Need some mountain training? The 7.2-mile loop created by stringing together the Mountain, Grindstone and Grassy Ridge trails offers up-and-down around the base and midsection of Pilot Mountain, a 2,420-foot knob that rises 1,400 feet above the surrounding countryside. It’s got the rocky, rooty, rolling challenges you expect in mountain runs.
But if you’re more in need of a long run check out the 6.6-mile Corridor Horse Trail, which goes from the base of Pilot south toward the Yadkin River. Rated “moderate to strenuous” by the park, the trail is downward trending — unless you decide to make a half-marathon out-and-back of your run.
Advantage No. 1 for Winston-Salem runners: The trails are close, about a 25-minute drive from downtown.
Advantage No. 2: Although Pilot Mountain is one of North Carolina’s most popular state parks, most of the visitation is up top, where park visitors can drive and casually noodle around, taking in the views. The hard-work trails, the one’s you’re interested in, are of scant interest to the point-and-shoot and picnic set.
More info: Pilot Mountain State Park
Maps: Downloadable here, also available at the park.
Getting there from downtown Winston-Salem
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Difficulty: moderate
Distance: 25 minutes from downtown Winston-Salem
Length: Mountain/Grindstone/Grassy Ridge loop, 7.2-mile loop; Corridor Trail, 6.6 miles (one way)
Time to complete: 1.5-3 hours
Address: 1792 Pilot Knob Park Road
City: Pinnacle
State: N.C.
Zip: 27043
Latitude: 36.3420
Longitude: 80.4633