On more than one occasion, I have recently been asked the question, "so where's a good spot to run in Raleigh?" (school started back recently and there are a bunch of new students). So, for the next bit, I thought it might be a nice idea to highlight some good running/biking/swimming spots in the triangle-area.
Umstead State Park is a great place to train, and probably one of the most popular running/biking spots in the triangle area. The "main trail" (labeled the Reedy Creek Trail on the map) is a great surface to run/bike on, and features some fairly long hills. Gate-to-gate is just shy of 5 miles, and there are two water fountains located on / in close proximity to the trail (they just put a "new" water fountain where S. Turkey Creek intersects the Reedy Creek Trail). If you really want hills, try the N. Turkey Creek Trail. I also recommend the Loblolly Trail if you're interested in running single track.
As for getting to Umstead, you can park at the Art Museum and run ~2.25 miles into the park down Reedy Creek Rd (it's a nice downhill to the park, and a not so nice uphill back). Alternatively, you could take the Harrison Ave Exit (#287) off of I-40... turning one direction will dead-end you into the parking lot by the Reedy Creek Entrance, or you could turn the other and park along Old Reedy Creek Rd. off of Weston Blvd. (and run into Umstead). There's also an entrance off of US-70. Personally, I'm a fan of the Old Reedy Creek route, as it stays fairly flat for 3ish miles (basically, to the crest of the hill just past the water fountain). Also, Lake Crabtree is close by, and there's a nice greenway there. #20
No comments:
Post a Comment