From quick and easy loops around town to short drives that take you to fantastic lakes and mountainous areas, the Twin City has so many options to hit the trail. So lace up your hiking boots, because we’ve compiled a hiking guide and trails to help you plan your next adventure and experience breathtaking views.
Note: While parks and trails may be listed as open, we recommend checking park websites before visiting for further info, current trail conditions, and safest practices for the area.
A few guidelines to keep in mind:
- All city parks are open from sunrise to sunset.
- Dogs in city parks must be leashed.
Key: Easy = 🥾 | Moderate = 🥾🥾 | Hard = 🥾🥾🥾
Bethabara Greenway
- Difficulty: 🥾
- Length: 2.7 miles
- Activities: Walking, hiking, running, dog-walking
Walk through the Historic Bethabara Park on the eight ft of paved, gravel, single-track dirt. Pro tip: You may not want to bring your bike or stroller on this trail, as it has steep stairs and rugged areas.
Salem Lake Trail
- Difficulty: 🥾🥾
- Length: 7 miles
- Activities: Hiking, biking, running, fishing, dog-walking
There’s plenty to do at this lake— from fishing, boating, or taking on this trail with a scenic view. You can make it as easy or as challenging as you’d like.
Reynolda House Gardens and Trail
- Difficulty: 🥾
- Length: 1.7 miles
- Activities: Walking, running, biking, dog-walking
Lace up your sneakers and get ready to be mesmerized by the views. Hit up any of the five trails around the village on paved pathways and explore the expansive meadow. Pro tip: Dogs must be leashed.
Stuart & Emma Thomas Memorial Trail
- Difficulty: 🥾
- Length: 3 miles
- Activities: Walking, running, dog-walking, hiking
This loop will take you to the Winston-Salem skyline from the high points along the trail. Keep an eye out for the many varieties of birds flitting around — you can spot cows and goats too.
Long Branch Trail
- Difficulty: 🥾
- Length: 1.7 miles
- Activities: Walking, running, dog-walking, hiking
The paved landscape runs from Martin Luther King Jr. Drive through Innovation Quarter in downtown Winston-Salem. Work is underway to extend part of the trail.
Stone Mountain State Park
- Difficulty: 🥾🥾🥾
- Length: 20 miles
- Activities: Hiking, rock climbing, horseback riding
Located ~60 minutes outside of downtown Winston-Salem, this hike will give you a breathtaking view of the high country landscape with beautiful waterfalls and winding creeks. Bring plenty of water to stay hydrated.
Hobby Park Trail
- Difficulty: 🥾🥾
- Length: 2.8 miles
- Activities: Hiking, biking, running, dog walking
This moderately-challenging course provides a thrill for mountain bike rides and has several bumps and rocks along the way.
Washington Park
- Difficulty: 🥾
- Length: 1 mile
- Activities: Walking, running, dog-walking
This 75-acre park features a one-mile trail with off-street trail access. Pro tip: No leash is required in the dog park that is also on-site.
Tanglewood Park Red Multi-use Trail
- Difficulty: 🥾
- Length: 2.2 miles
- Activities: Walking, biking, running, dog-walking
If you want to go off the beaten path, one of our readers Tracy S. says Little Walden Nature Trail has a lovely small pond and is located behind the administration office. Pro tip: GPS may direct you to the back of the park which is inaccessible — the main park entrance is located off US Route 158.
Black Walnut Bottoms Trail
- Difficulty: 🥾
- Length: 1.4 miles
- Activities: Walking, hiking, running, dog-walking
Enjoy a nice walk with minimal elevation change on this trail which takes about 25 minutes to complete. Pro tip: The best times to visit are April through December.
Pilot Mountain State Park
- Difficulty: 🥾🥾🥾
- Length: 1 mile - 25 miles
- Activities: Hiking, horseback riding, dog walking
This Surry County (~30 minutes outside of downtown Winston-Salem) gem has multiple trails you can choose from, all ranging from easy to the highest level of difficulty. Most of the pathways have a natural surface with roots and rocks.
Hanes Park
- Difficulty: 🥾
- Length: 1.1 mile
- Activities: Walking, running, biking, dog-walking
Located across from RJ Reynolds High School, this trail is perfect for a walk or to keep kids busy at the playground located in the park. It also features a 1/4 mile track for those who don’t mind running laps. Pro tip: Plan to park on Hawthorne and Reynolda Roads as parking spaces tend to fill up in during the school year.
Muddy Creek Greenway
- Difficulty: 🥾
- Length: 2.9 miles
- Activities: Walking, running, dog-walking
The 10-ft. paved trail runs from Country Club Road and ends at the bridge to the Summerfield Development opposite of Jefferson Elementary School.
Salem Creek Greenway
- Difficulty: 🥾
- Length: 5.2 miles
- Activities: Walking, hiking, biking, running, dog-walking
Explore the southern side of Winston-Salem. The flat paved trail connects a few neighborhoods like Old Salem, Happy Hill, and Washington Park.
Hanging Rock State Park
- Difficulty: 🥾🥾🥾
- Length: 48 miles
- Activities: Hiking, biking, horseback riding, fishing, birdwatching, rock climbing
Located in Stokes County (~40 minutes outside of downtown Winston-Salem), experience the picturesque mountain views, rock outcrops, waterfalls, and even a mountain cave.
Get the right gear
Get the most out of your trip with comfortable, handy, and helpful hiking gear:
- This extra roomy fanny pack — from Chattanooga, TN-based company Burlaep — can carry all the gadgets and accessories you need for your hike.
- For the best footwear, check out Nordstrom Rack’s sneaker edit for hiking.
- If your trail demands a proper hiking boot, we like Columbia’s collection on Amazon.
- For apparel that’s both flattering and functional, we turn to small business Aesthetic Built. We love the oversized scuba hoodies for women and the muscle scallop tees for men.
- Sweat sustainably with SEAAV. Their activewear is not only performance-driven but also planet-friendly.
- Travel light (but still have room for snacks) with lululemon’s Everywhere Belt Bag.
- Get a good bulk deal on Perfect Bars, Clif Bars, or Kind Bars at a warehouse store like Sam’s Club.
- Whether it’s the Active Essentials Kit or the Vegan Victory Set, Fuel Goods delivers the goods to keep you going.
- Don’t forget to bring a compact, portable phone charger (you’ll thank us later).
- Bringing along your 4-legged friend? Hike in style with a new collar and leash.
- We like this Teton hiking backpack.
- We like this lightweight water bottle.
- Sweat sustainably with SEAAV. Their activewear is not only performance-driven but also planet-friendly.
- Whether it’s the Active Essentials Kit or the Vegan Victory Set, Fuel Goods delivers the goods to keep you going.
Psst — to be ultra-prepared, here are the 10 items you should never enter a national park without, according to the National Park Service.
