By Colin Ehrman
Staff Writer
As fall approaches and the weather begins to cool off from the searing summer heat, there’s no better time to step outside and enjoy Winston-Salem’s natural beauty. One of the best ways to get out and soak in the crisp autumn air is by exploring the beautiful trails in and around the city. Whether you’re walking, hiking, or running, these trails offer the scenic fall views you’ve been waiting for.
The first stop is the popular Salem Lake Trail. This seven-mile loop offers a great waterfront view for its entirety, and its flat dirt surface makes it ideal for walking or running. The park is dog and bike-friendly, making it a great family destination. For runners, the combination of long distance, lake views, wooded areas with nice shading, and mile markers makes it a top spot for running. Over the years, the convenience of the trail has developed a strong community, with high school and college cross-country teams practicing often. On the weekends, the trail stays busy with hundreds of runners and their teams ready to put in some early morning miles. As the cool weather creeps in and the red autumn leaves line the trails, Salem Lake becomes the place you want to be.
Heading north, the stunning Pilot Mountain State Park is thirty minutes outside Winston-Salem in Surry and Yadkin counties. Although the slightly remote location requires a bit of a drive, the breathtaking views of the autumn colors more than make up for it. The park features more than forty miles of trails with options for walking, hiking, and even a hilly run. With a variety of routes and a range of difficulties, there is something for everyone. The Pilot Knob Trail, a 0.9-mile loop with impressive cliff views, is by far the most popular trail on the mountain. Pilot Mountain is the definition of low-risk, high-reward. Accessible enough for a casual outing yet stunning enough to feel like an adventure.
Towards the heart of Winston-Salem and neighbors with R.J. Reynolds High School, is Crossnore Communities for Children, a local school and children’s home, that is home to the Crossnore Trails. Situated on a large ninety-two-acre plot of land, there are three main trails. The Winston-Salem skyline views and vast meadows along rolling hills make for a scenic walk in a more urban setting. The accessible location, small forest sections, and the grazing cattle make it fun and kid-friendly. However, some severe elevation and hills make for a slightly challenging hike, or even an out-of-breath trail run. With the cool fall weather settling in, Crossnore sits as a top-notch place to get in some quick exercise.
The final destination, perhaps the most stunning of them all, is Hanging Rock State Park in Stokes County. Just thirty miles north of Winston-Salem, the park spans over nine thousand acres of forest, waterfalls, and cliffs. With more than forty-eight miles of trails, visitors can explore scenic overlooks and cascades like Tory’s Falls, Hidden Falls, and Moore’s Knob. The park even offers a stone-lined cave known as Tory’s Den. While some sections are paved, many trails are very rocky and steep, so sturdy shoes are a must. At the top of the cliffs, hikers get to experience one of the best views in all of North Carolina, overlooking Monadnock peaks and the oak-hickory forest. A sea of all the beautiful autumn reds, oranges, and yellows.
Whether you’re looking for a quiet retreat into nature, a scenic spot for exercise, or a path full of community, the Winston-Salem area offers pieces of all the gorgeous autumn scenery. Lace up your shoes, step outside, and let nature show you how far a good walk can take you.