North Carolina is renowned for its diverse landscapes and outdoor adventures, and the Piedmont region is no exception. Whether you’re looking for fun around the Triad or beyond, the area is home to a wealth of hiking, biking, and paddling trails that deserve to be celebrated. In honor of Great Trails State Day coming up on October 19th, here’s some of our favorite places in the Piedmont region that showcase the beauty and diversity of North Carolina’s great outdoors and embody the spirit of the day. 

Hike 

Hiking, the original trail sport, is one of the purest ways you can experience the outdoors. While we do recommend some sturdy shoes, comfy clothes, a water bottle, and maybe some trail snacks, all you really need to enjoy a hike is your feet and a trail underneath them.  

• Uwharrie National Forest – Being the only National Forest in the Piedmont, it’s no surprise Uwharrie is home to some great trails and some of the largest untouched natural areas in the region.

• Cane Creek Mountains Natural Area – One of the newest trail systems in the area located in southern Alamance County, the Cane Creek Mountains Natural Area offers about 10 miles of trail stemming from two trail heads. The Piedmont Land Conservancy is hosting a guided hike here October 20, 2024 as part of the Great Trails State Day celebrations! The hike is limited to 30 participants, so claim your free tickets here before they’re sold out! 
• Hanging Rock/Pilot Mountain – While these state parks in the Sauratown Mountains spanning Stokes and Surry County are often recommended, its for good reason! Located just to the north of the Triad area, both parks are easily accessible from most of the surrounding region and offer some of the best hikes and views around.  

Bike 

If speed and adrenaline is what you crave while you enjoy the outdoors, the region offers plenty of opportunities for mountain biking at all skill levels, and there are even affordable options for renting bikes available to those who would rather not deal with bike racks or storage.  

• Rich Fork Preserve – Located right in the middle of the City of High Point, Rich Fork Preserve allows an escape to nature without ever leaving the city limits. The park is home to about 2.5 miles of multi use trails well maintained by the Piedmont Fat Tire Society perfect for a quick ride if you’re short on time for Great Trails State Day.
• Salem Lake Trail – If you’re looking for a more leisurely Great Trails State Day ride, the Salem Lake Trail in Forsyth County is a 7.1 mile smooth trail without any steep inclines or rough terrain offering an easy ride for all abilities! The trail circumnavigates Salem Lake, offering beautiful lake views for almost the entire length of the trail.
• Farris Memorial Park – Want to try out mountain biking but don’t have a bike? Farris Memorial Park in Rockingham County is the place to go! The park offers a beginner friendly 3 mile bike trail and Mayodan Parks and Recreation offers bike rentals for a nominal fee. They have kid’s sized bikes available for rent as well, so bring the whole family and try something new! 

Paddle 

Great Trails State Day isn’t just for celebrating land-based trails, the region is also home to some great paddle trails as well! There are rivers and lakes throughout the area to explore and enjoy nature beyond the bounds of dry land. 

• Yadkin River State Trail – Running from Kerr Scott Dam to Yadkin River Park with 17 public launch points, the Yadkin River State Trail is 163 miles of meandering scenic river to enjoy. The river is mostly flat water with a few class 1 and 2 ripples making it a great option for beginner to intermediate paddlers. You should expect to move about 3 miles per hour while paddling the Yadkin, so while you won’t be able to experience the entire trail in one day, it’s still a great place to plan a trip for GTSD!

• Dan River – 90 miles of the Dan River was established as a state paddle trail in 2021, spanning Surry, Stokes, and Rockingham Counties. There are public access points all along this span of the river making it easy to plan your paddle! The Dan is home to several outfitters if you would prefer a guided trip or just need to rent boats.  
• Haw River – If you’re looking for a mix of land and water for your Great Trails State Day adventure, the Haw River Trail might just be the perfect destination! The paddle trail runs north to south through Alamance County ending in Jordan Lake in neighboring Chatham County with 14 public river access points along the way. The land trail offers about 20 miles of scenic hiking along the river starting at Haw River State Park and overlapping with a section of the Mountains to Sea Trail. 

The Piedmont region of North Carolina is a hiker’s, biker’s, and paddler’s paradise, with its diverse landscapes, well-maintained trails, and beautiful rivers. Great Trails State Day is the perfect opportunity to lace up your boots, grab your bike, or hit the water and discover the natural wonders that the Piedmont has to offer. 

Keep an eye out on our Instagram page for more trail highlights and group hike opportunities leading up to Great Trails State Day on October 19th! 

