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Greensboro’s Greatest Hikes: Top 10 Trails

Over the course of a few months, we explored all of Greensboro’s major hiking trails. During these hikes, we encountered well-maintained paths showcasing abundant wildlife, stunning lake views, and historic structures that offered insight into Greensboro’s rich history. With over 30 miles of trails, Greensboro is an exceptional destination for outdoor enthusiasts. Below is our top ten list of the best hiking trails in Greensboro and what we loved about each one.

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Table of Contents


1. Piedmont Trail

The Piedmont Trail is a true local favorite. Spanning roughly 6 miles, this out-and-back trail features everything from a path that meanders through dense forests to some of the best views of Lake Brandt.

What we love about the Piedmont Trail:

🥾 This is a hiking-only trail, so you will not have to worry about mountain bikes while hiking the Piedmont Trail.

🏁 Roughly 6 miles of trails (total miles) is a nice distance to get in a workout without being overburdened.

🚶‍♂️/🚶‍♀️We love that the trail is located between the Atlantic & Yadkin Greenway and the Reedy Fork Trail, providing flexibility to extend your hike if desired.

🅿️ There are parking lots near both of the Piedmont Trail’s trailheads, making its accessibility easy.

📸✨The Piedmont Trail provides some of the best views of Lake Brandt, especially at sunset, making it a great place to take pictures or take in the peacefulness of the Lake. One of the best spots is closer to the Lake Brandt Road side of the trail.

🐦🦌🍄🌿 Wildlife is abundant throughout the Piedmont Trail, so keep your eyes open to spot some of the species that call this area home.


2. Owl’s Roost Trail

The Owl’s Roost Trail is popular for several reasons, including the high likelihood of spotting the majestic great blue heron. This out-and-back trail is a little over 8 miles and will make you want to do more hiking in the Greensboro area.

What we love about the Owl’s Roost Trail:

🌳The Owl’s Roost Trail is connected to Bur-Mil Park, which provides easy access to the park’s amenities, such as the wildlife center and a playground for the kids.

🏁 Although the Owl’s Roost Trail is an out-and-back type trail, we love that it can be made into a loop by combining it with the Atlantic & Yadkin Greenway and looping back to the Bur-Mil Park.

🅿️ There is plenty of parking available at Bur-Mil Park. The best places to park for easy access to the trail are the spaces closest to the wildlife center.

📸✨There are many great photo-worthy spots along the trail, with several locations to enjoy the charm of Lake Brandt at the top of the list. Hiking at sunrise can yield stunning photos of the sun peeking through the trees, so planning your hike for this time of day may provide additional photo opportunities.

🐦🦌🍄🌿 We saw various wildlife on the Owl’s Roost Trail, including a great blue heron. We were able to capture some amazing photos of the heron while hiking.


3. Laurel Bluff Trail

The Laurel Bluff Trail is approximately a 7-mile out-and-back trail that winds along the shores of Lake Townsend, offering numerous opportunities to appreciate the beauty of the lake and its surroundings.

What we love about the Laurel Bluff Trail:

🎋The trail starts with a captivating bamboo forest on the Lake Brandt side. This distinctive feature sets the tone for the entire hike, making the experience truly memorable. It is the only trail in Greensboro that winds through a bamboo grove.

🚶‍♂️/🚶‍♀️The Laurel Bluff Trail can easily be combined with the Crockett Trail and the West House Trail to create a longer hike. We appreciate the flexibility to adjust the length of our hike according to our desires for that day.

🅿️ There are two conveniently located parking lots that provide easy access to the Laurel Bluff Trail. The first lot is located directly across the road from the Lake Brandt Marina and is the most ideal option due to its close proximity to the trailhead. The second lot is situated off N. Church Street near the Crockett Trail; however, accessing the Laurel Bluff Trail from this location requires crossing the street.

📸✨The Laurel Bluff Trail offers numerous picturesque spots along its path, including areas where visitors can stand on the banks of Lake Townsend for stunning lake photos. This trail is especially beautiful in autumn.

🐦🦌🍄🌿 Life is abundant on the Laurel Bluff Trail, including possible sightings of great blue herons. Keep your eyes open and your cameras ready because you may be surprised by what you come across on the trail.


