Occoneechee Mountain State Natural Area — Attraction in Hillsborough

7-17-21

Parking lot probably has room for 40 cars. Bathroom here (no running water) as well as fishing ponds just off the lot. There are maps available for you to take and the Occoneechee Mountain Loop can be accessed here. Moderately trafficked park.

I always do the Occoneechee Mountain Loop to the Overlook Trail (to see the overlook), and then return to the Loop to finish it.

Occoneechee Mountain Loop: This is listed as 2.2 miles but it feels a lot longer. It is a solid moderate and might be strenuous for beginner hikers. All climbs are gradual however. VERY rocky and has lots of roots throughout. Some up and down, parts with stairs, and some small bridges. You will need good shoes with the rocks and I think the uneven and rocky aspect of the trail make it difficult for some. The Eno River isn't flowing here so if you want that, go to Eno River State Park. There are three major rock formations but the rock quarry is my favorite aspect of this trail. Basically you are standing in between cliffs. Signs warning about climbing these are here. The canopy is higher (no webs) and the forest is thin so you can see quite a bit around you. Some parts are completely open (no shade).

Overlook Trail: Similar to the Loop with rocks and roots but very short at .15 miles. Completely shaded until the actual overlook (hence the name). Very rocky ledge type summit area with wooden fencing and appropriate safety signs. Views of the Eno River and parts of Hillsborough. Not the best overlook in a NC State Park but some may find it excellent.

This isn't my favorite NC State Park but the rock quarry gives things that extra...

Occoneechee Mountain State Natural Area is small park in Hillsborough that operates as a satellite of Eno River State Park. Although hardly a mountain, at 867 feet above sea level, Occoneechee is the highest point in the Triangle. And hiking the short trails around the park, you may forget that you're in the Piedmont. The Occoneechee Mountain Loop Trail makes a full loop around the park in less than 2.5 miles. But there's plenty to see in that short distance. From the parking lot, the trail runs around the mountain and follows the Eno River for a ways before coming to an old quarry, dating from the 19th century. The cliffs above the quarry have an overlook just a bit further up the trail. From the quarry continue on a bit further and follow the Overlook Trail to the overlook. From here you have surprisingly nice views to the north and west. The town of Hillsborough can be seen to the north and the Eno River winding its way through Orange County to the northwest. The views are particularly nice during fall foliage. The Overlook Trail terminates at the Summit Trail. Turning right goes up to the summit. It's not on park property and there's nothing exciting here - no views, just a radio antenna and old fire tower. Turning left, the Summit Trail leads back to the...

This was a pretty cool trail. First impressions were this why is this a moderate rating?!? It starts off with nice flowy trails, slight inclines and just a nice walk in the woods. That was the Chestnut Oak trail --just a pleasant walking spot. The the other connecting trails are where the moderate rating comes. The Occoneechee Mountain loop was pretty cool, better inclines and a bit more strenuous. Literally, all the trail systems were pretty rocky, though well defined and nicely maintained.

It had rained hard for two days prior to my walk and the trails were as dry as can be, they have a great run off so it wasn't muddy at all.

If you're looking for more adventure, there is some fun scrambling around the over-watch. There are many 'strong' warning about doing so, but if have any scrambling experience, they aren't that challenging. It's predominantly made up of shale so it's not all that stable, and the granite is extremely slick --I may or may not have attempted it :) That was clearly the highlight of the walk, and pretty much why I went. Overall nice trail system. Easy parking, outhouses at the trail head, and...