Explore Trails
Connecting People to Nature
Connecting People to Nature
It’s right there in our mission: “PLC connects people to nature.” That’s why we work so hard to protect land for public access. Getting outside is good for our health, our communities, our environment, and even our economies. We’re proud to continue expanding opportunities for trails across our region. Access to open space and natural areas is critical for our region’s future, and PLC plays an important role in making these places available.
Below you’ll find a list of hiking trails where you can get outside on land that has been forever protected by Piedmont Land Conservancy.
Get Outside on PLC Protected Land
1. Cane Creek Mountains Natural Area
5075 Bass Mountain Rd, Snow Camp, NC 27349
The hiking is spectacular at Cane Creek Mountains Natural Area. From the top in the winter and early spring months, visitors can get views of the surrounding countryside when the trees have shed their leaves. The trail is a gradual climb up 400 feet which loops back down again. It winds through a beautiful mature forest with unique boulder formations and plant life, as well as shows off a pristine bubbling creek.
The first phase of trails at Cane Creek Mountains Natural Area opened in 2020 and the natural area continues to see growth like the 432-acre addition PLC added in 2021 which will eventually have more trails added.
- Accessibility: The trail begins as a flat, crushed gravel trail but transitions to a rocky and rooty natural surface trail as you being to climb the 400ft elevation gain to the summit.
- Distance: 2.5 miles or 1 miles
- Type: Loop
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Highlights: Mountain Summit, Creek, Unique Rock Outcrops
2. Pilot Creek Trail | Pilot Mountain State Park
Get away from the noise and come to Pilot Creek Trail. The mountaintop sections of Pilot Mountain State Park are often stirring with crowds, but not down here. From the small gravel parking lot at the address above, the trail rolls up and down small hills and cuts across little creeks until it connects with the Grindstone Trail and Mountain Trail to add onto your trip.
Piedmont Land Conservancy was a major partner in acquiring this land, adding 70 acres to Pilot Mountain State Park. A huge thank you to the Friends of Sauratown Mountains for building the trail. It takes a community to make wonderful places like this a reality.
- Accessibility: Pilot Creek Trail is a narrow natural surface trail. The trail also includes multiple creek crossings with one pictured in the image above.
- Distance: 3.3 miles
- Type: Out and Back
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Highlights: Streams, Woods
3. Faith Rock Trail | Deep River State Trail
Particularly lovely at sunrise and sunset, this 0.74 mile natural surface trail takes you to the top of a 50 foot blue stone outcrop as it juts into the Deep River. Thankfully its beauty will always be here as the preserve is protected in perpetuity by Piedmont Land Conservancy. From the trailhead at the address above, cross the historic bridge and follow the trail through woods with beautiful views of Deep River to the top of Faith Rock, a natural heritage site with rare plants.
- Accessibility: Faith Rock Trail starts with a historic bridge crossing with 7 steep steps up and back down the other side. After the bridge, the trail is natural surface with some sandy sections closer to the river and some rockier sections as the trail gently climbs.
- Distance: 0.75 miles
- Type: Loop
- Difficulty: Easy
- Highlights: River, 50 ft Rock, History
4. Ashley Ladd Trail | Yadkin Memorial Park
1142 Crystal Lane, Yadkinville, NC 27055
The Ashley Ladd Trail at Yadkin Memorial Park is 2 miles out and 2 miles back nature trail through the woods and along the lake shore to a view of Hood-Chamberlain Dam. This wide trail weaves over streams, through laurels and holly bushes, and past carpets of ferns. The trail has gentle ups and downs with places to rest at benches along the way. The park and trail continue to be expanded.
A PLC easement forever protects the 266-acre wooded buffer of land around Yadkin County’s future drinking water supply, Lake Hampton, ensuring clean water and recreation for generations to come.
- Accessibility: Yadkin Memorial Park has a couple trail sections. One is a paved 1 mile loop near the entrance to the park. The Ashley Ladd Trail is a wide and primarily smooth natural surface trail with some small creek crossings (pictured) and a gravel section near the dam.
5. Mayo River Trail and Fall Creek Falls | Mayo River State Park
113 Deshazo Road, Stoneville, NC 27048
At the top of the Triad right next to the State Line, you’ll find your next favorite hike. Passing by a gorgeous waterfall and snuggling into a bend of the Mayo River, this trail is all about the (surprisingly blue) water. It’s part of the Mayo River State Park and is located at the very top of the NC border. Though this hike has a bit of distance, it’s mostly flat. On a warm day you’ll be tempted to lie out on the sandy trail and stay a while.
