img_5045
Mountains-to-Sea Trail along Falls Lake

Fall, with its cool air, crisp blue skies, and blossoming color, insists that we hike. And by “we,” we mean “everyone,” from the ardent hiker such as yourself to the dad who wakes up on a Saturday morning, looks out the window and decides its time for the family’s annual autumnal outing. It’s enough to discourage the solace seeker from venturing out on those especially glorious fall days. But that needn’t be the case, if you know the trails less traveled.

Today, we give you five such trails scattered throughout the Piedmont. Visit and you’ll be so wowed by the scenic spectacle and the solitude that you’ll want to tell all your friends. But don’t. Let’s keep these to ourselves.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA
OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

1. Uwharrie Trail: Sections 3 & 4
Uwharrie National Forest, Asheboro
6.3 miles
Moderate

New trail is often a good bet for solitude. New trail in a remote area is an especially good bet. That’s part of the reason behind our recommendation for this new (within the last 2 years) stretch of the 40-mile Uwharrie Trail splitting the Uwharrie National Forest. The main recommendation, though: the trail tops the highest point a trail reaches in the Uwharries, 1,020-foot King Mountain, and scores the lone vista in the Uwharries, Little Long Mountain. Lots of great scenery in between, as well.

More info can be found here and in the second edition of Don Childrey’s “Uwharrie Lakes Region Trail Guide” (2014, Earthbound Sports).

2. Mountains-to-Sea Trail: Day-Hike Section S
Falls Lake, Durham County
5.0 miles
Moderate

Part of the deterrent for this hike must be the required shuttle, involving two somewhat challenging access points off Red Mill Road. That’s the only reason we can find for folks not flocking to this flat hike that takes in a range of terrain, from assorted meadows, to farm fringe, to the wetlands of Falls Lake to mature Piedmont forest. Segments of the trail can be soggy after a rain (less of a problem in the normally dry fall), but the open spaces make this prime viewing for emerging fall color.

More info here

Mountain Trail, Pilot Mountain
Mountain Trail, Pilot Mountain

3. Mountain Trail
Pilot Mountain State Park, Pinnacle
4.5 miles
Strenuous

Check the Pilot Mountain web page on a fall weekend and the first thing you’ll see is a big orange note warning of parking delays, that it can take up to a half hour to find a spot on a fall weekend. People from the Triad and beyond love Pilot Mountain for its vantage point 1,400 feet above the valley below: to the Saura Indians it allowed them an outpost to watch for intruders; for leaf watchers, it’s a spot to monitor the first advances of fall color. Get the same effect by driving to the typically deserted Surry Line Road access and picking up the Mountain Trail, which circumnavigates Pilot. Good views of the Blue Ridge from the west side of the mountain.

More info here

Ridgeline Trail, Crowders Mountain
Ridgeline Trail, Crowders Mountain

4. Ridgeline Trail
Crowders Mountain State Park, Kings Mountain
12 miles (shorter options available)
Moderate to strenuous (depending upon length)

Crowders Mountain, like Pilot Mountain (see No. 3) is SRO on a gorgeous fall weekend. The Linwood Road Access (near Crowders Mountain) and Sparrow Springs Access (near The Pinnacle) are both jammed on fall weekends as people clamour up both summits for a peek of color. Head to the Boulders Access at the southern end of the park, however, pick up the 12-mile Ridgeline Trail, and you’ll have a colorful experience of the up-close-and-personal kind. Rolling terrain, mature Piedmont forest.

More info here

5. Great Blue Heron Trail
Haw River State Park: Iron Ore Belt Access, Greensboro
3.8 miles
Easy

Although it’s on the north edge of Greensboro, the trail’s newness (it opened in January) makes it an undiscovered gem. A portion of the loop passes around a sizeable wetland; there are grassy meadows, mature woods (including some surprisingly big red cedars), and enough hardwood forest to make for a spectacular — and quiet — fall debut for the Iron Ore Belt Access. Act now, as the cheesy TV ads proclaim — this offer won’t last long.

More info here

Great Blue Heron Trail, Haw River State Park
Great Blue Heron Trail, Haw River State Park