William B. Umstead State Park in Raleigh, NC is a jewel in the city. The park has 34.5 miles of hiking trails, 13 miles of biking and horseback riding trails, and is over 5000 acres large. It is located in the Research Triangle Area just south of Raleigh International Airport. The park borders Raleigh on the east and the town of Cary on the west.
Sal’s Branch Trail
Starting at the Visitor’s Center on the east side of the park, is the 2.8 mile Sal’s Branch Loop Trail. The first part of the trail consists of a noticeable amount of rock.
The trail is heavily shaded with hardwood trees. In fact, the entire park is shaded which makes for a pleasant temperature drop compared to the surrounding cities. Eventually the trail opens up and leads to Big Lake, also known as Umstead Park Lake.
The lake area has docks for canoes and kayaks. There is also a nice seating area and a few picnic tables under the shelter near the docks.
Heading back towards the Visitor’s Center, the trail becomes very wooded again. This part of the trail is notably less rocky and flatter. The trail is easy with barely 190 feet in elevation gain.
Company Mill Trail
The Company Mill Trail is accessed on the west side of the park in Cary. The trail is a 5.8 mile loop considered to be moderately difficult with an elevation gain of around 600 feet.
The trail follows Crabtree Creek near the Millstone site. The old wheel mill is just across the bridge. The loop begins here and soon crosses the Reedy Creek Trail before turning back along Sycamore Creek. Here you can access the Company Mill Spur Trail which connects to the Graylyn Trail.
Graylyn Trail
The Graylyn Trail is a 1.6 mile one way multi-use trail. The trail is popular with bikers as it connects with the longer Reedy Creek Trail (3.7 miles), also a one way trail. Graylyn is one of the most recognizable trails in the park due to the Log Art carvings.
Along the way there is a rustic abandoned cabin in the woods.
The trail is mostly flat, perfect for bikes, and wide.
Not far into the trail are the log art carvings. A fallen red oak tree about 25 feet long was carved by chainsaw into a beautiful piece of art. The artists, Jerry Redi and Randy Boni of Smoky Mountain Art, carved the piece into what is now one of the most recognizable points of interest in the park.
Apparently, the pair of artists spent a week carving out the entire fallen tree. The level of detail in the work is best seen in person. The hike is well worth it just to gaze at the art in the woods.
Sycamore Bridge
At the intersection of Sycamore Trail and Graylyn is the Sycamore Bridge. Also one of the most recognizable spots in the park. The beautiful stone bridge provides visitors a way to cross the Sycamore Creek.
Sycamore Trail
The Sycamore Trail is a 7.2 mile loop for hiking only. The trail follows Sycamore Creek for a good bit of the loop and originates at the Big Lake parking area. The trail intersects with the North Turkey Creek multi use trail on the east side of the park.
William B. Umstead State Park is one of the best parks you will find in a metro area. With miles and miles of trails, it is an urban oasis of nature.
For more great trails in the Raleigh metro area, check out our post Falls Lake and the Mountains to Sea Trail.