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Best walking trails

Take a hike: A guide to trails around Winston-Salem

Plan an adventurous hike with friends and family — or solo. | Photo by WStoday

Lace up your hiking boots. We’ve compiled a curated hiking guide for the Winston-Salem area with 15 trails and routes to help you plan your next adventure.

Note: Before heading out, we recommend checking park websites for further info, current trail conditions, and safest practices for the area. Remember that dogs in city parks must be leashed.

Key: Easy = 🥾| Moderate = 🥾🥾 | Hard = 🥾🥾🥾

Hikes with history

Bethabara Greenway, 2147 Bethabara Rd.

Difficulty: 🥾
Length: 2.7 miles point-to-point
Wheelchair accessible: Portions
Pet-friendly: Yes, with leash

Walk through Historic Bethabara Park on this trail that’s paved, gravel, and single-track dirt in different portions. The trail connects to various spots like Crown Oaks Apartments and the Reynolda Commons Shopping Center.

Salem Creek Greenway, 2101 Peters Creek Pkwy.

Difficulty: 🥾
Length: 5.2 miles point-to-point
Wheelchair accessible: Yes
Pet-friendly: Yes, with leash

Explore the southern side of Winston-Salem. The flat paved trail connects historic neighborhoods like Old Salem, Happy Hill, and Washington Park.

Black Walnut Bottoms Trail, 5393 Ham Horton Ln., Bethania

Difficulty: 🥾
Length: 1.4-mile loop
Wheelchair accessible: No
Pet-friendly: Yes, with leash

Explore the restored 1790s Wolff-Moser House and 1894 Alpha Chapel before enjoying a walk on this trail that takes ~30 minutes to complete. Pro tip: The best times to visit are April through December.

WStoday: Tanglewood Park — Trail hours at Tanglewood are 7 a.m .until dusk
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Photo by Forsyth County NC

Wildlife walks

Stuart & Emma Thomas Memorial Trail, 1001 Reynolda Rd.

Difficulty: 🥾
Length: 1.5 miles out-and-back
Wheelchair accessible: No
Pet friendly: Yes, with leash

This trail 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. Move over to one of the connecting loops to extend your hike.

Little Walden Nature Trail, Nature Trail Dr., Clemmons

Difficulty: 🥾
Length: 0.9-mile loop
Wheelchair accessible: No
Pet-friendly: Yes, with leash

If you want to go off the beaten path, reader Tracy S. says that this 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.

Washington Park Walking Trail, 1490 S. Broad St.

Difficulty: 🥾
Length: 1 mile-loop
Wheelchair accessible: No
Pet-friendly: No

This 75-acre park features a one-mile trail with off-street trail access and also connects to the Salem Creek Greenway. Pro tip: Fido isn’t allowed on the trail, but you can explore the dog park that is also on-site.

WStoday: Salem Lake trail scenic view — Salem Lake walking trail scenic view.
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WStoday team

Best for a workout

Hobby Park Trail, 2301 W. Clemmonsville Rd.

Difficulty: 🥾🥾
Length: 2.8-mile loop
Wheelchair accessible: No
Pet-friendly: Yes, with leash

This moderately-challenging course is perfect for a quick outdoor hike to get your blood pumping, with several bumps and rocks along the way. This trail is also popular with mountain bikers, so stay on the lookout.

Salem Lake Trail, 815 Salem Lake Rd.

Difficulty: 🥾🥾
Length: 7-mile loop
Wheelchair accessible: Portions; The trail surface is 8-ft wide and features pavement and dirt.
Pet-friendly: Yes, with leash

There’s plenty to do at this lake, including fishing, boating, or taking on this trail with a scenic view. You’ll likely find other people out exercising on the trail — it’s popular among walkers, runners, and bikers.

