Trails / Tracks / Greenways

Recreation & Parks offers a variety of trails, greenways and walking tracks to enhance the quality of life for residents and visitors in Burlington. Greenways, winding trails along the shorelines of our lakes and fitness tracks are dispersed around the community to encourage health and wellness. Share your walks and hikes on social media with #BtownWalks and #TakeAHikeBtown
 

 

GREENWAYS

Greenways and bikeways improve quality of life by providing opportunities for transportation, recreation, public health, economic development, and environmental stewardship. The Greenways and Bikeways Plan, completed in 2017, provides a framework for city staff, elected officials, and local and regional project partners to create a connected network of greenways and bikeways for Burlington. Read the complete Greenways and Bikeways Plan.

The plan recommended these as priority projects:

  1. Downtown 2 Elon Greenway - COMPLETED! More information coming soon!
    Burlington_Elon_BikewayUserMap_
  2. Haw River Greenway
  3. Springwood-Davidson Greenway
  4. Town & Country Bikeway

TRAILS

Trails are available at many parks across Burlington. Trails range from easy, paved or graveled trails to more moderate, hilly, nature trails. Walking, hiking or running trails are excellent ways to boost wellness, improve mood and release stress.

CITY PARK TRAILCity Park Trail (3)

Trailhead Parking: 273 E. Kitchin St. Burlington, NC 27215 (corner of Mebane St. and Kitchin St.)
Hours: Every day from sunrise to sunset
Trail Distance: 1.8 miles (with options to shorten or lengthen)
Trail Type: Loop,  View the map.
Elevation Gain: 65 feet
Restroom: Located at trailhead parking near the walking track
Trail Description: A moderately trafficked loop trail, good for all skill levels. The trail is a combination of gravel, sidewalk and asphalt paths with easy to follow signage throughout. The trail meanders through Burlington City Park taking hikers by ball fields, the dog park, the amusement ride area, natural areas, as well as the aquatic center, splash park, and tennis center. The trail is primarily used for walking and running. The trail is stroller and kid-friendly. Dogs on a leash are allowed.

Davidson PARK TRAILDavidson Park Trail (7)

Trailhead Parking: 3715 Rural Retreat Rd. Burlington, NC 27215
Hours: Every day from sunrise to sunset
Trail Distance: 1.0 mile
Trail Type: Loop,  View the map.
Elevation Gain: 42 feet
Restroom: Located behind the playground
Trail Description: A moderately trafficked loop trail good for all skill levels. The loop is a mix of paved and gravel-fines trail surface that follows the perimeter of the park. It’s great for walking and jogging. The trail is stroller and kid-friendly. Dogs on leash are allowed. On the north side of the loop there is an option to take a natural surface trail through the woods or stay to the paved trail. Davidson Park also hosts soccer and ball fields, a playground, tennis courts, picnic shelters, and restrooms.

Fairchild TrailFairchild Trail (3)

Trailhead Parking: 827 South Graham Hopedale Rd. Burlington, NC 27215. Other parking areas are available throughout Fairchild Park.
Hours: Every day from sunrise to sunset
Trail Distance: 1.0 mile
Trail Type: Loop,  View the map.
Elevation Gain: 39 feet
Restroom: Located inside the Community Center during open hours
Trail Description: A lightly trafficked loop trail good for all skill levels. The loop is a mix of paved and gravel-fines paths. The trail is primarily used for walking and running. The trail is stroller and kid-friendly. Dogs on leash are allowed. The trail follows the perimeter of Fairchild Park taking users by ball fields, playgrounds, a picnic shelter, the BMX track, a small walking track with outdoor fitness equipment, and the Burlington Royals Baseball Stadium. 

IMG_1057Guilford Mackintosh Trail

Trailhead Parking: 1345 NC HWY 61, Whitsett, NC 27377
Hours: Varies seasonally - check webpage for hours. Closed every Wednesday and Thursday.
Trail Distance: 0.5, 1, 2 and 3 miles
Trail Type: Loops, View the map.
Elevation Gain: 193 feet
Restroom: Located in Building "B" near trailhead parking or the marina office at the entrance of the park.
Trail Description: A moderately trafficked loop trail on a natural surface path (roots, rocks, leaves, etc) rated as moderate. The trail is rolling and wooded with lake views. The trail is used for hiking, trail running, and mountain biking. Dogs are allowed but must be kept on leash. This trail is good for all levels of hikers with various options to make the trail as short as a half-mile or as long as 3 miles. The park also offers ramps for private launch of non-gas engine boats, bank fishing, johnboat, kayak and canoe rentals, a playground, picnic tables, charcoal grills, and a shelter available for rent. 

