Hiking Project Logo
Climb
MTB
Hike
Trailrun
Ski

Sowell Trail

Easy/Intermediate Easy/Intermediate
 4.5 (4)
  1. Areas
  2. NC
  3. …Raleigh - Durham Metro Area
  4. Horton Grove Nature Preserve
Explore in 3D
Use onX Backcountry to explore the terrain in 3D, view recent satellite imagery, and more. Now available in onX Backcountry Mobile apps! For more information see this post.
Previous Next

“A trail through pines and mature hardwoods with a loop around a beautiful pond. ”

Matthew Rutledge
Your Rating: Rating Rating Rating Rating Rating      Clear Rating
Your Difficulty:
Your Favorites: Add To-Do · Your List

0.8

Miles

1.2

KM

Point to Point

346' 106 m

High

296' 90 m

Low

55' 17 m

Up

20' 6 m

Down

2%

Avg Grade (1°)

4%

Max Grade (2°)

Dogs Leashed

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

The trail is open from dawn to dusk, 365 days a year.

Description

Park at the Great Barn at Historic Stagville and take a hike through the pines to a small 1.5 acre pond hidden in the trees. The trail loops up and around the pond through a mature hardwood forest before following an old farm road from the former Stagville Plantation. See the connection between the past and present by hiking the Sowell Trail and touring Historic Stagville!

Contacts

Local Club: Triangle Land Conservancy

Aug 25, 2026: Ava’s PINES Intern Experience

Aug 25, 2026: An ode to Melody and the avians she adored

Aug 14, 2026: Tracking Species Movement with Motus

Land Manager: TLC - Horton Grove Nature Preserve

Shared By:

Matthew Rutledge
Full Details

Trail Ratings

  4.5 from 4 votes

#5

in Horton Grove Nature Preserve

#8689

Overall
  4.5 from 4 votes
5 Star
75%
4 Star
0%
3 Star
25%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
0%
Trail Rankings

#5

in Horton Grove Nature Pr…

#295

in North Carolina

#8,689

Overall
6 Views Last Month
278 Since Dec 21, 2015
Easy/Intermediate Easy/Intermediate
60%
0%
40%
0%
0%
0%
Add a Photo

Photos

Sowell Trail
Oct 3, 2020 near Butner, NC
The pond along the Sowell Trail in January 2015
Jan 5, 2016 near Butner, NC
Pond along the loop on Sowell Trail.
Nov 28, 2020 near Butner, NC
View of the pond from Sowell Trail.
Dec 30, 2015 near Butner, NC
Pond at Horton Grove.
Dec 30, 2015 near Butner, NC

0 Comments

Weather

Current Trail Conditions

Unknown
Add Your Check-In

Check-Ins

none

Nearby Recommended Routes

Welcome

Join the Community! It's FREE

Already have an account? Login to close this notice.

Get Started