 

Fall in the Piedmont is a great time to get outside, with vibrant displays of fall colors, crisp weather, and a variety of activities for the whole family! Whether you’re eager to explore nature, navigate through corn mazes, or enjoy one of the many fall festivals in the area, there’s plenty to do throughout the season. Here’s a guide to some of our favorite outdoor fall activities to enjoy with kids in the beautiful Piedmont-Triad area. 

 

Fall Foliage Hikes 

North Carolina offers some of the best fall colors to be found anywhere, and the Piedmont area is no exception. Here are some great spots for family-friendly hikes that showcase the season’s beauty: 

 

Hanging Rock State Park: Located in Stokes County, this park offers several trails suitable for all ages. The Hanging Rock Trail is a moderate hike that rewards you with spectacular views of the surrounding landscape, adorned in fall colors. The park is also home to a 0.1-mile ADA accessible trail, allowing for people of all abilities to get out and enjoy a crisp fall hike. 

 

Knight-Brown Nature Preserve: This hidden gem in Rockingham County offers peaceful trails through hardwood forests, perfect for a quiet family outing. The preserve is particularly beautiful in the fall, with vibrant leaves creating a picturesque backdrop. 

 

 

Pilot Mountain State Park: Just west of hanging rock in Surry County, this park features several trails that provide panoramic views of the Piedmont region. The Jomeokee Trail is a favorite for families, offering a relatively easy hike around the base of Pilot Mountain with the unique rock formations of the Pilot Knob on one side and breathtaking views of fall foliage on the other. 

 

Hagan-Stone Park: Located in Guilford County, this park offers a variety of trails that wind through scenic woodlands and around serene lakes. It’s an excellent spot for a leisurely hike and a picnic amidst the fall foliage. 

Corn Mazes 

Corn mazes are a staple of fall fun in North Carolina and are also usually accompanied by other great autumn attractions like hayrides, pumpkin patches, and more! 

Kersey Valley Maize Adventure: Located in Guilford County, this maze covers several acres and offers a variety of paths to explore. Each year, the maze features a new design, ensuring a unique experience every time. The maze is a part of the larger Kersey Valley adventure complex which is home to many other attractions including their Spooky Woods haunted tour, ziplining, escape room, and lots more, making it a major destination for fall fun in the Triad! 

 

Alpha & Omega Corn Maze: For our western Piedmont friends, the Alpha & Omega Corn Maze is located in southwestern Yadkin County in the town of Hamptonville. The 5-acre maze is surrounded by dozens of other great farm activities like axe throwing, play areas, fire pits, and even a pumpkin cannon! The farm also features a restaurant and entertainment stage with live music events happening throughout the season. 

 

 

 

Fall Festivals 

Fall festivals are a fantastic way to celebrate the season, offering a mix of entertainment, food, and activities. Here are some notable festivals in the Piedmont area: 

Autumn Leaves Festival: This October 11th-13th in historic downtown Mount Airy, the Autumn Leaves Festival is one of North Carolina’s longest running events with history dating back to 1966. They offer arts and crafts from 200+ vendors, live music celebrating the heritage of the area, and food of all flavors. While you’re there, be sure to grab one of Surry County’s famous ground steak sandwiches! Best of all, admission to this festival is free! 

 

Carolina Classic Fair: Held in Winston-Salem October 4th-13th, this fair is one of the largest in North Carolina. It features rides, games, live entertainment, and a variety of food vendors. The fair also includes agricultural exhibits and competitions, making it a fun and educational experience for kids. 

Lexington Barbecue Festival: This festival, set in historic Uptown Lexington, is an annual celebration of the world-famous Lexington style barbecue. Along with the amazing food you’ll find live music, arts and crafts, and a beer and wine garden for the grown-ups! The festival is one day only on October 26th. Admission is free but be sure to bring money for barbecue! 

 

The Piedmont area offers an incredible array of fall activities that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. Whether you’re hiking through colorful forests, getting lost in a corn maze, or enjoying the many local flavors at a fall festival, there’s no shortage of fun to be had. So, gather your family, embrace the crisp fall air, and make some unforgettable memories this season. 

 

Add chairs to the list of what trail runners stumble upon.  

By chairs, I mean the relaxing kind, the back-porch-on-a-Sunday-evening kind in which slowing down is possible. 

Last summer, some gracious soul(s) left two of these chairs overlooking Lake Brandt just steps away from the City of Greensboro’s Palmetto Trail. I had made my run beginning on the Nat Greene Trail, connecting to the paved portion of the Atlantic and Yadkin (A&Y) Greenway and then to the end of the Palmetto. 

