There is a large web of greenways and trails in Raleigh and Cary. These trails are very popular with runners, walkers and bikers. The most i have used it is to occasionally walk the dog over at Shelley Lake. It’s two miles around, and is part of the greenway system, but we’ve done that walk a dozen times. I have wondered about the paths that branch away from the Shelley Lake trail, but never explored them.
Well, now we will! On our Raleigh Adventure Walks. The plan is to explore as much of the system as possible, in bits and pieces. For example, over the weekend, we started at Shelley Lake and took The Other Path, down under the Millbrook bridge, south. 25 min of walking got us to North Hills Dr, where we turned and walked back. The next day, we drove to spot we turned around the day before, where the greenway intersects North Hills. There, we continued walking, and got to Crabtree Mall before turning back. Next, of course, we’ll start at the mall and keep going.
We’ll keep this up as long as it holds our interest or doesn’t get too inconvenient. When it does, there’s always another trail to explore, and there are lots of parks in the Raleigh area as well.
OK so it’s a bit tame to be labeled as an “adventure” i guess, but i’m excited about it. The dog certainly likes it. And walking is pretty good exercise.
September 22nd, 2008 7:18 pm
I think that this is a great idea! We have a tiny section of greenway in our neighborhood that will eventually be connected to the system (like many other fragments). I look forward to when it will be connected to area parks!
September 22nd, 2008 7:56 pm
It’s 5 miles from the entrance at Shelly Lake to the end of the trail past Crabtree. The entrance being the area when you walk down from the parking lot where the bench is on the right, the bathrooms are in sight, and the wooden bridge ends. From there to the red light past the McDonald’s behind Crabtree is 3 miles. Eventually the trail ends if you continue it. Take a right at the entrance, go under Millbrook bridge, and go basically straight, crossing over Lead Mine, and keep going.
Well, there is one catch. You’ll come to a bridge on your right that you can actually cross and isn’t broken down after a mile or so. Or you can go straight. If you go straight and end up on a road, that’s not good. Go back over the bridge and take a left instead of going into a parking lot.
Now you know how to get 10-12 for your next half-marathon.
And if you go on a Saturday morning when TNT and/or the Galloway people are out, it’s harder to get lost. Just follow the people and the coolers/rest stops.