Walking Trails Near Winston-Salem: A Spring Guide
April is one of the best months to get outside in Winston-Salem. The weather is cooperative, the trees are coming back to life, and Earth Day on April 22 serves as a good reminder that spending time in nature is one of the simplest things we can do for our well-being. Whether you are looking for a short stroll through a historic garden or a full-day adventure in the mountains, the Winston-Salem area has no shortage of trails worth exploring this spring.
Salem Lake Trail
Salem Lake is often called the hidden gem of Winston-Salem, and anyone who has walked its 7-mile loop around the water understands why. The trail winds through 1,400 acres of forest with lake views around nearly every bend. The surface is primarily gravel and natural dirt, with a paved accessible section near the marina. You are likely to share the path with cyclists, joggers, and the occasional equestrian, so the trail has a lively, community feel. Shorter out-and-back options are available for those who prefer a less ambitious outing. The trail connects to the Salem Creek Greenway, making it part of one of the largest trail networks in the city.
Reynolda Gardens
The 134-acre Reynolda estate, owned and maintained by Wake Forest University, is open to the public from dawn to dusk and free to visit. Spring is a particularly rewarding time to go, with formal gardens in bloom and the grounds at their most vibrant. Trails range from the short 0.25-mile Reynolda Village Trail, which passes over a bridge and by a waterfall, to the 1.7-mile Perimeter Trail looping through woods and meadow. The estate is also part of the North Carolina Birding Trail, so bring patience and keep an eye on the treetops. Reynolda Gardens is already a favorite among Brookridge residents — our community life programming includes a hiking group that visits regularly.
The Strollway and Salem Creek Greenway
For a walk through the heart of the city with a side of history, the Strollway is a good place to start. The 1.2-mile paved path begins at Corpening Plaza and winds south past Old Salem, crossing the Heritage Bridge into the 18th-century Moravian settlement. From there, walkers can connect to the Salem Creek Greenway, a 4.5-mile paved route that passes through the Innovation Quarter, over old train trestles, and alongside skyline views of downtown. Together with the Long Branch Trail, the connected system covers 27 miles of in-city walking.
Historic Bethabara Park
Founded in 1753, Bethabara was the first Moravian settlement in the North Carolina Piedmont and is now a National Historic Landmark with 183 acres of trails, wetlands, and preserved history. The 2.7-mile Bethabara Greenway serves as the anchor, with additional loops through the woodlands and along Mill Creek. An observation deck overlooks a beaver pond, and the park is part of the NC Birding Trail with over 126 recorded bird species. Admission to the grounds is free year-round.
Muddy Creek Greenway
At nearly 3 miles, the Muddy Creek Greenway is flat, wide, and paved, making it one of the more accessible options in the city. The path follows the creek through meadows, past small farms, soccer fields, and horse pastures between Jamison Park and Country Club Road. It is a low-key, unhurried walk that rewards those who are not in a rush.
Bethania Village Trails
Eight miles northwest of downtown, the historic village of Bethania offers four short trails through the surrounding landscape. The 1.4-mile Black Bottom Trail is the most popular, tracing the banks of Muddy Creek through open fields and under a canopy of trees with no significant hills. Trail maps are available at the Bethania Visitor Center.
Pilot Mountain State Park
About 30 minutes north of Winston-Salem via Highway 52, Pilot Mountain is one of the most recognizable landmarks in North Carolina. The quartzite peak rises 2,421 feet from the surrounding Piedmont and has served as a landmark for centuries. Visitors can drive to the summit parking area, where short walks like the 0.1-mile Little Pinnacle Overlook deliver sweeping 360-degree views. Those looking for more can take the 0.8-mile Pilot Knob Trail around the base of the Big Pinnacle, or work their way up the 7-mile Grindstone Trail from the visitor center. Day use is free.
Hanging Rock State Park
Roughly 40 minutes north, Hanging Rock State Park spans more than 9,000 acres in the Sauratown Mountains and offers some of the most scenic trails in the region. Five named waterfalls are accessible by trail, including the Upper Cascades Falls, which is just 0.2 miles from the parking area. The moderate 1.3-mile Hanging Rock Trail leads to the park's namesake viewpoint. Day use requires no admission fee, and the trails are well-maintained and clearly signed.
Winston-Salem is fortunate to sit at the center of a region where green space is never far away, from wooded greenways winding through city neighborhoods to mountain state parks just up the road. At Brookridge, our 46-acre wooded campus in northwest Winston-Salem puts residents within easy reach of many of these trails. This Earth Day, it is worth taking stock of what is right outside the door. A good trail has a way of putting things in perspective. If you are curious about what life at Brookridge looks like day to day, we would love to show you. Contact our team to schedule a visit.