 Walking back along the Palmetto felt like only a slight run recovery. It was hot, somehow muggy and dry at the same time, and I wondered at how challenging the distance had been. 

 Then, I spied those chairs. 

 The stillness and relative silence while sitting there felt like a true rest – rare while we’re busy with work, family, deadlines, driving, endless social media scrolling, etc. 

 And, like a good Millennial, I took a photo with my iPhone for an Instagram post, hence why you have the photo above. 

 The experience made me think of everything on the list of what trail runners come across: 

 Jutting roots and rocks. 

Spider webs. 

Squirrels. 

Occasional snake. 

Deer behind the trees. 

A wild turkey journeying alone. 

Once: a roughly foot-tall white mushroom shaped like the Holy Grail. 

Entire trails can feel like unique finds when you just start running them one day. Among the many differences between trail running and road running is the feeling of arrival (hopefully not just your foot arriving at a thick tree root). Trail running feels like arriving a something new over and over again. The bends, hills, holes and sticks constantly present something fresh to process mentally and physically. Placement of each stride matters. 

For me, running on the street or track for however long is linear. Your arrival in this sense is at the end of the 5K or half-marathon – the triumphant end point you’ve been daydreaming about for all those miles. It is beneficial to not dwell on each stride. 

Whatever your preference is, I highly suggest that stretch of interconnected trails in Greensboro that includes the Nat Greene Trail, Palmetto Trail and the A&Y Greenway. The latter is paved along the Lake Brandt portion, so if that’s your flavor, you get the lake and wooded views all on a smooth surface. If you’re just getting into trail running or looking for a highly accessible trail running experience, the stretch I outline is a perfect four miles or so. I love a good long drive to a remote mountain trail as much as the next person, but more often I need to hit a trail on the same Saturday filled with my boys’ soccer games, mowing the yard, and grilling dinner. 

The City of Greensboro has a webpage detailing the trails if you want to plan your visit: Hiking Trails | Greensboro, NC (greensboro-nc.gov)  

I recommend parking at the Lake Brandt Marina (5945 Lake Brandt Road) to start at the Nat Greene Trail or start at the other end by parking in a small lot off Old Battleground Road and beginning down the Palmetto. 

Enjoy the time if you make your way out there. The chairs are no longer in the same spot, but it will be interesting to see what else you stumble upon. 

 

 

 

The Piedmont Triad region is host to a fast-growing array of biking trails and areas that cater to all skill levels and abilities. Whether you want to spend the weekend exploring the vast expanse of the Uwharrie National forests, or just sneak off during your lunch break for a quick ride on some slightly more urban trails, there are plenty of options to get out and ride your bike in the area!

Rich Fork Preserve (High Point) – A hidden gem, tucked right in the middle of the city, Rich Fork Preserve has 2.2 miles of well marked, well maintained multi use trails packed with berms, rollers, moderately steep climbs and descents, and creek crossings. The trails are easy to access with ample parking, and great for a quick getaway into the woods. Also, there is a new phase of development coming soon, so keep an eye out for new trails here!

Farris Memorial Park (Mayodan) – A great little trail system in Rockingham County, Farris Park offers a beginner friendly 1 mile inner loop as well as a more challenging 2 mile outer loop. The trails feature lots of switchbacks, stream crossings and rock gardens, all while meandering through old growth hardwood and mixed pine forests. Mayodan Parks and Recreation also offers bike rentals for a nominal fee with youth sized bikes available, making Farris Park a great place to try out mountain biking!

Kernersville Bike Park – A 27 acre park located just minutes from downtown, Kernersville Bike Park offers a 3.9 mile bidirectional loop full of unique features. The main trail is great for beginner to intermediate riders, with more advanced options for experienced riders. Some of the advanced features include drops, wooden roller coaster features, and a downhill berm section. The park features a large parking lot with primitive bathrooms and a changing station. 

Country Park (Greensboro) – Country Park offers several miles of cross country riding with the Copperhead and Lakeside trails, a freeride zone for more adventurous riders, and a 1.5 mile paved loop for those who like to keep their tires planted firmly on the ground. Copperhead is a more intermediate trail featuring lots of rocks, roots, climbs and descents with an optional jump line. If you want even more jumps, the freeride zone is packed full of advanced features to really test your skills with big jumps and tight berms. And if all of that is too wet but you still have the itch to get a ride in, the paved trail is a great option!

