Atlantic & Yadkin Greenway Trail - Greensboro, NC
“Nothing is impossible. The word itself says “I’m Possible!” - Audrey Hepburn
“A goal should scare you a little and excite you a lot.” - Joe Vitale
The Story -
On New Year’s Day, Ginger, Sophie, and I joined Brooke Wilson from the Greensboro Park and Recreation Department and twenty other local residents for an easy four-mile hike on the Atlantic & Yadkin Greenway beginning in Summerfield on the northwest edge of Greensboro, NC. The North Carolina General Assembly designated 2023 as the Year of the Trail in North Carolina and Sunday’s hike was one of the many organized hikes across the state as part of a First Day Outdoors promotion to start the campaign.
North Carolina Year of the Trail 2023 - Great Trails State
In designating 2023 as the Year of the Trail, the North Carolina General Assembly wants to highlight and celebrate North Carolina’s vast network of trails and greenways which showcase the state’s diverse landscapes – grand mountain vistas, quiet rivers, vibrant urban greenways, coastal forests, and the rolling hills of the Piedmont. It is the largest statewide celebration of trails and outdoor recreation in North Carolina history.
The NC Year of the Trail campaign plans to reach communities with the message of how, when, and where to experience trails that showcase North Carolina’s beautiful landscapes, provide healthy recreation, and stimulate local economies. Click the link above to learn more about The Year of the Trail in NC and for information on future events in your area and around the state.
Atlantic & Yadkin Greenway Trail -
Known as a rail trail, The Atlantic & Yadkin Greenway Trail is a former railroad bed once used to transport granite and other materials from Mount Airy to Wilmington, NC. Rail trails are typically constructed after a railway has been abandoned and the track has been removed. The City of Greensboro removed the last of the track as recently as 2018. The almost eight-mile paved A&Y Greenway Trail is open to bicyclists and pedestrians, stretching from Old Summerfield Road in Summerfield to eventually the Tradition Cornerstone of the Greensboro Downtown Greenway at West Smith and Prescott Streets. Along the way, it passes over Lake Brandt twice, runs next to Bur-Mill Park, in and through Jaycee Park, Country Park, and the Guilford Courthouse National Military Park. Convenient access to the Trail is available at all these locations.
Spill The Tea -
The Atlantic and Yadkin Greenway passes through a variety of landscapes, including forests, Greensboro’s watersheds, wetlands, and open fields. We started at the Lake Brandt trailhead and almost immediately spotted several blue herons, ducks, egrets, and ospreys as we walked next to the watershed. Brooke mentioned several bald eagles were spotted nearby earlier in the week. We also encountered many native plants and mushrooms in the shadows of the many mixed hardwoods and pines along this abandoned railway. We took a break on the Weaver Bridge to enjoy the scenic beauty of Lake Brandt, wishing we had brought a lock to attach to the fence similar to the Pont des Arts, the love lock bridge over the Seine River in Paris. (FYI - The City of Greensboro cuts off the locks from time to time and putting a lock on the bridge goes against the hiker motto of “leave no trace.”)
Once we reached the far edge of Bur-Mill Park, we opted to leave the group and take a quick detour off the Greenway onto the short Little Loop Trail. Unlike the popular and crowded Greenway Trail, we felt like we had the Little Loop Trail all to ourselves. In addition to the Little Loop Trail, there are several other connector trails you can take to extend your hike and escape the crowds, including the Big Loop Trail, Piedmont Trail, Nat Greene Trail, Palmetto Trail, and the Owl’s Roost Trail.
Wrap It Up -
Overall, the Atlantic and Yadkin Greenway is a fantastic resource for outdoor enthusiasts in Greensboro and the surrounding area. Whether you are looking for a place to walk, hike, bike, or simply enjoy nature, this trail and it’s easy access to its many connector trails, has something for everyone. So why not grab your hiking boots, hop on your bike, or lace up your running shoes and hit the trail? You'll be glad you did!
Sassafras and Skinks