The following Environmental Education Centers help you improve your health by offering an exercise-friendly outdoor environment:

Agape Center for Environmental Education
Trails:
Cascade Trail - 1 mile - unpaved, moderate hills;
Hickory Trail - 0.2 mile - unpaved, easy;
Holly Trail - 0.26 mile - unpaved, easy, wheelchair accesible;
Loblolly Trail - 0.18 mile - unpaved, moderate hills;
Maple Trail - 0.18 mile - unpaved, moderate hills;
Meditation Rock Trail - 0.27 - unpaved, moderate hills;
Oak Trail - 0.11 - unpaved, easy hill;
Parker's Creek Trail - 2 miles - unpaved, moderate hills;
Pond Trail Loop - 0.26 - unpaved, moderate hill;
River Trail - 0.27 - unpaved, moderate hill;
Swamp Trail - 0.34 - unpaved, easy;
Sweetgum Trail - 0.35 - unpaved, moderate hills;
Note: Actual walking distance is longer than stated in most cases, because one needs to walk to get to the trailhead.

Airlie Gardens
Trails
There are three walking trails in the gardens varying in length (yellow 1.2 miles, blue .7 miles, and red .5 miles). There is little change in elevation in the garden, so none of the paths are strenuous. The paths are made with different materials such as asphalt, gravel, grass, and mulch. The trails are ADA compliant.
Other Exercise: Airlie will provide guided public kayak eco tours using the access of our dock into Bradley Creek. Please check with the environmental education program for the schedule of these tours. Airlie Gardens is not a public boat ramp.

Health Programs
The guided kayak eco tours will integrate the rigors of paddling in tidal waters as well as the educational opportunities of observing the organisms of the marsh such as waterfowl, fish, arthropods, and plants.

Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge
Creef Cut Wildlife Trail, an easy, handicap accessible 1/2 mile, paved trail with informational kiosks and Sandy Ridge Wildlife Trail, an easy, handicap accessible 1/2 mile unpaved trail with a boardwalk and informational kiosks are both available for easy hiking. There is also a 7 mile gravel road for bikers. Fishing can be done throughout the refuge, and there is a handicap-accessible platform available. There are also 15 miles of canoe/kayak trails. Canoe tours are available, but boats are not available for rent. Reservations are required for boat tours.

Broad River Greenway
Trails
Downstream Trail easy approximately 2 miles unpaved natural material, realatively smooth (1900 linear feet is wheelchair accessible trail bed is compacted gravel fines.) Upstream Trail is moderate to strenuous 2.5 miles one way with various spurs to increase length up to approximately 15 miles. Upstream trail is unpaved natural material with a more rustic feel(roots, rocks and other obstacles).

Other Exercise: Upstream trail is open to bikes, pedestrians and equestrians.

The Greenway is the starting point of Broad River Canoe Trail leading down into South Carolina. Canoe maps are available in PDF format online at www.broadrivergreenway.com.

Health Programs
Scavenger Hunt sends participants scouring trails for information located on several educational signs or native trees, etc. Spirit Walk is a co-sponsored event with Cleveland Regional Medical Center to encourage walking.

Cape Fear Botanical Garden
Trail Information
Cape Fear Botanical Garden includes approximately 2.5 miles of walking trails. Approximately half are easy, meandering paths through landscaped gardens, while the remaining trails are moderately difficult along the Cape Fear River. These are natural, sandy trails that are maintained and are 3 feet wide on average.

Our paths are accessible to scooters with wide wheels. Due to the sandy paths, standard indoor wheelchairs may experience difficulty*. Golf carts are available for rental with prior arrangements (2 days notice). We encourage visitors with disabilities to call the Garden for further information.

* We are in the process of ordering a Landeez all-terrain wheelchair for visitor use.

VOTED FAYETTEVILLE'S BEST PLACE TO COMMUNE WITH NATURE 2 YEARS IN A ROW!

Cape Lookout National Seashore
Trails
Behind the Harkers Island visitor center is the Soundside Trail. This 0.9 mile long trail is flat but has some rough surfaces and soft soil. About half of the trail is a wooden boardwalk.
Other Exercise
The Shell Point picnic area across from the Harkers Island Visitor Center is the launch point for kayaks/canoes wishing to paddle the 3 miles across the open waters of Core Sound to the Cape Lookout Lighthouse.

