Explore the best rated trails in Chapel Hill, NC, whether you're looking for an easy walking trail or a bike trail like the Northeast Community Greenway and Bicentennial Greenway . With more than 81 trails covering 281 miles you're bound to find a perfect trail for you. Click on any trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.
Great ride today on a 95° day. Fortunately, a good portion of this trail is shaded. There were 47 bridges between APP and the end, very nice. The trail rises and falls a bit more than most trails, so you need more than a beach cruiser, but the grades are neither long nor steep for more cyclists. Watch the blind corners as some people tend to cut the corners a bit. Great trail overall!
The Eagle Spur is more of an abandoned rail corridor (1905-06) and less of a developed trail. Its scenic beauty is everywhere, with a canopy of trees and a payoff of seeing Jordan Lake up close. The surface is a forest floor, with fallen leaves, fallen trees, and unannounced places where the old railbed has given way. So it's wonderful for a walk in the woods, cautionary for runners' ankles, and injury-risking for inattentive mountain bikers. If you attempt this path during hunting season, blaze orange is advised.
Seemed like the trailhead coordinates weren’t accurate. They brought me to someplace close to the trail but with no parking area. All the parking areas are on route 22 (around 35.7412891, -79.6828295). Not exactly a quiet walk. Seemed to be some kind of man made buzz most of the walk. Never could figure out where it was coming from. But the views of the river were great and I saw one of the biggest great blue herons I’ve ever seen.
What was not expected was the trail was closed on two ends, so I can’t put in a totally fair review, but I was not impressed. The trail breaks up a lot, connects via the road, runs through a lot of suburban areas that are somewhat scenic. There are some cool bridges, but can’t really say I saw much more to write about. I am giving this 3 stars based on the fact I could not see the entire trail.
The bridge crossing Lake Brandt 1/4 mile south of Strawberry Rd is blocked off. The detour is Battleground Rd to Bur-Mil park.
Surprised that only pedestrians have access to trail at this time.
We began our ride at the northern terminus and rode only about a mile and a quarter before we came to a bridge that was closed and had to turn around. We got back in the car and went to a trailhead further south that was only to be found in the heart of an apartment complex. We rode in circles not able to find the trail leading to where the opposite side of the bridge closure might be. So we got back in the car once more and found the southern terminus of the trail and tried again. It was a better start with a stop at the Guildford Courthouse National Military Site (part of the National Park Service) where we could ride along the battleground car/bike tour road. Generally, the trail is not well signed and at points it is a shared sidewalk along busy roads. Coming from the cold of the north, we were looking to begin our bike season in a warmer March climate. The trail sections of this ride would be beautiful come April - September. This was a very hard-won 16.5 mile ride.
This was our first trip to this rail trail and was a very peaceful walk with our two small dogs. We duct venture to far since this was our first outing with them. Next time we'll go further. But from what we saw it was very clean. ¿
Went 11 miles biking today and it was very busy surprisingly busy for 30 degree Monday in mid January but still a good day
We just did this trail with teens- 70’s age range along with our dog. Everyone enjoyed it along with the Faith Rock loop ( Faith Rock trail is still easy but more like a traditional trail). We hope to return to the area in the future and explore more.
My husband & I recently moved to NC. This trail is only 5.7 miles from our new home. It was our first trail we went on in NC. 11/25/2023. Once there, you can go left or right. We went to the right side today riding our bikes. Will ride the left side next weekend. We would say it's easy to moderate. Just a couple of hills, a lot of bridges, several benches along the way, open fields, pull outs to take photos, very shaded etc. It wasn't too crowded, everyone we encountered was friendly. We even seen a huge buck! & a couple other deers. Also seen a lot of squirrels & birds. If you enjoy nature on a very nice paved path this is a wonderful place we will return too. I’m sure if we were walking we would have seen a lot more wildlife. It took us 30 minutes to get to the HWY where we turned around just casually riding our bikes. If you’re pushing it I would say it could be completed in 20 min or so riding fast. We will try that later. Put this trail on your list to visit. You won’t be disappointed! Love! Love! Love!
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