Moore’s Springs Trails (Hanging Rock) – Located within Hanging Rock State Park in the northern part of the Piedmont, Moore’s Springs offers 20 miles of top tier trails with something for every skill level from the Hognose trail for beginners, all the way up to the aptly named Rattler trail for the more seasoned riders. The park is split by Moore’s Spring road, with the southern portion featuring old school hand-built singletrack, with modern machine built trails all the way up to the banks of the Dan river making up the northern section. All trails loop back to a great parking and picnic area and there are plenty more amenities including camping nearby in the main area of the state park

Owl’s Roost (Greensboro) – One of the premier trails in Greensboro, Owl’s Roost offers 3.7 miles of technical riding along the scenic shores of Lake Brandt and Horsepen Creek with lots of dips, turns, and hills. It was voted best urban bike trail in the country by Bicycling Magazine all the way back in 2003 and is still in prime form 20 years later. The trail is part of Bur-Mill Park in northwest Greensboro which offers several more mellow trails and other amenities if that’s more your speed.

Uwharrie National Forest – Being the only national forest area in the Piedmont, it’s no surprise that Uwharrie offers miles of trails to enjoy. The Wood Run trails offer 22 miles of mountain bike specific trails with plenty of steeps, rocks and roots, creek crossings to keep you entertained, and plenty of space for long rides. If that’s not enough, there’s plenty more multi use trails throughout the national park area. Uwharrie also offers cabin rentals, campgrounds, as well as free dispersed campsites all over the park, so it’s a great destination to stay a while and enjoy all the park has to offer!

Salem Lake (Winston Salem) – If a more leisurely ride is what you’re after, the Salem Lake loop is an excellent option! The 7 mile loop offers lots of scenic views of the lake, with plenty of great spots to stop and rest along the way. The trail is wide enough for uninterrupted bidirectional traffic, and is lined with gravel to allow for riding in damp conditions. The wide well maintained trail could also be a great option for adaptive cycling equipment. Parking is available at each end of the lake, with a paved lot at the Salem Lake marina, and a small gravel lot accessible from Linville road.

Many of our mountain bike trails are meticulously maintained by volunteers for the love of the sport so it is imperative that we treat all our trails with respect. Check for trail closures before riding, never ride on wet or damaged trails, and as always, leave no trace! If you would like to volunteer to help maintain trails in the area, please contact the Piedmont Fat Tire Society.

Disc golf is one of my favorite leisure sports to play when the weather is nice. It gives me the opportunity to get some sun, get out in nature, and exercise while walking the course. It is very approachable for beginner’s so I love to bring in people who have never played before as well. 

 

I have been playing disc golf since I was around 10 or 11 years old. I used to go out with my family and play at our local park in Charlotte. It was one of the activities we would do if it was a nice day out. We stopped playing it as frequently as I got older but every once in a while, we would still go out and enjoy a nice day tossing some frisbees. Then, when COVID hit and most activities were shut down, I started to play disc golf again. This time though, with my best friend from home. We started to play multiple times a week and it became one of our favorite pastimes that let us enjoy the outdoors during a time when that was hard to do.  

 

I graduated from high school in the middle of COVID and went to UNC Greensboro here in the Triad. I made sure to bring my discs in case I found some courses nearby the school. Luckily, I found the app uDisc and saw that there were plenty of disc golf courses near me. So, yet another chapter in my disc golf life started as I began to go play whenever I had the time and the weather was nice. It wasn’t super frequent but I made sure to go out a few times each semester. The disc golf courses that I frequented the most in the Triad were at Keeley Park, Barber Park, Sunrise, and Triad Park.  

 

My  disc golf outings are becoming more and more frequent.. During the most recent stretch I have been trying to diversify the courses that I have played at. The last course that I played at that I had never been to before was The Regulator at Cedarock Park in Burlington, NC. That course was home to the 2023 United States Women’s Disc Golf Championships, and it was very telling. It was an incredibly difficult course with a lot of woods and technical shots while also maintaining some length. At the same time, it is probably the most beautiful course that I have ever played. I completely recommend it to anyone, however, for people who are closer to a beginner/amateur level like myself then I recommend playing at either Cedarock or Wellspring which are also on the Cedarock property right next to the Regulator.

 

This course just motivated me more to get even better and play on more beautiful courses in the area. Some of the courses that I am looking to play soon include The Crossing in Kernersville, Garden Grove in Pleasant Garden, Davie Disc Golf Course in Mocksville, and Neatman Creek in Germanton. Using the website www.nctriadoutdoors.com and the app uDisc, I was able to find all of these courses and plan a visit.  

