looking for a good run route for a 15-16 miler, will be in chapel hil, nc next week. any good trail running/soft surfaces in the area? thanks for the info!
lots of good routes…
check out
http://www.runnersworld.com/article/0,5033,s6-188-193-0-1322,00.html
I can recommend the Umstead park runs, nice shady trails.
Google “Estes Park” apartments in Chapel Hill – there is a trail by the railroad tracks (right across from this apartmnet complex) on Estes Road that links to the “Chapel Hill High Trails” and goes on for miles and miles. Warning: so many trails it’s easy to get lost – take a GPS if you have it, or just do a simple out-back!
You could also check out Duke Forest in the Durham area – very nice loop but only a few miles long.
Here’s a map to Estes Park Apt.s (actually in Carrboro, NC, sister city of Chapel Hill):
You can park your car at Wilson Park in Carrboro, which is shown on the map. Notice the large gray area devoid of roads… that’s all TRAIL!
if it is hot here next week as it was this week good luck surviving a 16 mile run. I just moved to chapel hill and between the extreme heat, high humidity, and tons of rolling hills my runs have consisted for the most part to track work and an occasional outside run when I feel a little nutz. I hope I adjust to this place soon. I have been using the USATF.com website for running paths, so far it has been pretty good but most of the better running routes are not in chapel hill but in durham instead so I would check that out instead.
but then again I still do not know my way around this place so someone else may be provide some better ideas.
Google “Estes Park” apartments in Chapel Hill – there is a trail by the railroad tracks (right across from this apartmnet complex) on Estes Road that links to the “Chapel Hill High Trails” and goes on for miles and miles. Warning: so many trails it’s easy to get lost – take a GPS if you have it, or just do a simple out-back!
You could also check out Duke Forest in the Durham area – very nice loop but only a few miles long.
Here’s a map to Estes Park Apt.s (actually in Carrboro, NC, sister city of Chapel Hill):
You can park your car at Wilson Park in Carrboro, which is shown on the map. Notice the large gray area devoid of roads… that’s all TRAIL!
Estes Park was the site of my first apartment after college. They would keep cleaning the sign and a week later there would be a “T” spray painted in front.
Although not in Chapel Hill per se, the American Tobacco Trail is nearby. You can pick it up just south of South Point Mall off I-40. It follows an old railroad bed for about 15 miles to the south and is a well-graded, fine-gravel surface. Maps:
http://www.triangletrails.org/ATT.HTM
David