Explore the best rated trails in Southern Pines, NC. Whether you're looking for an easy walking trail or a bike trail like the Cape Fear River Trail and Longleaf Trail. With more than 21 trails covering 66 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.
The hills and curves gave this paved and wooden bridge trail a comfortable moderate challenge. Trail is mostly shady with a couple covered bridges given you a nice break from the sun. There were plenty of benches and restrooms. No stores, so don’t forget to bring plenty of water.
This was our first time doing a trail with our E-bikes! It was a pretty fun trail! We did it twice in one day! Made us sore tho! The first part is down hill which is fun but has to go back up it! Wasn’t to bad!
Nice distance and great surface. Located in the middle of everything. You can ride and enjoy the city all in one day.
If you put go out and back you can get a good workout with the hills on the north end.
Flat and easy ride with only a couple road crossings. A go to trail when I just want to petal.
Mostly paved and few road crossing until you get into Durham. Tough to follow after that
It has become part of our life, we spend few hours every week in it.
Spent this morning (Monday) on the trail - and with the exception of one other biker - we had it all to ourselves! A fun ride, although you will encounter downtown streets for a bit in Erwin. Also, don’t freak if the Fire Department siren goes off… it’s LOUD but necessary! Thumbs up all around!
We embarked upon the asphalt/concrete path that led out of downtown (right at the Durham Bulls Athletic Park, where we later watched 4th of July fireworks) and soon, we were winding through long, shaded stretches of woods that led south for the next 22.6 miles. With a name like The American Tobacco Trail, we had anticipated cycling past old fashioned general stores with carved Indian statues and former tobacco farms and barns. But no. We call this and rail-to-trails similar to it “Zen” trails because, with little visual variety, they can be described as either tranquil and serene, or boring. These trails range from flat to slightly rolling but they never have more than a 3-4 degree incline because that was the steepest railroad engines could handle at the time the tracks were laid.
It seemed for the first 6-8 miles of the ride, we passed through traffic intersections about every quarter mile, which meant waiting at lights every five minutes or so. Only one or two of the intersections appeared to have shops nearby for buying water or energy bars, so it’s best to plan ahead. Four miles prior to the end, the pavement stopped and the path became a mixture of grass, gravel and clay. On the map, we seemed to be nearing Jordan Lake, and there were swampy areas on either side of the trail, but that was the extent of the water view. With the exception of the many intersections, it was basically tree-lined the entire length – which did make the temperature perfect on an otherwise steamy summer day.
We rewarded ourselves with a short drive to an excellent brewery in downtown Durham.
We stated at the Southern Terminus and road up to O'Kelly Chapel Road Trailhead and returned to New Hill Trailhead. Parking right off the road has only spots for 5 vehicles but proceed ahead and there is plenty more at the actual Trailhead start point. The crushed limestone surface was in great condition and truly liked that there was a crushed limestone option once the asphalt became available.
Reservoir park was a wonderful walk to start our new adventures after two years stuck near home because of Covid. Not crowded, runners, walkers, dogs and toddlers on bikes. A beautiful mix of life.
TrailLink is a free service provided by Rails-to-Trails Conservancy (a non-profit) and we need your support!
Scan the QR code to get TrailLink on your phone