To learn more about this trail see the guide on the Piedmont Legacy Trails Website.
- Accessibility: The Mayo River Trail starts as a wider hard packed trail with some gravel but has a set of stairs as it reaches Fall Creek Falls. From this point the trail gets narrower and increases in roots and rocks along the trail. Near the river the trail gets very soft and sandy.
- Distance: 1.9 miles (one way)
- Type: Out and Back
- Difficulty: Easy
- Highlights: Waterfall, Forest, River
6. Price Park | Greensboro
1420 Price Park Dr, Greensboro, NC 27410
The 92-acre Price Park is protected by a conservation easement held by PLC and provides a small sanctuary amidst a Greensboro suburb. The park features a hiking trail, paved greenway, and a bird and butterfly sanctuary. The 1-mile Evergreen Trail (pictured) winds through a lively forest while the 1-mile Price Park Greenway follows along the creek with more open views.
- Accessibility: The Evergreen Trail has a short-lived wide smooth section going clockwise from the library. It then turns into a slimmer path with rocks and roots. The Price Park Greenway is paved and more easily accessible.
- Distance: 2 miles
- Type: Trail System
- Difficulty: Easy
- Highlights: Forest, plant life, meadows
7. Black Walnut Bottoms Trail | Bethania
5393 Ham Horton Ln, Bethania, NC 27010
The Town of Bethania is a historic destination near Winston-Salem, with a wealth or trails to offer. PLC has worked closely with community to conserve the land around the town to create pockets of solace. The most easily accessible trail is Black Walnut Bottoms Trail, a 1.4 mile natural surface trail starting at the Bethania Visitor’s Center. The trail follows along Muddy Creek and cuts through forest and open fields.
- Accessibility: Black Walnut Bottoms Trail is natural surface but has many sections where the trail is over grass. Additionally there are a few bridges with steps up and down as well as stairs leading down from the parking lot to the trailhead.
- Distance: 1.4 miles
- Type: Trail System
- Difficulty: Easy
- Highlights: Forest, plant life, meadows
8. Wells Knob Trail | Elkin
Elkin, NC
Wells Knob Trail is a lovely 3 mile hike through the woods that will get your heart pumping. This trail is also open for trail users on horseback! The entire trail is 3.2 miles over the knob and down to the other side. If you hike up to the summit and turn back the way you came, that will also get you approximately 3 miles. The climb is an elevation gain of 735 feet.
We suggest starting this hike from the north side of Wells Knob because of the availability of parking. Turn onto Wits End Road from Roaring Gap Road and park on the left, before crossing the bridge. You will see a sign that says “Wells Knob Parking” along with other information. Please do not block the road or the dumpster when parking. The exact coordinates of the parking lot are (36.33939, -80.94693). Google Maps lists the location as “Wells Knob Trailhead.”
After parking, cross the bridge over Elkin Creek on foot along the gravel road. Before long, you will see the trail begin off the road on your right. Look for an MST sign with the white circle trail marker. From this point the trail is a marked natural surface trail up to the summit.
On the downslope of the southern side of the knob, the trail becomes a gravel road. Many people opt to turn around once reaching the summit and to head down the way they came back to their car.
- Accessibility: This natural surface trail begins as a narrow dirt path with roots and rocks. As the trail begins to climb it widens but becomes steeper and rockier. On the the southside of the Knob the trail becomes a gravel road.
- Distance: 3 miles
- Type: Out and Back
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Highlights: Mountain Summit, Stream, Beautiful Flora
- Users: Equestrians & Hikers
9. Knight Brown Nature Preserve
221 Waterfield Lane, Stokesdale, NC 27357
Right next to Belews Lake there is a piece of quiet, undisturbed land that is PLC’s beloved first preserve. The trail is a series of 3 loops that descend into a valley and weave along with a stream that cuts through the forest floor. Find the remarkable views of the bending creek on the Red Trail. Walking all 3 trails gives you a 2.7 mile journey.
- Accessibility: The trail is entirely natural surface with roots and rocks throughout. It begins with a steep descent and has two bridge crossings that require a step or two up and back down.
- Distance: 2.7 miles
- Type: Trail System
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Highlights: Mature forest, stream
Find more trails through Piedmont Legacy Trails
Together with the Piedmont Triad Regional Council we created Piedmont Legacy Trails, the trails collective in the Piedmont Triad whose primary goal is to highlight our natural places, connect trail efforts, and give voice to regional trail interests for the the benefit of our communities.
