YOUR PIEDMONT FOLIAGE GUIDE
9 PICTURE-PERFECT FALL HIKES
As the weather cools and the vibrant hues of red, orange, and gold sweep across the Piedmont,
it’s the perfect time to hit the trails. Each of the 12 counties in the region boasts its own unique spots for leaf peeping, offering everything from scenic overlooks that stretch for miles to tranquil riverside walks that invite reflection. The crisp autumn air, coupled with the rustling of leaves underfoot, creates a sensory experience that is simply irresistible.
Whether you’re out for a solo hike to find peace in nature or enjoying a lively family adventure filled with laughter and exploration, these trails promise to immerse you in the beauty of fall. They provide the perfect backdrop for slowing down, breathing deep, and taking in nature’s stunning seasonal show. Along the way, you might spot wildlife preparing for winter or discover hidden gems like vibrant wildflowers that linger into the cooler months.
Don’t forget your camera—these moments are worth capturing! From Instagram-worthy vistas to serene paths winding through the woods, the Piedmont’s autumn landscape is a photographer’s dream. You never have to go far to find a great trail in North Carolina. The Piedmont is packed full of wonderful trails that will give you the chance to connect with nature, create lasting memories, and experience the magic of fall like never before.
So lace up your hiking boots, grab your loved ones, and get ready to discover the stunning fall hikes waiting for you in the heart of the Piedmont! Be sure to tag @piedmontlegacytrails and use #greattrailsstate to share your adventures with us!
1.Carter Falls via Grassy Creek Vineyard Trail | Surry County
Grassy Creek Vineyard tasting room 235 Chatham Cottage Ln, State Road, NC 28676
If hiking a trail to a waterfall, then sipping on a glass of wine afterwards sounds like a dream, then we are here to make your dreams come true! This trail packs it all in, so plan your hike accordingly and check Grassy Creek Winery for open hours. The trailhead parking lot remains open to hikers.
Grassy Creek Trail is part of Segment 6 of the Mountains-to-Sea Trail. NC’s first ‘Forest Bathing’ Trail is the newest addition on Grassy Creek property by the Elkin Valley Trails Association.
Ready to see it all? If you begin by parking at the Grassy Creek Vineyard, enter the trail from the parking lot and follow the signage 0.5 miles to the dam mural. Return the way you came, then follow the signage to Carter Falls. You will cross a few roads and pass through the Byrds Branch Campground. Eventually you will arrive at the Carter Falls trailhead parking lot. From here, you can choose either the powerhouse trail, or the carter falls trail. They are both 0.5 miles. Then complete the hike by returning the way you came- right back to the vineyard to enjoy some of North Carolina’s finest wines. Don’t forget to make a toast to the trails!
Check out a map before you hit the trails to decide what points you want to see along the way: For a written description of options visit Elkin Valley Trails Association.
- Accessibility: This natural surface trail has many roots and stone steps.
- Distance: up to 5.5 miles
- Type: Trail System
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Highlights: Mural, Vineyard, Forest Bathing
2. Cooks Wall Trail | Stokes County
Parking: 2847 Hanging Rock Park Road in Westfield
This trail offers sweeping views of the south and west, with Sauratown and Pilot mountains visible in the distance. Tall rock wall formations, including Devil’s Chimney, are found past the end of the trail.
The trailhead is located behind the bathhouse at the lake parking lot. Cook’s Wall and Wolf Rock trails follow the same path, past the junction with Chestnut Oak Nature Trail. The trails eventually split up at a fork, and Cook’s Wall Trail continues on the right.
Cook’s Wall is open to climbers with a permit. Hikers and climbers should be mindful of sharing the trail.
- Accessibility: The trail has a natural surface with gravel, dirt and rock. It also has uneven steps.
