In the Piedmont, Winston-Salem is the gateway to mountain hiking — not all of which is, to be geographically precise, in the mountains. There’s the Sauratown twins of Hanging Rock State Park and Pilot Mountain State Park (both officially in the Piedmont), which boast miles of trails with stout climbs and panoramic payoffs. Ditto Stone Mountain State Park, which pushes up against the Blue Ridge Escarpment. Doughton Park along the Blue Ridge Parkway offers true mountain hiking an hour and a half away, while Salem Lake Trail in the heart of town provides close-to-home training for your high country escapes.

Doughton Park

Hanging Rock State Park: Moores Wall Loop

Pilot Mountain State Park: Ledge Spring/Jomokee Loop Trail

Salem Lake Trail

Stone Mountain State Park: Stone Mountain Loop Trail