Carolina Raptor Center
The Carolina Raptor Center has a half mile, mulched surface, easy grade trail. There is a fee for admission.

Clark Park Nature Center
Trails
Clark Park includes three unpaved trails that are all an easy level. The Bear Trail is a 0.6 mile loop that winds through the woods down to an overlook of the Cape Fear River. The Wetlands Trail is a 0.6 mile wooded trail that crosses over creeks and a small wetland. The Laurel trail is a 0.3 mile trail that winds through the woods. Clark Park also serves as an access point for the 4.2 mile Cape Fear River Trail. The Cape Fear River trail is a paved, easy to moderate trail that stretches from Clark Park to Methodist College along the banks of the Cape Fear River.
Exercise Opportunities
Bikes are welcome to use the 4.2 mile Cape Fear River Trail.

Clemmons Educational State Forest
Clemmons Educational State Forest has the following trails for hiking and jogging:

Talking Trees Trail - .6 mile, bark surface, easy to moderate

Talking Rocks Trail - .8 mile, bark surface, easy to moderate

Forest Demonstration Trail - 2.2 miles, bark and packed soil/gravel surface, moderate to difficult with elevation changes of 100 feet or more on long grades. Clayton High School uses this trail for their cross country course.

Forest Road Trail - 3.2 miles, gravel and dirt surface, moderate to difficult (similar to Forest Demonstration Trail, but with more hills)

More trails are planned for the state forest's new property that will provide 5-10 more miles of trail!

Colburn Earth Science Museum
Join geologists from the Colburn Earth Science Museum every third Saturday each month for an enjoyable stroll through downtown Asheville while observing the natural building stone used in some of the city’s most beautiful and historic buildings. Discussions will include the many geologic features seen in the granite, marble, and limestone from across the country that was used in Asheville’s buildings and monuments. Hear about the history of these buildings and the architects and stone artisans that traveled to Asheville to build them. Created from the early 1800’s up through the Art Deco period of the 1920’s, the natural stone facades and carvings in downtown Asheville have helped shape the character of this beautiful city. The walk takes place on paved streets and sidewalks. Depending on the size of the group, it takes about 90 minutes to complete. It is an easy walk in which everyone can participate. The cost of the Geology walk is free for Colburn Museum members and $5.00 for non-members. Advance registration is encouraged, but not required. The Colburn Museum also hosts a "Geologic Whitewater Rafting" trip on the French Broad River every summer.

Crowder District Park
Crowder District Park has a mile of paved walking trails in a landscaped setting. The trails are considered low difficulty with some mild hills. Walking trails are also suitable for joggers, dog walkers, baby strollers, roller blading, and youth bicycling.

Frank Sharpe Jr. Wildlife Education Center
Trails
*Owl's Roost Trail, hiking and biking trail, 5.2 miles, unpaved, difficult for bikers
Recently voted the "best urban mountain biking trail" in the country by Bicycling Magazine, the dips, twists, turns, and hops on the Owl’s Roost Trail make it a regional favorite for single-track riding. This trail is rugged compared to some of the other watershed trails and is the most technical ride in the system. The additional 1.5 miles of old fire lanes that have been converted to trails add an extra benefit to the trail.

*Lake Brandt Greenway, 2.6 miles, paved, easy difficulty
Pedestrians can access the Lake Brandt Greenway next to the Wildlife Education Center. The Greenway is a paved trail that leads to the Guilford Courthouse National Military Park. There is a great view of Lake Brandt from the H. Michael Weaver Bridge. Many different native plants, wildflowers, pines, and mixed hardwoods make this trail quite scenic. If you wish to take a detour off of the paved Greenway, you can venture onto one of the unpaved Watershed Trails.

*Big Loop Trail, Hiking & Biking, 3 miles, unpaved, moderate difficulty

*Little Loop Trail, Hiking & Biking, .8 miles, unpaved, moderate difficulty

Other Exercise
Bike Trails- see above
Aquatic Center
Golf Course
Tennis Courts 

Health Programs
Dasani Blue Bikes Program- Bikes are loaned for adult riders to use on paved trails.