4. Nat Greene Trail

The Nat Greene Trail is a scenic 8.7-mile out-and-back trail that offers wonderful views of Lake Brandt.

What we love about the Nat Greene Trail:

🌊 This is one of only a couple of trails that has direct access to the Lake Brandt Marina without having to cross a street, so you have the ability to explore the Marina and its offerings on your hike.

🥾 The Nat Greene Trail is exclusively for hiking, so you typically won’t have to worry about encountering mountain bikers. However, there is a small section of the trail that intersects with the Wild Turkey Trail, which does allow mountain bikes, near a boardwalk.

🚶‍♂️/🚶‍♀️The Nat Greene Trail offers hikers the flexibility to customize their adventure by accessing various segments of the trail. You can also combine it with neighboring trails, such as the Wild Turkey Trail and the Palmetto Trail, to either shorten or extend your hike. For a shorter hike, consider starting at the Old Battleground Road Trailhead. If you’re looking for a longer hike, the Lake Brandt Marina Trailhead is a great starting point.

🅿️ There are two parking areas that offer convenient access to the Nat Greene Trail. The first is located at Lake Brandt Marina, where additional parking is available during its operating hours. The second option is the parking lot for the Palmetto Trail, situated off Old Battleground Road. From this parking lot, you will need to take a short walk down the Atlantic & Yadkin Greenway to reach the trailhead.

📸✨ The Nat Greene Trail offers numerous photo opportunities throughout the hike, showcasing stunning views of Lake Brandt and a picturesque marshland. Hiking this trail in the morning or at dusk will give you even more chances to capture incredible photographs.

🐦🦌🍄🌿 The Nat Greene Trail offers abundant opportunities for wildlife observation thanks to its unique features, including access to Lake Brandt, marshy areas, and wooded sections. To increase your chances of spotting wildlife, plan your hike for sunrise or around dusk, as many animals are more active during these times.


5. Palmetto Trail

The Palmetto Trail offers an ideal distance for a short hike (1.68 miles in one direction), and its beautiful scenery makes it one of our favorite trails in Greensboro.

What we love about the Palmetto Trail:

🥾 The Palmetto Trail is exclusively for hiking, so you typically won’t have to worry about encountering mountain bikers.

🐸 The Palmetto Trail offers stunning views of some of the local bogs in Greensboro, making it a magical place to appreciate the local wildlife.

🚶‍♂️/🚶‍♀️The Palmetto Trail can be easily combined with the Atlantic & Yadkin Greenway and the Nat Greene Trail to create a loop back to the dedicated parking lot of the Palmetto Trail.

🅿️ The Palmetto Trail in Greensboro features a dedicated parking lot at its trailhead, providing convenient access to your car.

📸✨ From the Bogs to the views of Lake Brandt, the Palmetto Trail offers a diverse hiking experience with plenty of opportunities for photos along the way.

🐦🦌🍄🌿 Wildlife along the Palmetto Trail is abundant, and planning your hike for dawn or dusk will increase your chances of spotting various animals.


6. Townsend Trail

The Townsend Trail is a 7.2-mile trail that runs alongside Townsend Lake, offering excellent views of the lake and opportunities to observe local wildlife.

What we love about the Townsend Trail:

🥾 The Townsend Trail is exclusively for hiking, so you typically won’t have to worry about encountering mountain bikers.

🌊 There are many trails that offer stunning views of the Greensboro lakes, but the Townsend Trail stands out as one of the few paths that approaches the shoreline closely without requiring a detour to reach the water. This unique feature adds a touch of magic to the experience.

🚶‍♂️/🚶‍♀️Adventurous hikers can combine the Townsend Trail with other trails surrounding Lake Townsend to create a Lake Townsend Loop.

🅿️ Hikers can park at Bryan Park, where there are plenty of parking spaces available near the trailhead.

📸✨The Townsend Trail presents ample opportunities to get incredible photos of the trail itself and Lake Townsend.

🐦🦌🍄🌿 There is abundant wildlife along the trail, including the great blue heron and signs of beaver activity, so keep your eyes open.