Haw River TrailGlencoe Dam

Trailhead Parking and Maps:
Indian Valley Paddle Access - 930 Indian Valley Dr. Burlington, NC 27217
Great Bend Park - 350 Greenwood Dr. Burlington, NC 27217
Glencoe Paddle Access - 2348 Glencoe St. Burlington, NC 27217
Stoney Creek Marina - 1785 Faulkner Dr, Burlington, NC 27217
Hours: Varies seasonally - check webpage for hours. Open every day.
Trail Distance: Varies (up to 8 miles)
Trail Type: Out-and-back or point-to-point
Elevation Gain: Varies (but trails are mostly flat with some hills)
Restroom: Primitive toilets are available at Great Bend Park, Glencoe Paddle Access, and Stoney Creek Marina. Restrooms available at the Indian Valley Golf Course Clubhouse when open.
Trail Description: A moderately trafficked trail on natural surface paths. The trail offers beautiful views of the Haw River and its plants and wildlife. The trail is used for walking, hiking, trail running, picnicking, and fishing along the river. Visit the Haw River Trail webpage or AllTrails.com for complete trail descriptions, segment mileage, and more. The Haw River Trail offers additional hiking trails outside of Burlington, as well as, many paddle accesses along the river.

Lake Cammack Trail0423 SOAR Cammack (2)

Trailhead Parking: 4790 Union Ridge Rd. Burlington, NC 27217. Trail begins behind the marina office.
Hours: Vary seasonally - check webpage for hours. Closed every Wednesday and Thursday.
Trail Distance: 2.4 miles
Trail Type: Out-and-back (1.2 miles out, 1.2 miles back); View map.
Elevation Gain: 115 feet
Restroom: Located at the marina office.
Trail Description: A lightly trafficked trail on a natural surface path. The trail is rolling and wooded with open lake views. When the trail ends at the road, users can turn around and return via the same trail or go right and walk down the road back to the parking area. The trail is used for walking, hiking, and trail running. Dogs are allowed but must be kept on leash. The park also offers ramps for private boat launch, bank fishing, johnboat, a playground, picnic tables, and a shelter available for rent.

Springwood Trail 1Springwood Trail

Trailhead Parking: 1450 Springwood Church Rd. Burlington, NC 27216. Trail is accessible from all parking areas, but it’s suggested to park in the lot closest to the baseball fields.
Hours: Every day from sunrise to sunset
Trail Distance: 2.2 miles (with options to shorten or lengthen)
Trail Type: Loop; View map.
Elevation Gain: 88 feet
Restroom: Located in the center of the baseball complex and at the soccer complex.
Trail Description: Springwood Trail is a 2.2 mile moderately trafficked loop trail and is good for all skill levels. This paved trail is good for walking or running. The trail is stroller and kid-friendly. Dogs on a leash are allowed. The park is mostly dedicated to athletic fields and the trail loops around the perimeter of the park offering varied views along the way. Be cautious of flying discs - as the trail often parallels the disc golf course. The trail is fairly open and offers little shade. 

Town & Country Park TrailsTown and Country (2)

Trailhead Parking: 2999 Regent Park Lane, Burlington NC 27217. Parking is on-street.
Hours: Every day from sunrise to sunset
Trail Distance: Big Oak Loop: 0.8 miles. Woodhaven Loop: 0.4 miles. Riverside Trail: 0.2 miles
Trail Type: Loops and out-and-back; View map.
Elevation Gain: 147 feet
Restroom: No restrooms
Trail Description: The trails at Town & Country are lightly trafficked and rated as moderate. Combine the Big Oak Trail and Woodhaven Trail for a 1.2-mile, figure-8 loop hike. The trail has some steep, but short hills, follows creeks, has views of the Haw River, and passes through a powerline cut filled with wildflowers in season. On the Big Oak Trail you’ll find one of the biggest red oak trees recorded in Alamance County. Wildlife sightings include white-tailed deer, wild turkeys, box turtles, eastern grey squirrels, hawks, black snakes, and more! 

For other hiking opportunities in Alamance County please visit: Alamance-NC.com or AllTrails.com.

WALKING TRACKS

Walking tracks are provided around the city to provide safe opportunities to walk and exercise. Some locations have outdoor exercise equipment available around the track.

City Park | 273 E. Kitchen St. Burlington, NC 27215
Length: 0.27 mile (3.7 laps = 1 mile)
The track goes around baseball field. Additional mileage can be added by utilizing the City Park Trail.

11/30/22 UPDATE
Duke Energy will install new lights and poles at City Park ball fields 2-5. During this construction, lights will not be able to operate at the City Park walking track located at 273 E. Kitchen Street. This project’s timeline is based on weather, it will likely take place during the month of December. We are sorry for the inconvenience and look forward to new lights in the New Year!

Fairchild Park | 1411 Cloverdale St. Burlington, NC 27216
Length: 0.22 mile (4.5 laps = 1 mile)
The track goes around baseball field. Additional mileage can be added by utilizing Fairchild Trail.

Forest Hills | 227 Williamson St. Burlington, NC 27216
Length: 0.10 mile (10 laps = 1 mile)

North Park | 849 Sharpe Rd. Burlington, NC 27216
Length: 0.12 mile (8.3 laps = 1 mile)

Robinson Park | Rauhut St. and Key St. Burlington, NC 27216
Length: 0.12 mile (8.3 laps = 1 mile)

Springwood Park | 1450 Springwood Church Rd. Burlington, NC 27216
Length: 0.60 mile (1.7 laps = 1 mile) 
The track goes around baseball fields. Additional mileage can be added by utilizing Springwood Trail.