Turkey, football — face it, what you need to make Thanksgiving Day truly complete is brisk hike. And frankly, the conditions couldn’t be better this Thanksgiving Day for an hour or two on the trail: temperatures throughout our retail area are expected to hit about 60 under sunny skies, and at our local hiking venues fall color appears to have frozen in time. Three weeks ago, we thought autumn had peaked. Then two weeks ago. Now, looking out the window today there’s little evidence of fading color.Here are 10 hikes perfect for Thanksgiving Day. They aren’t too long (about 5 miles, on average), they aren’t too challenging (nothing you’d associate with training for a trek in the Himalayas), and they’re high on scenic value, in a fall-into-winter, Piedmont-hardwood-forest kind of way. Because we realize you don’t want to spend the day driving to a trailhead (you might miss your second — or third — feeding), we’ve kept our suggestions close to our metro areas.
We provide the trail name, location and a quick description, then a link to our online adventure guide, where you can find the information you need to make your hike happen. So hold off on that second helping and take a hike —the leftovers will be there when you get back.
Charlotte
Latta Plantation
Huntersville
Of the 30 miles of trail spread across Mecklenburg County’s 23 nature preserves, it’s tough to find a favorite. But if we must, it would be a 4-mile loop at Latta Plantation that explores a hardwood forest and a restored Piedmont prairie, offering a diverse and relaxed escape back to a time when bison roamed the region.
More info here.
Crowders Mountain State Park
Kings Mountain
Really overdid it at dinner, did you? Then head to Crowders Mountain and, from the Visitor Center, hike to the park’s namesake peak via the Crowders Mountain, Rocktop and Backside trails. This 5-mile loop takes you up to Crowders’ rocky spine and great views 800 feet above the surrounding countryside. Expect to make amends on the Backside Trail in particular, which includes a 336-step stairway.
More info here.
Triad
Watershed Lakes
Greensboro
The 42 miles of trail along Greensboro’s watershed lakes are an obvious T-Day pick, what with being in the backyard of so many Triad residents. But which one? How about one that gives you impressive mileage with nary a rise in elevation. The 2.75-mile (5.5 out-and-back) trail snuggles up to Lake Brandt on the south while embraced by a hardwood bottomland forest. Starts and ends in woods and meadow carpeted in kudzu.
More info here.
Hanging Rock State Park
Danbury
Here’s a good locale for mixed company: mixed meaning those who love the idea of a hike and those more in love with the idea of pioneering a new turkey sandwich recipe. The Yays can take the challenging 4.2-mile Moores Wall Loop, with 360-degree views from atop Moores Knob; the Mehs can take the 1.3-mile Hanging Rock Trail to another perch with great views. (Tell ‘em they can pack their latest turkey/giblet/cranberry/peanut-butter sandwich concoction to gnosh atop the summit.)
More info here.
Salem Lake
Winston-Salem
Most trails don’t accommodate side-by-side walking, which leads to good conversation. Salem Lake’s extra wide trail allows for family-abreast walking (though be cognizant of other trail users — including runners and cyclists — passing). And that’s a good thing because at 7 miles, this trail may be a scosh longer than your guests were expecting. But with the distraction of your witty repartee, those miles will pass in a flash.
More info here.
Triangle
Occoneechee Mountain State Natural Area
Hillsborough
Located barely off I-85, Occoneechee Mountain is quickly accessible from anywhere in the Triangle, and the 3.5-mile Occoneechee Mountain Loop Trail offers about as much ecological diversity as any around. Most notable: passage along the Eno River, where a 20-foot north-facing cliff houses a collection of flora — including rhododendron, mountain laurel, sweet pinesap and galax — more fitting of the higher Appalachians.
More info here.
Hemlock Bluffs Nature Preserve
Cary
Where? you likely inquire. Which is one of the reasons you should pay a visit. Hemlock Bluffs houses a rare stand of Piedmont hemlock, survivors from the last ice age that cling to the park’s protected north-facing bluffs. There’s also a boardwalked bottomland forest to explore, part of the 3-mile trail network that’s exceptionally foot-friendly (though there are challenging climbs in spots).
More info here.
Johnston Mill Nature Preserve
Orange County
A mature forest of towering beech, a meadow, a walk along sprightly New Hope Creek … . This may be the most relaxing 296 acres in the Triangle. The well-maintained and marked 3.5 miles of trail are ideal for meandering about without having to pay too much attention to where you’re headed. And should you need a rest, an artsy wrought-iron bench overlooks the beech bluff.
More info here.
Coast
Goose Creek State Park
Washington
Goose Creek’s trail network encompasses about 7 miles of trail, all of which are, as the coastal setting would suggest, flat. We recommend the 1.9-mile Goose Creek Trail, but frankly, that’s just a jumping off spot. It’s easy to get distracted by shiny things at Goose Creek, heading down this trail for a peek at the spreading Pamlico River, that trail to check out the tar kiln. Fortunately, the trails are well-marked; with park map in hand you’ll find your way out of the swamp …eventually.
More info here.
Fort Fisher State Recreation Area
Kure Beach
Not sure why the mile-long Hermit Trail strikes us as a natural for Thanksgiving, other than the fact we’re mighty thankful we know about this hike. The hike starts on the beach then enters an open expanse of sand, sea oats and cordgrass on the tip of the Cape Fear peninsula that offers wide-open views you only expect to see from the state’s highest peaks. And be sure to pay a visit to the World War II bunker mid-hike that once housed the Fort Fisher Hermit.
More info here.