From quick and easy loops around town to short drives that take you to fantastic lakes and rocky terrains, the Triangle has so many options to hit the trails. So lace up your hiking boots, because we’ve compiled a hiking guide for the Raleigh area with 22 routes and trails to help you plan your next adventure and experience breathtaking views.

Note: While parks and trails may be listed as open, we recommend checking park websites before visiting for further info, current trail conditions, and safest practices for the area.

Key: Easy = 🥾 | Moderate = 🥾🥾 | Hard = 🥾🥾🥾

Wake County

Laurel and Falls Lake Loop, Blue Jay Point County Park, 3200 Pleasant Union Church Rd., Raleigh

Difficulty: 🥾
Length: 1.5 miles
Pet-friendly: Yes, but must be kept on a leash
Wheelchair accessible: No

Hike this well-marked loop if you're looking for serene lake + creek views. It's perfect for families and offers off-trail excursions and a nearby playground.

The NCMA Park during fall. | Photo by Martha K.

North Carolina Museum of Art Park, NC Museum of Art, 2110 Blue Ridge Rd., Raleigh

Difficulty: 🥾
Length: 1.7 miles
Pet-friendly: Yes, but must be kept on a leash
Wheelchair accessible: Partially; not all paths are paved

This pleasant stroll is on a mostly paved walkway. There are great views of the Museum Park's art, like the hidden Cloud Chamber for the Trees and Sky, beautiful flora, and plenty of places to lay out a blanket for an after-hike picnic. Bonus: The NCMA regularly hosts guided Museum Park tours.

Try this: Reedy Creek Trail at Umstead State Park. | Photo by RALtoday

Sal’s Branch Trail, William B. Umstead State Park, 8801 Glenwood Ave., Raleigh

Difficulty: 🥾
Length: 2.5 miles
Pet-friendly: Yes, but must be kept on a leash
Wheelchair accessible: No
Bonus: Preview the hike

Hike this loop if you're looking for a pleasant stroll filled with pines and hardwoods. This is a popular area for running, hiking, and fishing.

Our readers clicked on RALtoday's hiking guide... *a lot*. | Photo by RALtoday

Lake Lynn Trail, Lake Lynn Park, 7921 Ray Rd., Raleigh

Difficulty: 🥾
Length: 2.6 miles
Pet-friendly: Yes, but must be kept on a leash
Wheelchair accessible: Partially

This trail is mostly paved with some boardwalks and has little elevation change. Look out for aquatic life like ducks, geese, herons, and turtles.

Pause your hike to take in views of Jordan Lake. | Photo by RALtoday

New Hope Overlook Blue Route, Jordan Lake State Recreation Area, 448 W. H. Jones Rd., New Hill

Difficulty: 🥾
Length: 2.8 miles
Pet-friendly: Yes, but must be kept on a leash
Wheelchair accessible: No

This loop features different views of Jordan Lake, including a short detour to the edge of the lake (it's marked). Keep in mind that there are several steep hills.

Hike the East Loop at sunset to try and catch these cotton candy skies. | Photo by Danny Clarke

Harris Lake Peninsula Trail, Harris Lake County Park, 2112 County Park Dr., New Hillnew

Difficulty: 🥾
Length: 4.7 miles
Pet-friendly: Yes, but must be kept on a leash
Wheelchair accessible: No

Explore the Shearon Harris Reservoir, the cooling water source for Shearon Harris Nuclear Power Plant. With just 157 feet of elevation, this is an easy but lengthy trek.

Lake Johnson East Loop, Lake Johnson Park, 4601 Avent Ferry Rd., Raleigh

Difficulty: 🥾
Length: 2.8 miles
Pet-friendly: Yes, but must be kept on a leash
Wheelchair accessible: Yes

This paved trail winds through the woods, along the lake, and across a dam, and it connects to the Walnut Creek Greenway Trail. After your hike, visit the covered pavilion to take in a scenic lake overlook in a rocking chair.

