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This loop combines the varied terrain of several trails to make a great longer hike.


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Map Key

6.0

Miles

9.6

KM

Loop

440' 134 m

High

289' 88 m

Low

299' 91 m

Up

299' 91 m

Down

2%

Avg Grade (1°)

12%

Max Grade (7°)

Dogs Leashed

Features Birding · Fall Colors · River/Creek · Wildflowers · Wildlife

Horton Grove is open from dawn to dusk, 365 days a year.

Overview

This is a broad tour of the Horton Grove Nature Preserve. You'll be visiting Loblolly pine forest, mixed hardwood forest, and prairie.

Description

Start off on the Jordan Trail by heading behind the old barn and looking for the empty information booth. The trail here is relatively faint but is marked by green trail markers. Continue for .7 miles through Loblolly pine and some open terrain, until you find the Walker Trail. It is well marked with a carved sign.

Turn right onto the Walker Trail, and go a mile until you find another turn off for the Peaks Loop. Turn right and continue half a mile to where you cut right toward the parking lot. When you hit the road, continue left for 100' or so until you are in the parking lot, and you can start the Holman Loop. This goes through the prairie and has lots of educational signs. Go .6 miles on until you hit Hart Trail and stay right.

Once you complete the .5 miles of Hart Trail, you'll turn right onto the Justice Loop. After .8 miles, you'll be back at the gravel road. Turn left and look to your right for the Walker Trail. In a little over a mile, you'll be back at the intersection for the Jordan Trail. Go right and you'll be back at the beginning.

The Cliff Notes version: Always turn right when you're at a trail junction. Always turn left when you hit a road and look right for the trail. The trails are all well shaded, and you'll enjoy some great scenery along the way.

Flora & Fauna

Be on the lookout for birds in and around the meadow, including northern bobwhite quail and American woodcock. Pileated woodpeckers can be seen, or more commonly heard, in the mature hardwood forests. Numerous other animals call Horton Grove home, including white-tailed deer, turkey, coyotes, rabbits and according to local rumor, a black panther! Flowers in the meadow bloom throughout the year, while the forests are host to rare species, including American snowbell, black cohosh, and sweet pinesap.

Contacts

Shared By:

Russell Hobart

Trail Ratings

  4.5 from 10 votes

#2268

Overall
  4.5 from 10 votes
5 Star
60%
4 Star
30%
3 Star
10%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
0%
Recommended Route Rankings

#2,268

Overall
24 Views Last Month
2,574 Since Sep 7, 2016
Intermediate Intermediate

13%
13%
63%
13%
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Photos

Photographing the grassland along the Holman Loop as part of REI's Introduction to Nature Photography class.
Jan 5, 2016 near Butner, NC
The Wildlife Viewing Platform is a great place to make a sketch, view birds, or enjoy lunch.
Jan 5, 2016 near Butner, NC
Beautiful ferns along this trail.
Jul 22, 2020 near Butner, NC
Lovely walk relatively flat. Even in 95 degree heat the canopy made it at least 10 degrees cooler.
Jul 22, 2020 near Butner, NC
The cedar bridges, handcrafted from local cedar by TLC staff, are great to have around Horton Grove Nature Preserve, especially when it's been raining.
Jan 5, 2016 near Butner, NC
Sowell Trail
Oct 3, 2020 near Butner, NC
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