The Underwood, Island, and Haw River Trails at Great Bend Park in Historic Glencoe Mill Village - Burlington, NC

North Carolina

Jan 15

“What we once enjoyed and deeply loved we can never lose, for all that we love deeply becomes part of us.” - Helen Keller

“Spread love wherever you go. Let no one ever come to you without leaving happier.” - Mother Teresa

The Story -

On a sunny and crisp Saturday afternoon, Ginger, Natalie, Sophie, and I hiked a leisurely four miles on a combination of trails at Great Bend Park in the Historic Glencoe Mill Village north of Burlington, North Carolina. Recently ranked as the most underrated trails in the Triad by Piedmont Legacy Trails, the Great Bend Park Trails were a wonderful surprise and well worth the thirty-minute drive to the park located northeast of Greensboro.

Great Bend Park -

The Great Bend Park has 30 beautifully wooded acres along the Haw River with almost a mile of river frontage which offers spectacular views from the hiking trails and designated fishing areas. There is also access to the 5-acre island with picnic areas available. The sights on the trails at Great Bend Park are truly stunning, but it’s the relaxing sounds of the river pouring over the system of historic dams that make it truly special. For those who are looking for a longer hike, this area also connects to both the Haw River Trail, a planned 70-mile trail along the Haw River, and the Mountains-to-Sea Trail, North Carolina’s long-distance statewide trail.

Glencoe Mill Village -

Glencoe Mill Village is one of the best-preserved mill village complexes in North Carolina. The Glencoe Cotton Mill was established in the late 1800s by the Holt family in an area previously home to a gristmill and sawmill. It’s a pleasant walk through town on lazy streets dotted with interpretive historical markers and many items of special interest. If you are passing through on Tuesdays through Saturdays, make time to visit the Textile Heritage Museum, currently the only museum in North Carolina solely dedicated to the preservation of the early textile industry of the Old North State. It showcases life in the mill towns that thrived along the Haw River for more than a hundred years.

Spill The Tea -

We left the parking area and followed signs for the Haw River Trail/Mountains-to-Sea Trail which took us to the Highland Trail trailhead. The easy, almost mile-long, and narrow Highland Loop Trail doesn't offer any notable views, yet is a serene and gentle walk in the dense woods. We crossed over several wooden footbridges and navigated some slight elevation changes before coming to the connector Island Trail. The Island Trail takes you up to a massive rock wall overlooking the impressive Glencoe Mill Dam. After spending some time admiring the Dam, we continued along the out-and-back Island Trail for some rock-hopping and many gorgeous riverfront views on both sides of the trail.

Add Some Cream and Sugar -

Since the Underwood and Island Trails were relatively short, we decided to continue our day by taking the short walk from Great Bend Park to the Glencoe Mill Village, an old mill village that looks much the same as it did in the late 1800s when it was thriving. After exploring the Textile Museum, the old mill, and the perfectly preserved houses lining the street, we stopped at an outdoor learning center for kids of all ages. The play area was complete with the standard playground swings and a see-saw, yet also included a mud play area, giant spool loom, a gathering circle of wood stumps, a crawling tunnel, a working hand-pumped water flume, a music chamber, a rope spider web, a wood beaver’s lodge, and a large bird nest made of tree limbs and branches woven in and out of wooden posts. Other natural materials have been repurposed for the play area as well, including large rocks and logs for decoration, and an old stump-turned-throne for playtime. It was very impressive and definitely the highlight of our day.

Wrap It Up -

The Great Bend Park Trails at Glencoe Mill Village are hidden gems that offer visitors a chance to reconnect with nature, experience the beauty of the natural world, and take a step back in time. Combine the trails with a walk through the Historic Glencoe Mill Village for a special day to remember.

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