Honeycutt Creek Greenway, Honeycutt Park, 1032 Clear Creek Farm Dr., Raleigh

Difficulty: 🥾🥾
Length: 5.2 miles
Pet-friendly: Yes, but must be kept on a leash
Wheelchair accessible: No

This trail starts as a suburban path but transitions into a peaceful, heavily wooded trail. Hike out to Falls Lake and back. Pro tip: Seasonal bow hunting occurs here — reflective orange vests are available in steel boxes at the Durant Road and Raven Ridge Road trailheads for anyone hiking the trail.

Check out these 11 hiking trails catered to all skill levels. | Photo by @sarah.flows

Sycamore Trail, William B. Umstead State Park, 8801 Glenwood Ave., Raleighnew

Difficulty: 🥾🥾
Length: 7.3 miles
Pet-friendly: Yes, but must be kept on a leash
Wheelchair accessible: No

This trail features the iconic Chainsaw Log made into an impressive piece of natural art from a fallen red oak. This is one of the Triangle's most popular trails, so expect a crowd on nice days. Plus, a fall visit to this trail ensures stunning natural colors.

Company Mill Loop, William B. Umstead State Park, 2100 N. Harrison Ave., Cary

Difficulty: 🥾🥾
Length: 6 miles
Pet-friendly: Yes, but must be kept on a leash
Wheelchair accessible: No

Hike this trail if you want a mix of nature and history. In the beginning of the hike, you will come across Crabtree Creek where the Company Mill existed in the 1800s. There you can spot the remains of an old dam before crossing a bridge into the trail’s looped section.

Pups are welcome at Umstead State Park. | Photo by @hanwellyn

Loblolly Trail, William B. Umstead State Park, 2100 N. Harrison Ave., Cary

Difficulty: 🥾🥾
Length: 6.4 miles
Pet-friendly: Yes, but must be kept on a leash
Wheelchair accessible: No

This out-and-back trail is popular for runners. Wear sturdy shoes; the trail has many roots and rocks + can be muddy after rainy weather.

Ravenridge Mountains-to-Sea-Trail, 11900-11924 Raven Ridge Rd., Raleigh

Difficulty: 🥾🥾
Length: 6.8 miles
Pet-friendly: Yes, but must be kept on a leash
Wheelchair accessible: No

Hike this out-and-back route for a taste of the Mountains-to-Sea Trail — a 1,175-mile footpath stretching across NC. There are great views of Falls Lake for most of the hike.

The Triangle Land Conservancy has eight public nature preserves. | Photo by @ihave88keys_

Williamson Preserve to Neuse River Walk, 4409 Mial Plantation Rd., Raleigh

Difficulty: 🥾
Length: 8.3 miles
Pet-friendly: Yes, but must be kept on a leash
Wheelchair accessible: No

Explore the Bailey and Sarah Williamson Preserve, open every day from dawn until dusk. Be on the lookout for wildflowers and a turtle or two.

Walk or run the Mountains to Sea Trail. | Photo by @wes_claytor

Falls Lake Trail, Falls Lake State Recreation Area, 13300 Creedmoor Rd., Wake Forest

Difficulty: 🥾🥾🥾
Length: 24.4 miles
Pet-friendly: Yes, but must be kept on a leash
Wheelchair accessible: No

Hike this long stretch of the Mountains-to-Sea Trail along Falls Lake if you’re up for a challenging trek with a total elevation gain of 1,751 feet. Be prepared for the moderately rocky and root-filled terrain. While the hike is considered to be difficult, the trail is smooth and clear, keeping it conquerable.

Durham County

Couch Mountain Trail, Duke Forest, NC-751, Durham

Difficulty: 🥾🥾
Length: 1.8 miles
Pet-friendly: Yes, but must be kept on a leash
Wheelchair accessible: No

Hike this trail if you are looking to explore broad paths filled with vibrant wildflowers in Duke Forest.

Cole Mill Trail Loop to Bobbitt Hole Trail, Eno River State Park, 4113 Cole Mill Rd., Durham

Difficulty: 🥾
Length: 2.4 miles
Pet-friendly: Yes, but must be kept on a leash
Wheelchair accessible: No

This trail features the Bobbitt's Hole — a notable geological feature with a mysterious history. Cole Mill once operated on the far side of the river from 1814-1908. You can also spot the remains of the Alpha Woolen Mills and the foundation of an off-campus Duke fraternity house.

