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The Neuse River Trail is a scenic greenway paralleling the Neuse River from Falls Lake Dam to Johnston County.


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Map Key

30.5

Miles

49.1

KM

100%

Runnable

279' 85 m

High

148' 45 m

Low

398' 121 m

Up

465' 142 m

Down

1%

Avg Grade (0°)

5%

Max Grade (3°)

Dogs Leashed

Features Fall Colors · River/Creek · Views · Wildlife

Description

This paved greenway trail parallels the Neuse River as it flows from Falls Lake Dam on the outskirts of Raleigh—North Carolina’s capital city—through suburban and rural Wake County. It is part of North Carolina’s 1150-mile Mountains-to-Sea Trail (MST), running concurrently with the easternmost 35 miles of Mountains-to-Sea Trail: Segment 11.

Heading south (east in MST terms), the Neuse River Trail (NRT) begins at the Falls Lake parking area just below Falls Lake dam. The mostly wooded path follows the Neuse River downstream through the edges of housing developments. As it leaves the Raleigh suburbs around mile 20, the trail takes on a more rural, agricultural feel.

The trail crosses the Neuse River several times, affording scenic views of the river, the surrounding floodplain, and wildlife. Travelers also have educational opportunities through the many interpretive signs, which bring alive the history and abundance of natural resources along the trail.

The southern (again, eastern in MST terms) end of the NRT is the Johnston County line; however, the greenway path continues as the Clayton River Walk and Sam’s Branch Greenway in Smithfield.

Highlights include:
  • The Neuse River, named for the Neusiok tribe that lived far downstream near present-day New Bern and Havelock.
  • Pedestrian bridges over the river, including two graceful suspension bridges: one at Skycrest Road and one at Louisburg Road in Raleigh.
  • Raleigh parks along the greenway including Horseshoe Farm, Milburnie and Anderson Point.

Shared By:

Mikhaila Redovian with improvements by Debbie Serra

Trail Ratings

  3.7 from 6 votes

#3

in Falls

#23134

Overall
  3.7 from 6 votes
5 Star
17%
4 Star
50%
3 Star
17%
2 Star
17%
1 Star
0%
Trail Rankings

#3

in Falls

#898

in North Carolina

#23,134

Overall
5 Views Last Month
1,813 Since Nov 22, 2016
Easy/Intermediate Easy/Intermediate

67%
0%
17%
0%
17%
0%

Photos

Beautiful hiking around the lake
Jul 24, 2019 near Knightdale, NC
Buffaloe Road Athletic Park bridge, Neuse River Trail.
Sep 19, 2019 near Knightdale, NC
Buffaloe Road Athletic Park bridge, Neuse River Trail.
Sep 19, 2019 near Knightdale, NC
Neuse River Trail
Sep 19, 2019 near Knightdale, NC
Skycrest suspension bridge, Neuse River Trail.
Sep 19, 2019 near Knightdale, NC
One of two suspension bridges across the Neuse River on MST Segment 11B. Photo by PJ Wetzel, www.pjwetzel.com.
Apr 8, 2016 near Knightdale, NC

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Current Trail Conditions

Bad / Closed 22 days ago
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