of the MST, in fact it follows the Eno for over 20 miles. The Eno and the associated State Park are very convenient to Durham and they offer many trails and areas to get away from the hustle and bustle of the metropolitan area.

40 Hike Challenge: #20 Hillsborough’s Riverwalk

Distance: 2.1 miles (one-way)

Degree of difficulty: Easy

Elevation Change: Gain, 101 feet; loss, 108 feet

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

Hike #20 through Hillsborough is another example of the positive impact that trails and greenways can have on a community. This collaboration combines parks, playgrounds, dog park, Eno River, farmer’s market, restaurants and a replica Native American village and even an historic speedway. This past Saturday was a comfortable Fall day, so it was no surprise to see many families out enjoying the trail. This portion of the MST is in Section 9.

40 Hike Challenge: #19 The Haw River Trail

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.

40 Hike Challenge #18: Greensboro Watershed Lakes

Distance: 3.5 miles (one-way)

Degree of difficulty: Easy

Elevation Change: Gain, 401 feet; loss, 430 feet

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

Hike #18 of the Mountains to Sea 40 Hike Challenge follows concurrently with the Laurel Bluffs Trail from Lake Brandt Marina to the N. Church St. Parking area. This series of trails offers excellent opportunities to experience many aspects of the nature preserve not far from the busy metro area of Greensboro and it’s surrounding neighborhoods. Lake Brandt offers different options for the public to experience the outdoors with fishing, canoeing, kayaking, paddleboarding or just relaxing by the water. However, swimming is not allowed in Lake Brandt.

40 Hike Challenge #17: Cascades Preserve loop

Distance: 2.0 mile (loop)

Degree of difficulty: Easy

Elevation Change: Gain, 268 feet; loss, 268 feet

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

It was great to get back to the 40 Hike Challenge. Since I have completed most of the challenge’s day hikes in Western North Carolina, I have had to do some strategic planning to get to the hikes further east. With Fall finally starting to arrive and after waiting out a week of rain, it was exciting to have a weekend to explore portions of our great state that I have never seen. Hike #17, The Cascades Preserve, is situated just outside of Greensboro in Segment 8 of the MST.