 

Another big thing to consider is where to get the discs from if you have never played. There are plenty of shops that are specifically geared towards the sport, however I find that going to Play It Again sports is the way to go. They have a wide selection especially for beginners who are just looking for some discs to throw. They have used discs that can range from $5-$20 each and they sometimes have a variety of new discs. Just make sure to write your name and number on your discs and you will be all set and ready to go. 

 

As I have recently been getting more and more into the sport of disc golf I have realized how vast the community truly is. Every time I have been out to play there have been groups of other people playing. Everyone is always kind and I have learned a lot from watching people play when I am out on the course. It seems like as long as I have played it this sport has only continued to grow and I can only expect it to keep doing so. Whether you have ever played or even thrown a frisbee I recommend giving it a shot in some nice weather, especially now in spring. I look forward to going out and playing with friends, having good conversations, and having a good time while playing a fun sport on beautiful land.

The Yadkin River has seen usage since the earliest settlements in the Americas, being utilized not only by the settlers in the early 18^th century but also before this time period by the indigenous peoples of North America. In fact, we can still see remnants of its use by these groups of people still today. Evidence of these early settlements are still able to be seen today in the form of weirs found all over the Yadkin River, however, it is important to remember not to damage or change the weirs if found. Historical information like this and more can be found in the Yadkin River State Blueways Trail. This Blueways guide was able to be made through the collaboration of NCTriad and YadkinRiverKeeper. Having all the information you could need about the Yadkin River from interesting historical facts to all of the paddling access points to the river. The goal of this guide was to provide people of the outdoors the accessibility to all of this information at their fingertips (not only in the form of a brochure but also a web guide available here ) , giving more people the ability to use the Yadkin River for recreational use. A constant goal of state parks is to give the population the opportunity to explore and experience new places and activities and this Blueways guide is an example of that. However, we mustn’t forget that with all of the use of the Yadkin River we must also keep it clean and safe so that people will be able to continue using the Yadkin River for centuries to come. Practicing Leave No Trace is a good way to ensure this and there are other safety protocols inside the guide itself. Practicing Leave No Trace looks like planning ahead and preparing, traveling and camping on durable surfaces, dispose of waste properly, leave what you find, minimize campfire impacts, respect wildlife, and finally being considerate of others. These are the 7 principles of Leave No Trace and they are important to follow in order to keep our State Rivers and outdoors safe.

This trail is in the High Point area of Guilford County and is welcoming to dogs as long as they are leashed. Rates as an easier trail and is 1.8 miles of natural surface trail through the hardwood and pine forest. Enjoy the beautiful scenery of High Point Lake and make sure to bring binoculars as this is a popular place for bird watching.

 

What do publicly accessible trails and greenways mean to us? The answer undoubtably took on new meaning and importance in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, even if the question has always been vital. A group of forward-thinking and outdoor-minded stakeholders framed the question at a state scale to see what can happen when attention, advocacy, and funding can come together around trail development. Several trail organizations, including the Piedmont Legacy Trails, formed the Great Trail State Coalition (GTSC) to increase awareness of the benefits of trails and advocate for State funding. The idea was to build on the increased trail usage during the COVID-19 pandemic and the addition of six State Trails in two years.

After the GTSC decided to request the NC General Assembly to designate 2023 as the Year of the Trail (YOTT), the year is in full swing. Organizations of all kinds are holding events in all 100 counties, which also court elected officials so they can see first-hand the value of trails to all who live, work and visit North Carolina.

To make this year a big success, GSTC hired consultants and invested in a multimedia campaign including a website, toolkit for events, calendar, videos, social media, radio and billboards. Check out the work here: https://greattrailsnc.com.

In Randolph County, the Heart of NC Visitor Bureau/Tourism Development Authority (TDA) is featuring the YOTT on the 2023 Travel Guide along with its 25th Anniversary. The TDA also is providing promotional materials including banners, yard signs, stickers and T-shirts for all the YOTT events.

Randolph County Trails has 12 YOTT events planned and the 2023 Healthy Communities Monthly Hikes and Fall Mayor’s Fitness Challenge feature the YOTT monthly themes. Both are free and all are welcome. So far YOTT events included First Day Outdoors in Franklinville in January, Worthville Boat Access Ribbon Cutting in March, and Asheboro’s Center City Garden Ground Breaking on April 29. Each event featured a YOTT banner, signs, stickers and attracted many elected officials. Check the Heart of NC Event Round Up site for events planned for the rest of the year.

Deep River Trail in Franklinville	Worthville Boat Access Ribbon Cutting	Asheboro’s Center City Garden Ground Breaking