3. Knight Brown Nature Preserve | Rockingham County
221 Waterfield Ln. Stokesdale, NC
Knight Brown Nature Preserve hosts a scavenger hunt on the trails. 5 sculptures made by a local chainsaw artist are placed along the trails up high and down low. The fall is the perfect time to see these realistic animal sculptures. There are currently 7 trails on the preserve adding up to 5 miles of trails. Connect the trails as you go to view them all.
Knight Brown Nature Preserve trails meander through 180 acres of preserved land. The unnamed stream winds through the property creating a canyon along the Fern trail, and a horseshoe in the middle to observe the golden Beech trees. Knight Brown invites exploration and discovery of a true piedmont landscape.
- Accessibility: This natural surface trail has significant elevation change and exposed roots.
- Distance: 5 miles
- Type: Trail System
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Highlights: Sculptures, Beech Trees
4. Yadkin Memorial Park Trails | Yadkin County
Park Office: 1142 Crystal Lane, Yadkinville, NC 27055 Yadkin Memorial Park East: 2513 Ireland Rd, Yadkinville, NC 27055
Find multiple trail options at Yadkin Memorial Park! The longest, the Ashley Ladd Trail at Yadkin Memorial Park is 3 mile nature trail through the woods and along the lake shore, past the Hood-Chamberlain Dam, and into the newly developed section of the park. This wide trail weaves over streams, through laurels and holly bushes, and past carpets of ferns and eventually out into grassy fields. The trail has gentle ups and downs with places to rest at benches along the way. The park and trail continue to be expanded!
- Accessibility: Yadkin Memorial Park has a couple trail sections. One is a paved 1 mile loop near the entrance to the park. The Ashley Ladd Trail is a wide and primarily smooth natural surface trail with some small creek crossings (pictured) and a gravel section near the dam.
- Distance: 7 miles
- Type: Loop
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Highlights: Lake, Woods
5. Salem Lake Trail | Forsyth County
Salem Lake Rd Trailhead: 815 Salem Lake Road
Winston-Salem
Linville Rd Trailhead: Linville Rd SE, Winston-Salem, NC 27107
A Winston-Salem staple, the 7 mile Salem Lake Trail is a beloved trail loop just outside downtown Winston-Salem. The trail weaves around the perimeter of the lake, which is also a popular spot for fishing, paddle boarding, and kayaking. The 7-mile loop around Salem Lake provides stunning views of autumn foliage. You’ll see a blend of vibrant yellows, oranges, and reds reflecting off the lake’s calm waters reflecting the fall colors, creating picture-perfect scenes all along the trail.
The wide, well-maintained gravel path is accessible for walkers, runners, strollers, and even bicycles. With mostly flat terrain and shaded areas, it’s perfect for a leisurely stroll at your own pace, enjoying crisp autumn air.
Salem Lake Trail connects to Salem Creek Greenway which will take you to many other areas of the city.
- Accessibility: This trail is primarily a fine gravel surface, but some areas are a hard-packed smooth natural surface.
6. Atlantic & Yadkin Greenway | Guilford County
Anna Long Marshal Wayside: 4310 US-220, Summerfield, NC 27358
Bur-Mill Park: Atlantic & Yadkin Greenway, Greensboro, NC 27455
Country Park: 3905 Nathanael Green Dr, Greensboro, NC 27455
The Atlantic and Yadkin Greenway spans 7.5 miles of paved trails and serves as the gateway to 7 other natural surface watershed trails. This scenic path winds its way past historic sites such as Guilford Courthouse National Military Park, traverses the iconic Weaver Bridge overlooking Lake Brandt, and continues its journey to Bur Mill Park before culminating in Summerfield, NC. Particularly during fall, it offers a stunning opportunity to revel in the vibrant hues of the Piedmont region. The A&Y is open for a variety of recreational activities.
Along the A&Y, users can take a detour onto trails like Nat Greene Trail, Palmetto Trail, and Owl’s Roost Trail. Additionally, the greenway provides access to the Big Loop Trail and Little Loop Trail in Bur-Mil Park. The Bicentennial Greenway intersects with the A&Y at the Old Battleground and Lake Brandt road intersection via a sidewalk.
