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Trails at The North Carolina Arboretum

Find your pace!

Located within the wildly popular and botanically beautiful Southern Appalachian Mountains, The North Carolina Arboretum offers more than 10 miles of hiking and biking trails that connect to many other area attractions such as Lake Powhatan, the Bent Creek Experimental Forest, Pisgah National Forest, and the Blue Ridge Parkway.

Twelve trails rated easy, moderate, and difficult offer opportunities to hike and bike, as well as walk dogs, stroll, or sit by the tranquil Bent Creek.

Click the map below to view and download trail maps.

  • All trails are dog-friendly. Please pick up after your pet!
  • Some trails are marked for foot traffic only. Please look for biking or hiking markers on trail signs.
  • Please be mindful of hikers when biking at The North Carolina Arboretum.
  • Running groups interested in using the Arboretum trails can review the Running Group Guidelines and email groups@ncarboretum.org with any questions.

Easy trails

Azalea Collection Trail – 0.5 miles (Foot traffic only)

Starting with a bridge from Bent Creek Road, this trail provides access to multiple routes through the National Native Azalea Collection, including a teaching circle and a close look at Bent Creek. At the west end of the collection, the Fern Loop provides a cool route along a natural mountain wetland and through part of a rhododendron thicket where you can get a slight feel for what a “laurel hell” meant to a mountaineer traveling cross country. Total length, including the Fern Loop, is approximately ½ mile.

Bent Creek Road – 1.3 miles

Bent Creek Road is a gravel-surfaced corridor shared by pedestrians, pets on leashes, and cyclists. The 12-foot-wide road follows Bent Creek for the length of the Arboretum property, with several adjoining roads leading out of the Arboretum and into the Pisgah National Forest. The majority of the road is flat and is perfect for novice bikers or those looking for longer routes connecting into the Bent Creek Experimental Forest and Lake Powhatan.

Bent Creek Trail – 1.3 miles (Foot traffic only)

Bent Creek Trail parallels the road in several places, running closer to the creek. One favorite attraction along the trail is the National Native Azalea Collection.

Old Mill Trail – 0.3 miles

The Old Mill Trail connects the trailhead/recreation parking area at the Arboretum’s main entrance to Bent Creek Road. After leaving the trailhead parking area, turn left around the pipe gate. Cross the bridge and the trail begins to the right through the woods. This trail is named for the old grist mill that existed in the area around the viaduct bridge.

Wolf Branch Road – 0.3 miles

Beginning at the Production Greenhouse parking lot, Wolf Branch Road is a short connector to Bent Creek Road, leading into the Bent Creek Experimental Forest and Lake Powhatan.

Moderate trails

Carolina Mountain Trail – 1.2 miles (Foot traffic only)

The Carolina Mountain Trail connects the Arboretum’s Production Greenhouse with the Education Center, main garden areas, and Bent Creek Road. This trail winds through three different forest types — pine, mixed hardwood, and ericaceous — and provides interpretation of native trees and insects throughout. An overlook along the trail offers a place to rest and listen to the murmurs of Bent Creek. You’ll also pass the peaceful ripples of the Wolf Branch cascades. Trail entrances are located beside the Education Center adjacent to the reserved parking area, on Wolf Branch Road, and on Bent Creek Road at the west edge of the Arboretum property. A short connector runs from the overlook to the Production Greenhouse main parking area.

Natural Garden Trail – 0.75 miles (Foot traffic only)

The Natural Garden Trail makes a loop from the Plants of Promise Garden to the north end of the main garden area. This is a gently graded, naturally surfaced trail that takes in several changes in forest type as it winds around the hillside, overlooking Bent Creek and the National Native Azalea Collection along the way.

Running Cedar Road – 0.5 miles

Running Cedar Road is a gravel-surfaced road that allows bikers, hikers, and pets on leashes access from the main garden area to Bent Creek Road.

Rocky Cove Road – 0.5 miles

Rocky Cove Road connects Bent Creek Road to the Owl Ridge Trail. The best example of Southern Appalachian cove hardwood forest on the property can be found here.

Difficult trails

Owl Ridge Trail – 0.94 miles

The Owl Ridge Trail is the upper portion of a recreational loop used by bikers, hikers, and pets on leashes. This naturally surfaced section is about 0.94 miles, joining Rocky Cove Road with Hard Times Road, and connects to the lower trail which crosses the creek to rejoin Bent Creek Road, making the whole loop about 3.5 miles.

Wesley Branch Trail – 0.4 miles (Foot traffic only)

This trail connects Bent Creek Road near its intersection with the Old Mill Trail to the Natural Garden Trail and the main garden area, passing through a rhododendron thicket. Both the Wesley Branch Trail and the Natural Garden Trail are open to foot traffic only.

Hard Times Road – 0.8 miles

Beginning at the recreational parking lot, Hard Times Road is a short but steep biking trail that connects to the Pisgah National Forest. Once off Arboretum property, the road drops in elevation and connects with Bent Creek Road near Lake Powhatan.Staff Quick Reference

Rocky Cove Road – 0.5 miles

Rocky Cove Road connects Bent Creek Road to the Owl Ridge Trail. The best example of Southern Appalachian cove hardwood forest on the property can be found here.