Brumley Forest Nature Preserve — Attraction in Hillsborough

For the hikers and trail runners out there, rather than starting at Brumley South (off of New Hope Church Rd), where you'll be sharing with lots of nice mountain bikers, try starting at the northern entry, Brumley North, which is another trail system (3620 Old State Hwy 10, Chapel Hill - your GPS will find it -- you can't miss it). Here, you'll find only hiking trails. What follows is a route that incorporates all of the Brumley North trails, a total of 3.3 miles, requiring approximately one hour of hiking.

Snap a photo of the trail map at the trailhead and get going on the Stony Creek Bluff Trail, your only choice at this point. Once you cross the bridge at the creek, bear right onto Dairy Farm Trail (rather than going straight on Dairy Farm Trail), another right onto Cedar Grove Trail, then a right onto A-Train Trail. That will bring you back to Cedar Grove Trail -- take a right and another right onto Dairy Farm Trail. Follow that around until you come back to Stony Creek Bluff Trail at the bridge you originally crossed. You could follow this back to the parking lot to add a bit more distance, but I just took the Cemetery Connector, which abbreviates the Stony Creek Bluff Trail.

The trails are generally flat, curving through a pine forest. You'll also see some ponds, pretty fields, and experience a few mild hills and more dense forest. It's easy hiking. Parts of the Dairy Farm Trail can be muddy -- the red clay doesn't dry out quickly, so be ready to get some muddy red...

If you enjoy nature trails, you will be thrilled upon visiting the various loops here! Note: I recommend you take a picture of the map located at Parking. Anyway, I explored Wood Duck Way, Walnut Grove, Flat Tail, Grand Oak Loop and just a scratch of Springhouse. My favorite was Flat Trail in addition to the first half of Wood Duck (assuming you begin counterclockwise from parking off New Hope Church Rd.). My least favorite was Grand Oak (see video in which I’m making my way through a ton of tall plants). Anyway, my preferred trails offer great scenery: bird houses, a pond, multiple bridges, picnic tables, a multitude of vibrantly colored flying species (birds, butterflies, insects) and overall a ton of green life! Things I appreciate? There are trail-loop signs that guide you as you make your way through the forest, color-coded even. There are also informative signs regarding forest life. You can also find a few benches scattered throughout your walk (or cycle; majority were cycling) incase you need to take a break. Ha! One last note? I was disappointed to have found a couple portable potties- locked. I look forward to returning (likely on bike) to take on the...

Visiting from out of town and rode this trail 3 times in 2 days (CW, CW & CCW). I think this would be an excellent trail for bringing kids just starting out. Very flat. Smooth too. Some of the rock gardens were pretty decent but those and other features felt too few and oddly spaced to me. Third day I rode Carolina Forest North and that was a much more fun and interesting ride. Two way traffic throughout Brumley means you can't really open up as you will frequently encounter riders traveling opposite your direction.

If you are visiting from out of town and brought your bike, I'd skip this one and hit CFN (CNF?) instead or find someone to show you trails in the Duke Forest. My experience at Brumley did not match most of the ratings I read here before checking it out. I was honestly a little bored and I don't think I've ever felt that way on a mountain bike.

If you are a parent looking to introduce your kid to an awesome outdoor activity I would highly recommend this trail as a...