Hiking & Biking in Durham NC | Find Parks & Trails for Running & Hiking

Alert: As of December 2025, Lake Michie and parts of Eno River State Park are closed until further notice due to flooding. Please check park websites for updates.

Lace up and lose yourself. Durham's trails wind through forgotten rail beds and ancient forests, past rushing rivers and hidden relics, each path a different story, every turn a new discovery waiting just beyond the next bend.

The American Tobacco Trail is a 22.6-mile trail, 12 of which are in Durham, that runs along an abandoned railroad bed originally built for the American Tobacco Company in the 1970s. Beginning just across from the Durham Bulls Athletic Park at Morehead Ave, it is a must for bicycling, hiking, walking and running. Duke Forest also holds plenty of opportunities for hiking, running, and biking on their gravel and dirt trails. The North/South Greenway covers over 5 miles of paved pathways for visitors to travel and explore at their own speed. Included on the greenway is the Ellerbee Creek trail, which follows the first few miles of the creek that flows from downtown all the way to Falls Lake. Along the Ellerbee Creek trail, you can also find a hidden, prehistoric surprise.

Nature lover? Eno River State Park and Little River Regional Park & Natural Area feature hiking and biking trails along winding rivers and hills. The Eno River flows through Durham for 33 miles before eventually ending up in Falls Lake on the eastern edge, with entry through one of five access points. Little River Regional Park & Natural Area boasts 391 acres of park and natural area developed from tobacco farmland with seven miles of hiking trails, eight miles of single-track mountain biking trails, and a birding trail taking you through hardwood forest and around the flowing waters.

West Point on the Eno City Park includes a historic mill and farmhouse surrounded by trails with beautiful views of the Eno River. There are also urban pathways lined with nature preserves, trails through protected forests, and more.

If history is your thing, Horton Grove Nature Preserve is Triangle Land Conservancy’s largest nature preserve at just over 708 acres, and is a mere 10 miles from downtown Durham. Once part of the historic Stagville Plantation, trails are named in honor of the families that long cared for the land.

Whether you want to explore urban pathways lined with nature preserves, trails through protected forests, or an educational jaunt, Durham has the perfect setting for an active day outdoors.