Trails & Greenways

Existing Trails and Greenways

Gold Park -- 0.66 miles
Gold Park has a series of paved walking trails totaling 0.66 miles. For a map of the trail lengths, visit the Gold Park webpage. 

Historic Downtown Bicycle Route -- 6.6 miles
The Alliance for Historic Hillsborough has mapped a 6.6-mile bicycle route through Hillsborough that visits 12 historic sites.

Historic Downtown Walking Route -- variable length
A booklet on a self-guided walking tour through downtown Hillsborough is available for $3 from the Orange County Visitors Center, located at 150 E. King St. The booklet provides a map and detailed information for more than 40 historic buildings.

Historic Occoneechee Speedway Trail -- 3 miles
Three miles of mulched trails, including a stretch along the Eno River, are open at the Historic Occoneechee Speedway Trail. The trail is part of the Classical American Homes Preservation Trust's trail system and is privately owned but open to the public.

King's Highway Park -- 1 mile
One mile of wooded nature trails winds through King's Highway Park, located off Ben Johnston Road.

Occoneechee Mountain State Natural Area -- 3 miles
Three miles of hiking trails are at this natural area. One trail can be accessed from the Occoneechee Mountain parking lot, off Orange Grove Road.  Another system of trails can be accessed off Allison Road.

Poet's Walk at Ayr Mount Historic Site -- 1 mile
Poet's Walk is a one-mile trail around the edge of the Ayr Mount property. Part of the trail borders the Eno River. It is part of the Classical American Homes Preservation Trust's trail system and is privately owned but open to the public. The trail can be accessed from the Ayr Mount parking lot off St. Mary's Road.

Riverwalk -- 0.3 miles
Phase 1, approximately 0.3 miles, of the Riverwalk greenway is open in Gold Park.
 

Proposed Greenways

Riverwalk (Proposed) -- 2.8 miles
Riverwalk is a greenway that will run alongside the Eno River from King's Highway Park through downtown Hillsborough to the Historic Occoneechee Speedway Trail. It will connect into the statewide Mountains-to-Sea Trail. The 2.8-mile trail will be 8 feet wide and paved for bicycle, stroller and handicap accessibility. The first phase of Riverwalk, 0.3 miles in length, opened in Gold Park in May 2009. The expected completion date for Riverwalk is 2010.  It will be maintained by the Town of Hillsborough.

Cates Creek Greenway (Proposed) -- 2.6 miles
Cates Creek Greenway is a proposed 2.6-mile greenway along Cates Creek that will connect Historic Occoneechee Speedway Trail to the planned Cates Creek Community Park in the Waterstone development. Pending funding, the project is the town's next major greenway project after Riverwalk is complete.