Grandfather Mountain
Trail Information
Grandfather Mountain has 11 trails varying in difficulty from a gentle walk in the woods to a rigorous trek across rugged peaks. It is in the backcountry that you come up against the more challenging hikes.

Grandfather has a number of gentle paths that can be accessed from the summit road. Designed to offer a low-impact foray into nature, these paths allow guests to get out in the woods without requiring a long and strenuous commitment.

Please visit our Web site, www.grandfather.com, for more information regarding our 13 miles of hiking trails.

Halyburton Park
Halyburton Park in Wilmington, NC offers a 1.3 mile paved trail for walking and biking around the perimeter of the park. This park was newly constructed in 2004, and the trail is in excellent condition. Several sandy walking trails, about 1/2 mile in total length, run through the interior of the park. In addition, Halyburton Park offers the Adventures Pathways program with trips around the state that include hiking, backpacking, canoeing, kayaking, and climbing. The Adventure Pathways Web site, www.adventurepathways.com, offers a current listing of programs.

Hatcher's Bridge Tree Farm
Trails
Two miles of walking/hiking trails - a nice loop for jogging. All trails are grass or hard-pack sand. Mostly level trails that are not difficult.
Other Exercise
Kayak rental available or bring your own. No charge for access to the Little River. Conditions vary - call for information.

Haw River State Park
Trails
HARP at Haw River State Park has a variety of trails ranging in length from 50 meters to 2 miles. Some are paved, while others are more challenging, weaving down to wetland areas and up hills to rolling meadows. The majority of the trails can be considerate easy to moderate and are unpaved.
Other Exercise
Groups may canoe in our lake, bike, as well as use our disc golf course, gymnasium, and tennis courts.
Health Programs
HARP runs programs that include yoga, stretching, challenge course, walking, hiking, and ecological games.

Highlands Botanical Garden
The Highlands Botanical Garden serves as a refuge and demonstration garden for the diverse flora of the Southern Appalachian Mountains. Over 500 species flourish in natural forest, bog, and wetland plant communities. Trails and boardwalks lead to display gardens for native azaleas, carnivorous plants, butterfly-pollinated plants, edible/medicinal herbs, and examples of native plant landscapes for homes and businesses.

The Garden also includes natural areas, such as the Coker Rhododendron Trail, an old-growth hemlock-hardwood forest. The Garden covers approximately 11 acres on the shores of 4-acre Lindenwood Lake.

Nature Center Trail
The Nature Center Trail connects the Nature Center with the Botanical Garden, passing the Heart Garden, the Azalea Garden, the Amphitheater, the Vernal Herb Garden, and ending at the Howell Garden. Easy walk, some stairs.

Woodland Loop
The Woodland Loop begins at the Howell Garden entrance to the Botanical Garden and winds through a hardwood-dominated forest, typical of the Highlands Plateau. It passes a variety of woodland wildflowers and understory trees and shrubs. Average walk, few stairs.

Foreman Trail
The Foreman Trail also begins at the Howell Garden entrance to the Botanical Garden, crosses a bridge through a hemlock-hardwood forest, and continues along a shaded stream, passing Mary’s Garden and ending at the Falls Loop Trail. Average walk, some stairs and roots.

Falls Loop Trail
Falls Loop begins at the end of the Foreman Trail and circles a small cascade at the border of the Botanical Garden property. Somewhat difficult, rocks and stream to navigate.

Fern Trail
The Fern Trail is a bypass option between the Foreman Trail and Lower Lake Trail. It passes across silty soil hosting some wetland species and an array of ferns native to the Southern Appalachians. Easy walk, sometimes saturated.

Lower Lake Trail
The Lower Lake Trail begins at the Foreman Trail and follows the stream through riparian hardwood forest, crossing a boardwalk over a Southern Appalachian bog, and ending at the Upper Lake Trail. Easy walk, level.