For convenient access, the northernmost part of the greenway features a trailhead parking lot just north of Strawberry Road. Bur-Mil Park also serves as an excellent entry point to the A&Y, offering amenities such as parking, information, and maps at the Frank Sharpe Wildlife Education Center. Trail users can also access the greenway and parking facilities at the Guilford Courthouse National Military parking lot on Old Battleground Road near the intersection of New Garden Road, as well as at Lewis Recreation Center and Country Park.
Future plans for the greenway include an extension of the A&Y to downtown Greensboro, where it will seamlessly connect with the Downtown Greenway, creating a continuous route from downtown Greensboro to Summerfield, NC.
- Accessibility: This trail is primarily a fine gravel surface, but some areas are a hard-packed smooth natural surface.
- Distance: 7.5 miles
- Type: Out-and-Back
- Difficulty: Easy
- Highlights: Trail Connections
7. Cedar Rock Park | Alamance County
4242 R Dean Coleman Rd, Burlington, NC 27215
If you have not hiked a trail while playing disc golf, this is the course to get you hooked! The Wellspring Disc Golf Course is a short distance throw in the woods. The course meanders over streams, up hill, downhill, and throws across valleys. A walk in the woods is always a great way to spend a day, but disc golf can bring an element of competitiveness to the trails. UDisc is an app to help you track your score, and follow the trail.
For parking, enter Cedar Rock, and pass the first parking lot and the play ground. Parking will be a medium sized lot on your left with the Wellspring entrance board. There are 3 total disc golf courses at Cedar Rock park, so once you are ready to explore more, check out the Cedarock Course, then the Regulator.
- Accessibility: This natural surface trail is on steep terrain.
8. Boones Cave Park | Davidson County
3552 Boone's Cave Road Lexington, NC 27292
Hollowed into a ridge overlooking the Yadkin River near Lexington are some caves said to be the temporary home of a young Daniel Boone and his family.
Although the caves are a popular spot at Boone’s Cave Park, there are also 7 miles of trail in this park that need exploring. Check the map to connect multiple trails to visit all the spots in the park.
You can also find super cheap campsites, a disc golf course, and a river access point to end or start your Yadkin paddling adventures. Boone’s Cave Park definitely needs to be added to your list.
- Accessibility: This trail has may wooden steps and is not ideal for acessibilty.
- Distance: 7 Miles
- Type: Trail System
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Highlights: Cave, Yadkin River
9. Caraway Creek Preserve | Randolph County
829 Jerico Rd. Asheboro, NC
On the northern edge of the Uwharrie Mountain range, hike up to 4 miles at Caraway Creek Preserve. It is truly a walk through history as you meander through an old barn and home site, and historic check dam.
A main feature of the preserve is a historic check dam, seen from the Caraway Forks Trail. This dam was likely built in the early 1900s as a method for silt-retention and flood prevention. Its large size and considerable craftsmanship are best appreciated in person. Other features of the preserve are mature forests, hikes along ravine edges, and spectacular flora and fauna, as the preserve is located near lots of other PLC protected land.
- Accessibility: The natural surface with roots, rocks, and multiple steep areas make this trail very difficult to access.
- Distance: 5 miles
- Type: Trail System
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Highlights: Historic Dam, Caraway Creek, Bluffs and Ravines, Mature Forest
Have you ever wondered where these colors come from?
The vibrant reds, oranges, and yellows of fall happen as trees prepare for winter. During the warmer months, leaves are filled with chlorophyll, the green pigment that helps plants turn sunlight into energy. As days get shorter and temperatures drop, trees produce less chlorophyll, causing the green to fade. This reveals other pigments that were in the leaves all along—like carotenoids, which create yellow and orange hues, and anthocyanins, responsible for reds and purples. The result is a spectacular show of color before the leaves fall and the trees settle in for the colder months ahead.