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.
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.
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!
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!
Sam is a Regional Planner for the Piedmont Triad Regional Council and the Web Developer for NC Triad Outdoors. He is a former collegiate cyclist and frequents the mountain bike trails around the Triad. He also loves fishing on Oak Hollow Lake, hiking in the Sauratown Mountains, and riding dirt bikes on the Uwharrie OHV trails.