Upper Lake Trail
The Upper Lake Trail forks from the Foreman Trail and winds through a heath forest along the eastern shore of Lindenwood Lake, across a boardwalk through a wetland/bog complex, and eventually ending on Lower Lake Road. Average walk, some roots and stones.

Coker Rhododendron Trail
The Coker Rhododendron Trail begins on Lower Lake Road, near the junction with the Upper Lake Trail. This trail leads through a gorgeous old-growth hemlock-hardwood forest, nestled in a rhododendron covered cove, overlooking a stream complete with musical cascades. The trail ends at a stream crossing. Hikers should turn around and hike back towards Lower Lake Road. Average to challenging, steep inclines and roots.

Visitors should walk back to the Upper Lake Trail, through the Botanical Garden to the Nature Center, or follow Lower Lake Road and cross the dam. This will pass the Biological Station, weather station, main offices, and the Butterfly Garden. Look for posted maps of the entire grounds on the dam, at the end of Upper Lake Trail, behind the Nature Center, and at the entrance near Howell Cottage.

Historic Yates Mill County Park
Trails
- Mill Pond Trail - Creek crossing temporarily closed - one mile in length - unpaved surface - easy hike -
- Upper Ridge Trail - 7/8 mile in length - unpaved surface - moderate difficulty - non accessible
- Creekside Trail - Currently under construction - 1 mile in length (one way) -unpaved surface - moderate difficulty -
  non accessible

Holmes Educational State Forest
Trails
Holmes Educational State Forest features approximately 5 miles of trails in varying degrees of difficulty. All trails are accessed from the main parking area.

Very Easy
Crab Creek Trail .5mi. This relatively easy one-half mile trail meanders in part along Crab Creek and through a young white pine stand. It was built in 1995-96 as part of an ongoing effort to improve trail accessibility. Educational sites include a fire tower, fire plow, and helicopter exhibits, each with an audio station. An amphitheater for "Fire Control" classes is located nearby. Wheelchair accessible.

Easy
Talking Tree Trail .5mi. This one-half mile trail features seven audio stations. Each of these "Talking Trees" provides information about itself and the forest ecosystem. The trail is a great introduction to an Educational State Forest and a great place to view spring wildflowers.

Strenuous
Forest Management Demonstration Trail 3.5mi. This 3.5-mile trail was designed to provide educational opportunities as well as enjoyable hiking. The primary educational focus is on proper natural resource management. There is a brochure available at the trailhead, which provides hikers with information about points of interest along the trail. Hikers with less time can take advantage of the short cut.
Soil and Water Trail .5 mi. This one-half mile trail features a wetland boardwalk, amphitheater, and exhibits. The exhibits include a Soil Profile, which provides a vertical view of soil strata.

Very Strenuous
Wildcat Rock Trail .5mi. This very strenuous one-half mile trail climbs amidst large hardwoods and pristine Hemlocks. It intersects the Forest Management Demonstration Trail just past a large rock out cropping, which has been used as a Bobcat den.

Horizons Unlimited
Trails
Hiking trails are constructed of wooden platforms in the wetland areas of the hardwood swamp. The trails are unpaved with a steep entry and exit from the swamp. The trails are not wheelchair accessible.
Health Exhibits
Horizons Unlimited houses the Learn & Live Health Museum.
Health Programs
Health Explorers

Howell Woods Environmental Learning Center
The following are trails at Howell Woods for general nature viewing, bird watching, and family day hikes. All of the trails listed are within walking distance of the Learning Center

There are numerous other, more remote roads/trails (an additional ~15 miles, some are dead ends) to explore. You may choose to walk to some of these remote trails but vehicle access to trail heads requires access through gates by a staff member. Reservations required for vehicle access to these trails. Weather conditions may limit access (rubber knee boots recommend!). There are two small picnic/rest shelters with first-aid kits located at both ends of Reedy Marsh Trail on River Loop Road.

Trail Condition Codes (Depending on weather conditions)The first code listed is the primary condition of the trail, the second/third code(s) pertains to one or more sections of the trail.

Dr = Trail surface well drained. Good access during most any weather conditions.

Dp = Trail surface maybe damp, slightly soggy/muddy depending on