We had a fantastic time exploring the trails at the Piedmont Environmental Center and were truly impressed by several of them. These well-maintained paths wind through hardwood and pine forests, as well as along the shores of High Point Lake, offering numerous opportunities to observe local wildlife. If the office is open during your visit, we recommend stopping in to chat with the staff; they have a wealth of knowledge about the preserve and what to expect. They also provide printed maps of the area that you can take with you before heading out on your hike. We’ve used the same trail numbering system that the Center uses on their maps for the following guide, but we begin with a quick list of our favorite trails.
Our Top-Three Favorite Trails:
Table of Contents
South Preserve
1. Bill Faver Lakeshore Trail
🌲🏞️ The Bill Faver Lakeshore Trail is a 1.8 mile loop!
🐦🦌 Wildlife spotting: deer, beavers, and birds!
🔗🌳 This trail is the main trail in the South Preserve, which means it must be used to connect to most of the other trails in the South Preserve, including one of our favorites, the Raccoon Run Trail.
🌊 Gorgeous views of High Point Lake throughout the trail!
⚠️ Watch for roots and mud after rain. 🐕❤️ Dogs allowed on leashes!
2. Fiddlehead Trail
🌲👣 The Fiddlehead Trail is a short (0.2 miles) scenic out-and-back trail that connects to two points of the Bill Faver Lakeshore Trail.
🌳✨ Nestled in the Piedmont Environmental Center’s South Preserve, it’s marked with yellow indicators.
🌿🌼 Perfect for beginners, it offers a peaceful hike through a beautiful hardwood and pine forest.
💧🏞️ A small stream flows nearby, enhancing the natural beauty, especially after rain.
🚶♀️➡️ To access it, a brief hike on the Bill Faver Lakeshore Trail is needed.
3. Pine Thicket Trail
🌳👣 The Pine Thicket Trail is a short out-and-back trail (0.2 miles) that offers an easy hike for everyone.
🌲 It winds through a beautiful pine forest in the South Preserve.
🦉 Hikers can enjoy the peaceful surroundings and may even spot local wildlife, like a barred owl.
🔗 The trail connects to others, like the Fiddlehead, Dogwood, and Bill Faver Lakeshore Trails. In fact, the Pine Thicket Trail can only be reached by hiking one of those other trails.
4. Dogwood Trail
🌲🛤️ The Dogwood Trail is a 0.4-mile out-and-back trail that connects to the Bill Faver Lakeshore and the Pine Thicket Trail.
🌿 It’s excellent for an easy, short hike and learning about local nature.
🚶♂️🌳 The trail features wide paths, possibly from an old logging route.
5. Chickadee Trail
🌲🚶♂️ The Chickadee Trail is a scenic, accessible 0.3-mile nature trail that runs behind the Piedmont Environmental Center‘s North Carolina Mapscape.
🔗 Ideal for all hiker levels, it connects to the Bill Faver Lakeshore Trail.
🦋🐦 Birdwatching opportunities abound, with chances to see deer and other wildlife.
🅿️✨ This trail has the easiest access to the Piedmont Environmental Center‘s parking lot.
6. Raccoon Run Trail
🌳🦝 Raccoon Run Trail is a 0.6-mile loop trail that loops back around to the Bill Faver Lakeshore Trail.
🥾✨🌲🍂 Scenic hike through hardwood and pine forests with some of the best views of High Point Lake in the entire preserve.
🔗 Accessible only by the Bill Faver Lakeshore Trail.
🌄 Easy hike with some elevation, making it great for all levels!
🌊🐦 Chance to see local wildlife while enjoying nature’s tranquility and the calming presence of the lake.
7. Wildflower Trail
🌼🥾 The Wildflower Trail is a short 0.4-mile loop trail known for the rocks that line the trail.
🌳✨ Accessible via Bill Faver Lakeshore Trail, it’s perfect for both avid hikers and leisurely strolls, offering a beautiful escape into nature. 🌿🏞️
North Preserve
8. Deep River Trail
🌲🏞️ The Deep River Trail is a scenic 2.3-mile out-and-back trail that can be turned into a loop by combining it with part of the Bicentennial Greenway.
🌊🌳 The trail provides some of the most diverse scenery from any of the Piedmont Environmental Center trails, with views of High Point Lake, wooded areas, and bogs.
🐦🦌 Wildlife is plentiful throughout the trail; we spotted multiple Great Blue Herons and woodpeckers.
✨ This trail is only accessible by walking down the Bicentennial Greenway.
9. Hollis Rogers Pine Woods Trail
🌲🗺️ The Hollis Rogers Pine Woods Trail is a short hike (0.4 miles) in the North Preserve.
🌳✨ It’s marked with orange and green blazes, winding through beautiful pine and hardwood forests.
🚶♂️🌲 Access is via the Deep River Trail.
🇺🇸🌲 Some trees were planted during the New Deal era.
