Fall Hiking Around Jordan Lake

Pittsboro, NC – The Fall leaf colors are peaking this week. A perfect time for me to get out of the house and go for a hike with the kids.

I feel so lucky to have Jordan Lake so close to home. I plan to pack a lunch and a camera to photograph the colorful foliage.

There are numerous hiking trails to enjoy all around the lake. All are easy walking for all ages and offer many views. You can download a map from NC Parks.

Here are a few of my favorite places to go.

Ebenezer Church Recreation Area:

Ebenezer has two loop trails, each about a mile in length as well as a short trail connecting the picnic areas to the swimming beach.

The Ebenezer Church Trail is an easy one-mile loop trail that passes the site of the historic Ebenezer Church for which the area was named. The trailhead is at the southeast corner of the beach parking lot.

The Old Oak Trail is an easy one-mile loop trail that begins at the parking lot in Ebenezer Picnic Area A. This trail can be cut to one half mile by taking the shortcut loop, making this a great trail for small children.

New Hope Overlook:

New Hope Trail is the most strenuous hike. The trail begins near the bathrooms at the boat ramp. The red loop is 5.4 miles and the blue loop is 2.7 miles in length. This is the most challenging trail with several steep hills. This trail has beautiful views of the Lake.

Vista Point:

The Red Trail is an easy three-mile hike that begins near the showerhouse. It is nearly a loop trail, but requires walking along the park road for about 100 yards to end up back at the shower house.

The Blue Trail is a one-mile loop trail that begins near the entrance gate. Hikers will pass by an old tobacco barn.

Seaforth:

The Pond Trail is an easy 1.5-mile trail. The path is nearly a loop and begins at the display case on the western side of the beach parking lot and ends near Picnic Shelter #9. You will enjoy glimpses of the lake while walking.

Parker’s Creek:

The Children’s Nature Trail is an easy half-mile hike. This loop trail begins at Picnic Shelter #3. Hikers will enjoy a long boardwalk and an old farm pond.

The Connector Trail is 1.5 miles in length and connects each camping loop to the swimming beach. Hikers can see signs of old home sites, including rock foundations, farm fencing and ornamental plants.

Crosswinds Campground:

The easy 1.5-mile trail begins at the boat ramp parking lot and ends near campsite C1. The trail connects the boat ramp to each camping loop. Crosswinds Campground is for registered campers only.

Poplar Point Campground:

This easy 2-mile trail winds its way from loop B to loop J and can be accessed from each camping loop. Poplar Point Campground is for registered campers only.

—————————————————————————-

Photo by ShaggyHill used under a Creative Commons license.