7. Blue Heron Trail

The Blue Heron Trail in Greensboro, NC, is a serene 7-mile out-and-back trail (total miles) trail that winds through the natural beauty of the city, offering a peaceful retreat for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts.

What we love about the Blue Heron Trail:

🚗 👴 The Blue Heron Trail includes the remains of an old abandoned car on the Yanceyville Road side, which is interesting to explore.

🌊 The trail offers stunning views of Lake Townsend.

🚶‍♂️/🚶‍♀️The Blue Heron Trail can easily be combined with the Kingfisher Trail to extend the hike.

🅿️ Parking is available at the Blue Heron Trail and Kingfisher Trail parking lot. While there are numerous parking spots, they tend to fill up quickly throughout the day due to the popularity of both trails for hiking and mountain biking.

📸✨There are many excellent photo opportunities along the Blue Heron Trail, including the abandoned car mentioned earlier and stunning views of the trail and Lake Townsend.

🐦🦌🍄🌿The trail is home to a variety of wildlife, including the great blue heron and signs of beaver activity, so be sure to keep your eyes open. Additionally, there is a wide range of plants and fungi along the trail that are definitely worth exploring.


8. Osprey Trail

Known for its scenic beauty, this 2.3-mile out-and-back trail is popular among hikers, birdwatchers, and trail runners, offering numerous opportunities to observe native flora and fauna.

What we love about the Osprey Trail:

🥾 The Osprey Trail is exclusively for hiking, so you typically won’t have to worry about encountering mountain bikers.

🌊 The trail offers stunning views of the southern part of Lake Townsend.

🅿️ The Osprey Trail in Greensboro features a dedicated parking lot at its trailhead, providing convenient access to your car.

📸✨ The Osprey Trail presents ample opportunities to get incredible photos of the trail itself and Lake Townsend. Hiking in the morning or evening can enhance the photos of this already beautiful trail.

🐦🦌🍄🌿 The trail is home to a variety of wildlife, including the great blue heron, so be sure to keep your eyes open. Additionally, there is a wide range of plants and fungi along the trail that are definitely worth exploring.


9. Guilford College – Underground Railroad Trail

This trail winds through an old-growth forest that served as a refuge for enslaved African Americans escaping to free states and Canada, with local Quakers and abolitionists providing critical support. 

What we love about the Unerground Railroad Trail:

🥾 The Underground Railroad Trail is exclusively for hiking, so you typically won’t have to worry about encountering mountain bikers.

🌳A notable feature of the trail is the 350-year-old tulip poplar tree at the end of the trail, known as the “Underground Railroad Tree,” which stood as a silent witness to these courageous journeys. There is a viewing platform located near the trail with an informational sign.

🅿️ The Underground Railroad Trail in Greensboro features a dedicated parking lot at its trailhead, providing convenient access to your car.

📸✨ Beyond the trail, there are a couple of notable spots that are perfect for photography. The Underground Railroad Tree is truly incredible to see and offers great photo opportunities. Additionally, there is an old wall adorned with murals located just a short distance off the trail.

🐦🦌🍄🌿 The trail is home to a variety of wildlife, so be sure to keep your eyes open. Additionally, there is a wide range of plants and fungi along the trail that are definitely worth exploring.


10. West House Trail

The West House Trail provides a peaceful and relatively easy hiking experience, making it especially appealing for those interested in exploring the historical and natural beauty of the area. 

What we love about the West House Trail:

🥾 The West House Trail is exclusively for hiking, so you typically won’t have to worry about encountering mountain bikers.

🏡 The historic West House at the end of the trail is worth visiting, as it represents one of the oldest houses in Guilford County, showcasing the unique “Flemish Bond” brickwork.

📸✨ From the West House to lots of photo worthy moments throughout the trail, you will end up with a number of good photos from this hike.

🐦🦌🍄🌿 The trail is home to a variety of wildlife, so be sure to keep your eyes open. Additionally, there is a wide range of plants and fungi along the trail that are definitely worth exploring.

2 thoughts on “Greensboro’s Greatest Hikes: Top 10 Trails”

  1. This is awesome!
    Very well organized and well done. My wife and I are looking forward to exploring each of these in person.
    Thanks so much

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