Greater Fayetteville Offers Beautiful Places to Stretch Your Legs and Maximize Your Run
Photos for promotional purposes
Cumberland County, NC - Whether you are preparing for your first 5K or for a marathon, Cumberland County has plenty of places to train. With 25 runs each spring that challenge all types of athletes, the community is becoming a running destination. Consider one of these 5 locations for your next outing:
1. The Cape Fear River Trail is a 10-foot-wide paved path that winds 5.3 miles one way, through a beautiful blend of trees, plants and wildlife. The terrain is flat and hilly. In addition to wooden bridges, including one covered bridge, the trail boasts over 1,000 feet of boardwalk through the marsh and wetlands along the trail.
If you are taking a leisurely run, stop to read some of the interpretive signs explaining the wildlife and plant life, which includes more than 700 species of plants and trees and 150 species of birds. The Cape Fear River Trail is part of the East Coast Greenway.
Entrance: Tree Top Drive, Fayetteville, NC 28311 & 631 Sherman Drive, Fayetteville, NC 28301
2. Smith Lake Recreation Center on Fort Bragg offers multiple trails for all types of runners. The main trails are the single-track mountain bike trails that are open to runners. These trails form a 7.2-mile loop that is broken down into three sections that progressively get more difficult and hilly for the runner: beginner (green), advanced (blue), and expert (black). There is also a 5-kilometer-long nature trail, and some off-shoot trails from the mountain bike loop (red and brown). Although located on Fort Bragg, the trails are open to the general public.
Entrance: 2812 Smith Lake Road, Fort Bragg, NC 28310
3. The All-American Trail is a 10 to 15-foot-wide, unpaved pathway designed for use by hikers, runners, and bicyclists. The trail, currently 21 miles long, follows the perimeter boundary of Fort Bragg and includes a 1,000-foot boardwalk that crosses Rockfish Creek and its wetlands. The terrain is mixed with sections ranging from nearly flat to hilly. Eventually, this trail will circle Fort Bragg.
Entrance: 1623 Hobson Road, Raeford, NC 28376
4. Carvers Creek State Park, the only NC state park in Cumberland County, currently offers two scenic trails. As you enjoy the trails, you’ll experience a variety of habitats, including longleaf pine forest, warm season grass meadow, wetlands and a millpond. The millpond is currently dry as the park experienced devastating flooding during Hurricane Matthew.) The current trails are .5 and .75 miles respectively. An 11-mile trail is under development.
Carvers Creek State Park is home to Long Valley Farm, the winter estate of John Stillman Rockefeller. House tours are offered periodically throughout the month.
Entrance: 2505 Long Valley Road, Spring Lake NC 28390
5. Cross Creek Linear Park, a 2.8-mile trail, connects a series of parks and historical sights in downtown Fayetteville. This greenway stretches from Festival Park in downtown Fayetteville to the Riverside dog park off of U.S. 301. The trail runs adjacent to the Cross Creek and connects multiple points of interest in the city.
Entrance: Festival Park at the corner of Ray Avenue and Rowan Street or Riverside Dog Park at 555 N. Eastern Boulevard, Fayetteville, NC 28301.
For information on visiting Fayetteville, head to www.VisitFayettevilleNC.com or call us at 910-483-5311. The Fayetteville Area Convention & Visitors Bureau (FACVB) stands ready to plan the perfect visit.
ABOUT THE FACVB
The FACVB is a private, not-for-profit organization responsible for positioning Cumberland County as a destination for conventions, sporting events and individual travel. For additional information, visit www.VisitFayettevilleNC.com or call 1-888-98-HEROES.