Pilot Mountain State Park, 1721 Pilot Knob Park Rd., Pinnacle

Difficulty: Varies
Length: Varies
Wheelchair accessible: No
Pet-friendly: Yes, with leash

This Surry County gem (~30 minutes outside of downtown Winston-Salem) has multiple trails you can choose from, all ranging in difficulty level. For a good workout, we recommend the Grindstone Trail — a 3.5-mile strenuous hike that climbs uphill.

Hanes Park Walking Trail, 1404 W. Northwest Blvd.

Difficulty: 🥾
Length: 0.25-mile loop
Wheelchair accessible: Yes
Pet-friendly: Yes, with leash

Located across from RJ Reynolds High School, this trail is perfect for squeezing in a quick workout. Pro tip: Plan to park on Hawthorne and Reynolda Roads as parking spaces tend to fill up in during the school year.

WStoday: top of Stone Mountain, hiking guide — You may need to climb a few rocks to make it to the top of Stone Mountain — the view is totally worth it.
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Photo by WStoday

Picture-perfect views

Reynolda Village Trail, 114 Reynolda Village Way

Difficulty: 🥾🥾
Length: 3.9-mile loop
Wheelchair accessible: Portions; 3 miles of this trail are paved
Pet-friendly: Yes, with leash

While any of the five trails at Reynolda will be worth your trip thanks to the wetlands, woodlands, and meadow located on the grounds, the Reynolda Village Trail includes a waterfall sighting.

Stone Mountain Loop Trail, 3042 Frank Pkwy., Roaring Gap

Difficulty: 🥾🥾🥾
Length: 4.5-mile loop
Wheelchair accessible: No
Pet-friendly: Yes, with leash

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. Explore more Stone Mountain trails.

Hanging Rock Upper Cascades Trail, 1790 Hanging Rock Park Rd., Danbury

Difficulty: 🥾
Length: 0.4 miles out-and-back
Wheelchair accessible: No
Pet-friendly: Yes, with leash

You don’t have to work up a major sweat for beautiful views. Located in Stokes County (~40 minutes outside of downtown Winston-Salem), this trail allows you to experience the picturesque waterfalls from an observation deck or the bottom of the falls.

Urban oases

Long Branch Trail, 401 4th St. E.

Difficulty: 🥾
Length: 1.7 miles point-to-point
Wheelchair accessible: Yes
Pet-friendly: Yes, with leash

The paved landscape runs from Martin Luther King Jr. Drive through the Innovation Quarter in downtown Winston-Salem. Check out the trail’s various access points to plan your trip.

Muddy Creek Greenway, 285 Meadowlark Dr.

Difficulty: 🥾
Length: 2.9 miles point-to-point
Wheelchair accessible: Yes
Pet-friendly: Yes, with leash

This 10-ft wide paved trail runs from Country Club Road and ends at the bridge to the Summerfield Development opposite of Jefferson Elementary School.

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.

Announced

Congratulations two winners of our WStoday Giveaways!

Firstly, to Andrew M. for winning the $250 Fleet Feet Gift Card Giveaway and a free entry to a 2024 Craft Half race courtesy of Junnction311! Secondly, Beverly S. is the winner of $100 of Foothills Brewing Giveaway!

Thank you to our promotional partners Foothills Brewing and Junction311.

Events

Tuesday, Sept. 26

Comenius Music Academy: An Introduction to Music Theory | Tuesday, Sept. 26-Tuesday, Nov. 7 | Times vary | Moravian Music Foundation (Archie K. Davis Center), 457 S. Church St., Winston-Salem | Free | Learn the basics of music theory including notation, scales, key signatures, intervals, chords, and rhythmic patterns.

