Nat Greene Trail, Atlantic & Yadkin Greenway — Attraction in Greensboro

Google recommend this place as a good spot to run. When I arrived, a doe was grazing near the parking lot and I was awed that when I got out of my car, she simply ignored me. Before beginning my run, I headed to the porta-potty. I was pleasantly surprised to discover it was clean and almost smelled nice. Then, I was ready to run. I am NOT a trail runner so I planned to do the paved path bordering the lake. I hadn't gotten far when the pathway was blocked. Against my better judgment, I took a detour and ended up on "the big loop"--a dirt trail through the woods. A short way into the forest, I stumbled causing me to twist my ankle. It wasn't too bad, so I continued running. At the one mile mark, my running app alerted me that I'd cut about 20 seconds off my road time! Impressed by myself, I began to think it was possoble for me to be a trail runner after all! Then, I noticed my music had cut off. I glanced at my phone to turn the music back on. That distraction caused me to trip over something (a rock, a vine, an imaginary snake?) and I went flying. I ended up sprawled out in the mud. My thigh, my knee, my hands and my arm (all the way around my elbow) were scratched up. I got up and told the wanna be trail runner inside me to keep going. I was able to run another half a mile before a steep incline talked me into walking. It was then, I noticed how bruised and battered I really was. I had mud all over my arms and legs and the right shoulder of my shirt was brown. There was blood running down my elbow and dripping off the tip. I wanted to get back to my car so I could try and clean up. I continued walking. Surely, I had to be getting back to the beginning of the trail sometime soon! I started to alternate between jogging and walking. I felt like Gretal would have if Hanzel hadn't been there to leave the bread crumbs. I should have thought about why it was called "the big loop". Just when I was about to start yelling for help, I remembered I was holding a pocket computer capable of guiding me like the north star lead Vespuchi. Using this newfound navigation tool, I was able to get back to the area where my car was parked. Before climbing the hill to get back in my vehicle, I took a picture of the gorgeous view at the pier, thankful that the picture would not carry the pungent odor of fish and rotting animal flesh. If I return to this place, it will be as a hiker. I will no longer be impersonating a trail runner. In all seriousness, this is a beautiful area and a great spot to get a little fresh air and exercise. Hopefully, your experience will be less...

The Nat Greene Trail is 3.6 miles in length and part of the Mountains-to-Sea Trail. I typically park at the Lake Brandt Marina lot off Lake Brandt Road as the trailhead is there. The trail intersects the Wild Turkey Mountain Bike Trail at three spots and also the Atlantic & Yadkin Greenway near Bur-Mil Park. I usually walk 2.8 miles on it to the Greenway and then loop back up on the Wild Turkey Mountain Trail (4.5 miles) to the aforementioned parking lot.

The trail is mostly shaded, has a LOT of roots, a deceiving amount of up and down, a few bridges, and several side trails that let you get close to Lake Brandt. It is mostly sand and labeled with white circle blazes. I would consider this a moderate trail for most. It is well maintained with constant sawing and removal of fallen trees across the trail as evident of the amount of sawdust I saw today. It's completely clear as of 6-6-21.

One of my favorite trails on the northern part...

This was a good 3 Miles walk today ☺️ I am a Greenway junkie 🤪 I love nature and the scenic views of Gods creation so I try bouncing around and finding new locations to walk. I walked a different side of this Greenway years ago so I decided to try a different part. And I dont like steep hills it's bad on my knees and my lungs lol 😆 but ONE DAY I will jog these Greenways and be able to handle more but right now I look for the shaded flat areas to walk and this is a great walk for that very reason! Also it has a bike pump for bikers!...