Attractions

Hiking & Trails

Ayr Mount and Poet’s Walk

376 St. Mary's Rd
Hillsborough, NC 27278

phone (919) 732-6886

Open for guided tours (Mar. 21 to Dec. 20) Wed.-Sat., 11am; Thu.-Sun., 2pm; other times by appointment.

One of North Carolina’s finest Federal-era plantation homes (c. 1815), built by William Kirkland of Ayr, Scotland. Carefully restored and exquisitely furnished with period antiques (Duncan Phyfe and Charles Honore Lannuier), portraits by Ezra Ames and James Wollaston, Chinese export porcelain, Waterford crystal and many original family pieces. Occupied by four generations of the family until 1985. Owned by Classical American Homes Preservation Trust. A National Trust Partner Place. $10 per person. Group rates available. Free parking.

• Poet’s Walk: Open daily (year-round), 9am-5pm (till 6pm, Mar, Apr, Sep & Oct; till 7pm, May & Aug; till 8pm Jun & Jul). One-mile walking trail meanders through woodlands and pastures along the banks of the Eno River, with views of the Kirkland family cemetery, the old tavern foundation and the Indian trading path. Picnic tables under hardwood and pine trees. Dogs allowed, but must be on leashes. Trail is free and open daily year round.

Historic Occoneechee Speedway Trail

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320 Elizabeth Brady Rd (at US Highway 70 and NC Highway 86)
Hillsborough, NC 27278

Directions

phone (919) 732-6886

Open daily, 8am-5pm (Jan.-Feb. & Nov.-Dec.); 8am-6pm (Mar. & Oct.); 7am-7pm (Apr.-Sep.).

Free four-mile trail around this 44-acre site— listed on the National Register of Historic Places—where Native-Americans and later settlers hunted and farmed, Gen. Julian S. Carr trained his horses, and the original NASCAR stock-car racers tested their driving skills from 1948-1968 around a one-mile oval track (shown in photo).

Johnston Mill Nature Preserve

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Mount Sinai Rd (off NC Highway 86)
Chapel Hill, NC 27514

Directions

phone (919) 833-3662

Open daily, dawn to dusk.

Located 1.1 miles east of NC Highway 86, with a parking area on the right just before New Hope Creek. Three miles of intimate hiking trails traverse this 296-acre sanctuary. Explore mature forests, discover historic mill sites and splash in bubbling creeks. Enjoy the wonders of nature just minutes from downtown Chapel Hill.

Morgan Creek

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Off South Columbia St
Chapel Hill, NC

Directions

(919) 968-2784

Open dawn to dusk.

Starts at US Highway 15-501 and runs west to Smith Level Rd. The trail runs through Southern Village and links with a trail in neighboring Carrboro.

North Carolina Botanical Garden

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100 Old Mason Farm Rd (off US Highway 15-501)
Chapel Hill, NC 27599-3375

Directions

phone (919) 962-0522

Open year-round Mon.-Fri., 8am-5pm; Sat., 9am-5pm; Sun., 1-5pm; and Apr.-Oct., one hour later on weekends.

The largest natural botanical garden in the southeast, consisting of nearly 800 acres of preserved land with nature trails, carnivorous plant collections, aquatics and herb gardens. Also offers revolving exhibits of paintings, quilts and other media, plus sculpture in various sections of the botanical collection. Free guided tours of the display gardens every Sat (Mar-Nov), 10am. Parking. In October 2009, the garden opened the new 29,000 square foot “green” Education Center which includes an auditorium, classrooms and gift shop with outdoor patio space and native plant landscaping. Ask about guided tours of the Education Center.

Occoneechee Mountain State Natural Area

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Virginia Cates Rd (off Orange Grove Rd)
Hillsborough, NC

Directions

(919) 383-1686

Open May-Aug, 8am-9pm; Mar, Apr, Sep, Oct, 8am-8pm; Nov-Feb, 8am-6pm; closed Christmas Day.

Features 190 acres of natural beauty, three miles of trails and a couple of ponds for fishing. Overlooking the Eno River, the mountain has an elevation of 867 ft., which is the highest point in Orange County. Parking. Pets allowed on leashes. Picnicking.

Upper Bolin Creek

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Off East Franklin St
Chapel Hill, NC

Directions

(919) 968-2784

Open dawn to dusk.

Starts at the Chapel Hill Community Center off South Estes Dr and runs west for 1.5 miles to Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd, formerly Airport Rd. A extension runs about a mile further, connecting with a trail in neighboring Carrboro.

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Did You Know?

The highest point in Orange County is the Occoneechee Mountain State Natural Area at 867 feet in Hillsborough. It is part of the Eno River State Park in two counties.