Wednesday, Sept. 27

Lunch & Learn Series | Wednesday, Sept. 27 | 12-1:30 p.m. | The Enterprise Conference and Event Center, 1922 S. Martin Luther King Jr Dr., Winston-Salem | Free | Attendees will learn how to run their businesses more efficiently, scale and adapt to market demands, and more.
Pups Paints & Pints w/StudioSRV | Wednesday, Sept. 27 | 6-8 p.m. | The Playground Golf and Sports Bar, 6355 Jessie Ln., Clemmons | $48 | Paint a drawing of your pet with the guidance of an artist. No drawing skills necessary— but registration is required.
Face to Face Speaker Forum: Doris Kearns Goodwin and Michael Beschloss | Wednesday, Sept. 27 | 7:30 p.m. | Wait Chapel, 1834 Wake Forest Rd., Winston-Salem | $57-$115 | You’re invited to a lively and informative conversation between two world-renowned presidential historians and noted authors.*

Thursday, Sept. 28

Old Town Frightening Films | Thursday, Sept. 28 | 7-9 p.m. | Old Town Neighborhood Center, 4550 Shattalon Dr., Winston-Salem | Free | Take part in the last event of the film series by watching “Rogue.” Movie is rated R.

100+ more local events

Click here to have your event featured.

News Notes

Development

The developer of the former Winston-Salem Coca-Cola bottling plant is seeking local historic landmark for its property tracts. The public hearing will take place in the Stuart Municipal Building on North Main Street at 4 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 4. (Winston-Salem Journal)

Number

$5 million. That’s how much Wake Forest University received to advance its environment and sustainability efforts. The Sabin Center will focus on addressing issues like climate change, water scarcity, biodiversity loss, and more.

Environment

There are 4 more days to volunteer with the North Carolina Department of Transportation as part of the 2023 Fall Litter Sweep. Volunteers can pick up supplies to clean up roads and remove litter at the County Maintenance Yard at 300 Craft Dr. by North Cherry Street.

Edu

Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools will host a webinar on alternative pathways to teaching. Attendees will learn tips on the application process and how to earn an NC teaching license. Register to join the meeting virtually Thursday, Oct. 19 at 3:30 p.m.

Active

Wanna learn a new skill? The fall Introduction to Fencing class starts tomorrow, Wednesday, Sept. 27 at Georgia E. Taylor Neighborhood Center on West Clemmonsville Road. Classes cost $35 per session or $120 per month. Ages 7 through adults are welcome.

Feel Good

To kick off NC Craft Beer Month, Foothills Brewing is hosting its first pickleball tournament for charity on Sunday, Oct. 1. It will take place from 12 to 8 p.m. at its tasting room at 3800 Kimwell Dr. Purchase a $10 ticket for a chance to win a spot to play in the tournament.

Finance

Peek the perks. A $200 welcome bonus, unlimited cash back, and 0% interest into 2024 all with no annual fee almost sounds too good to be true — but this card has it all.*

Outdoors

Winston-Salem on the map

City of Winston-Salem to host approximately 700 cyclists

Cyclists at the starting line, embarking on a journey across the state. | Aaron Hines via Cycle NC

The city of Winston-Salem will host approximately 700 cyclists as part of the Mountains to Coast ride on Monday, Oct. 2.

Riders with Cycle NC, a department of North Carolina Amateur Sports, will ride overnight at Long Creek Park Trail and University-area hotels.

The seven-day scenic ride across our state is designed to encourage physical fitness while enjoying the scenic beauty of our state

Let’s take a look at the schedule:

12 p.m.: Cyclists will begin arriving to the “Summit,” Long Creek Park Trail on Bethania Tobaccoville Road in Plafftown where some cyclists will be camping on grounds.
4-9 p.m.: Shuttles will run continuously between Long Creek Park Trail, Best Western Plus University, Carolina Classic Fairgrounds, Courtyard University, Foothill’s BrewPub, and Wiseman Brewing.

Visitors will enjoy food, drinks, Monday Night football-watching, and get to explore our city. No road closures are expected.

Winston-Salem is one of eight towns in North Carolina chosen to host riders overnight as they move across the state.

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The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Kellina

From the editor

I attended my first Winston-Salem Symphony concert on Saturday and it was a truly moving experience. To see the symphony’s first female music director, Michelle Merrill, conduct the band is a memory I’ll always cherish. It reminded me that dreams do come true.

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