Incredible Hiking Trails to Check Out Near Raleigh, North Carolina

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Looking for some great hiking? I’ll admit, people don’t come to the triangle for hiking. The triangle (Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill) is a lively place full of culture, great food, and plenty of things to do… but you won’t see any mountain tops around here! For those of us who love a little outdoor adventure, the Raleigh/Durham, NC area has ample opportunity to go hiking if you’re willing to look for it. There are a handful of nature trails within and just outside of the city or plenty of longer, more strenuous hikes near Raleigh, NC! 

There is a bit of something for everyone and in this article, I’m sharing the best hikes in and within 2 hours of Raleigh/Durham. 

TIPS FOR HIKING

Whether you’ve been hiking for years or are about to embark on your first hiking adventure, it takes a bit of planning. If you’re not familiar with the Raleigh area, I’m sharing some tips that may make your hikes near Raleigh, NC more enjoyable.

• Be prepared for any weather

We have a saying in NC. If you don’t like the weather right now, wait 5 minutes. In the spring and summer, weather can be a bit unpredictable. In the spring and fall, temperature swings can be up to 40 degrees different! And in the summer, expect humidity and the constant chance of a rain storm. No matter the time of year, I always pack this pullover and a good raincoat (I love that you can hide the hood on this one!).

• Bug spray will be your best friend

The mosquitoes here are no joke. We also have ticks and many other biting insects. But mainly the mosquitoes… They are truly relentless! Pack a great bug spray and slather yourself in it. We love this DEET alternative and I’m a sucker for good packaging 😉 And believe it or not, the bracelets work really well, too.

• A good pair of hiking shoes goes a long way

Hiking boots aren’t necessary, it is nice to have. If you are a frequent hiker or looking to pick up the hobby you’ll be glad you got a pair! The grips are great for avoiding slips in muddy weather. Make sure they’re waterproof for any incidental creek crossings or rain storms! I love these boots but have my eye on these cuties!

• Bring more water than you think you need

No one wants to be thirsty on a hike. A good rule of thumb is 1 liter per person for every 4-5 miles but depending on the difficulty and heat you may want more than that! I always pack the recommended amount plus some more. Don’t forget plenty of water for any pets you bring along, too!

• Snacks. Always snacks.

No one wants to be hungry on a hike, either! My personal favorite is a PB&J at the summit of every hike but I also love easy to grab things like nuts, apples, and snack bars. 

• Leave no trace.

It’s hard to enjoy a hike when it’s covered in trash. That also harms the ecosystem and ruins it for generations to come! Anytime you’re in nature, make sure you follow the leave no trace principles. The biggies are to pack away your trash, leave nothing behind, stay on the trail, and don’t approach wildlife. I always end up picking up others’ trash too if I see it! You can read more about LNT here.

Looking for hikes in the mountains? Look no further than a visit to Asheville, NC.

only 3.5 hours from Raleigh!

HIKES WITHIN RALEIGH, NC

Lake Johnson Trail

• 4.2 miles
• Follows a lake
• Moderate
• Right near the heart of Raleigh

House Creek Greenway Trail

• 6.7 miles, out and back
• Located near the city center
• Moderate
• Dog friendly
• Plenty of opportunities to see wildflowers in the spring and summer!

North Carolina Museum of Art Park

• 1.7 mile loop
• More of an urban walk near the art museum
• Easy
• Very popular but includes art and nature exhibits!

Umstead State Park 

There are many trails located within Umstead State Park, but here are a few of my favorites. 

Company Mill Loop

• 5.9 mile loop
• Dog friendly
• Features a creek, an old dam, and bridges
• Moderate

Sycamore Trail

• 7.2 mile loop
• Dog friendly 
• Small waterfalls, a creek but no lookouts 
• Moderate

HIKES WITHIN 2 HOURS OF RALEIGH NC

Eno River State Park

Located in Durham, Eno River has several great trails 

Cox Mountain Trail Loop

• 4.0 mile loop 
• Dog friendly
• Follows the river for a bit 
• Easy

Cabelands Trail to Eno Quarry

• 22 mile loop
• Dog friendly
• Takes you to the quarry which is popular for swimming
• Moderate

American Tobacco Trail

American Tobacco is a point-to-point trail that has multiple access points and travels through Durham, Cary, and Apex. 

• 21.9 mile point-to-point
• VERY popular for runners, bikers, and walkers alike
• Dog friendly
• Easy

Occoneechee Mountain Loop Trail

• 2.3 mile loops
• Located in Hillborough, NC
• Moderate
• Features a creek but no true “lookout” 

Panther Creek Greenway

• 3.1 out and back
• Located in Cary, NC
• Paved and dog friendly 

Hanging Rock State Park

Located near Winston Salem, NC this park is about 2 hours away and has some of the best trails around! 

Hanging Rock and Window Falls Trails

• 3.5 miles out and back
• Dog friendly
• Moderate
• Features waterfalls and good lookout points

Upper Cascade Falls and Rock Gardens

• .8 miles out and back 
• Dog friendly
• Features an impressive waterfall view
• Easy

Pilot Mountain State Park

This state park features a very distinct mountain for its namesake with lots of beautiful trails surrounding it.

Pilot Mountain via Grindstone

• 2.6 miles loop
• Moderate with lots of up and downs
• Lookouts on your way and then up to the top of Pilot Mountain

Laurel Bluff and Reedy Fork Loop

• 7.4 mile loops trail
• Located near Greensboro, NC
• Easy, mostly just “a walk in the woods”
• Dog friendly

Raven Rock Loop Trail

• 2.6 miles loop
• Located in Mamers, NC about an hour and a half from Raleigh
• Easy
• Dog friendly
• Features some good views and the Raven Rock formation

Raleigh isn’t necessarily a destination for hiking, but there are plenty of opportunities to get outside. Luckily, the triangle has many greenways and trails to enjoy and this beautiful state offers many other hikes. Raleigh is centrally located and keeps you only a couple hours from the beach or the mountains either way! 

If you can’t get away to a major hiking destination every weekend (if only!) you just need to search a little bit harder sometimes. There are many great hikes within 2 hours of Raleigh, NC and hopefully this list inspires you to get outside and explore.