This suspension bridge is over the Eno River. | Photo by @sladesnaps

Cox Mountain Trail, Eno River State Park, 6101 Cole Mill Rd., Durham

Difficulty: 🥾🥾
Length: 4.1 miles
Pet-friendly: Yes, but must be kept on a leash
Wheelchair accessible: No

Hike this trail if you're looking for phenomenal river views. The trial leads you through abundant greenery to a suspension bridge over the Eno River.

American Tobacco Trail from Durham, 409 Blackwell St., Durham

Difficulty: 🥾
Length: 21.9 miles
Pet-friendly: Dogs and horses allowed on portions of this trail
Wheelchair accessible: Partially; some areas are paved

Find the beginning of this trail near Durham Bulls Athletic Park at Morehead Avenue and Blackwell Street. This expansive trail is mixed-terrain, composed of gravel and paved paths. You'll travel the Triangle through Durham, Chatham, and Wake counties. Look for various environmental gems including a lake and wildflower fields.

Orange County

Historic Occoneechee Speedway Trail, 320 Elizabeth Brady Rd., Hillsborough

Difficulty: 🥾
Length: 1.3 miles
Pet-friendly: Yes, but must be kept on a leash
Wheelchair accessible: No

Serving as the location of former NASCAR races from 1949 to 1968, the remains of this speedway are truly a blast from the past. On the trail, you are bound to stumble upon abandoned retro race cars, cement stairs used for stadium-style seating, vintage signs, and mid-century items scattered in the area.

Look out for signs to the overlook. | Photo by RALtoday

Occoneechee Mountain Loop Trail, 625 Virginia Cates Rd., Hillsborough

Difficulty: 🥾🥾
Length: 2.3 miles
Pet-friendly: Yes, but must be kept on a leash
Wheelchair accessible: No
Bonus: Preview the hike

Hike this trail for scenic mountain views — the natural area is the highest point in Orange County, reaching 867 feet. The mountain is home to diverse habitats that support mountain-specific plant and animal life such as the purple fringeless orchid and the brown elfin butterfly. Pro tip: Combine this hike with the Chestnut Oak Loop to see different views of the mountain.

Wormhole and Pumpkin Loop Trails, 9115 Seawell School Rd., Chapel Hill

Difficulty: 🥾🥾
Length: 4.7 miles
Pet-friendly: Yes, but must be kept on a leash
Wheelchair accessible: No

This is a no-nonsense route that is wide with dirt and gravel terrain, offering interesting single track pathways that connect from the main access. The first half mile of the trail elevates gradually, so expect some minimal climbing.

Harnett County

Campbell Creek Loop Trail at Raven Rock State Park. | Photo by RALtoday

Campbell Creek Loop Trail to Lanier Falls, Raven Rock State Park, 3009 Raven Rock Rd., Lillington

Difficulty: 🥾
Length: 4.6 miles
Pet-friendly: Yes, but must be kept on a leash
Wheelchair accessible: No
Bonus: Preview the hike

About an hour from downtown Raleigh, this trail is situated along the banks of the Cape Fear River. Keep your eyes peeled for the detour to the waterfalls — City Editor Cat's dog Tucker's favorite part of the trail.

Get the right gear

Get the most out of your trip with comfortable, handy, and helpful hiking gear:

For the best footwear, check out Nordstrom Rack’s sneaker edit for hiking.
If your trail demands a proper hiking boot, we like Columbia’s collection on Amazon.
Travel light (but still have room for snacks) with lululemon’s Everywhere Belt Bag.
Get a good bulk deal on Perfect Bars, Clif Bars, or Kind Bars at a warehouse store like Sam’s Club.
Don’t forget to bring a compact, portable phone charger (you’ll thank us later).
We like this Teton hiking backpack and this lightweight water bottle.

Psst — to be ultra-prepared, here are the 10 items you should never enter a national park without, according to the National Park Service.

Trail map

Explore the map below to see which hikes are close to you. Even if the one you're eyeing is a hike, we promise the trail is worth the drive.