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Eno River and Falls Lake: Eno River State Park to Falls Lake Dam


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Map Key

78.5

Miles

126.3

KM

Point to Point

466' 142 m

High

222' 68 m

Low

2,570' 783 m

Up

2,749' 838 m

Down

1%

Avg Grade (1°)

17%

Max Grade (9°)

Dogs Leashed

Features Lake · River/Creek · Swimming

Section Of

Description

The trail starts in Orange County, following the Eno downstream in Eno River State Park to soon enter Durham County, where it goes through the history-laden West Point on the Eno Park. Approximately 10 miles later, it traverses Penny's Bend Nature Preserve, where a geological oddity causes the river to form a U-shaped bend, unusual for this area. Soon the Eno disappears as it flows into the vastness of Falls Lake. The MST now hugs the southern shore of this man-made reservoir as it winds its way in and out of coves and small creeks to end by the dam on the outskirts of Raleigh. The fact that this 77-mile footpath exists is due to a combination of serendipity and hard work: serendipity because of the creation of several large parcels of adjoining public lands, rare in North Carolina east of the mountains, and hard work due to all the Triangle-area trail enthusiasts who've made this footpath a reality.

The trail is well-marked with the MST blaze, a 3" white circle. Where the MST runs concurrent with other trails, mostly in Eno River State Park, there are multiple colored markings.

For more information, including camping, lodging, parking, shuttles, and resupply information, as well as detailed, turn-by-turn directions, download a trail guide from the Friends of the Mountains-to-Sea Trail.

Contacts

Shared By:

Jim Grode with improvements by Jon Ziefle

Trail Ratings

  4.0 from 13 votes

#8038

Overall
  4.0 from 13 votes
5 Star
31%
4 Star
38%
3 Star
31%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
0%
Trail Rankings

#271

in North Carolina

#8,038

Overall
20 Views Last Month
12,727 Since Apr 5, 2016
Intermediate Intermediate

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Photos

Beautiful stream flowing  into the Eno River.
Aug 10, 2020 near Hillsbo…, NC
Refreshing creek
Aug 19, 2020 near Hillsbo…, NC
Peaceful stream
Oct 30, 2020 near Hillsbo…, NC
The MST is well-marked - lots of round white blazes, even on rocks along the trail!
Dec 25, 2021 near Gorman, NC
Taking advantage of the late summer
Sep 10, 2017 near Hillsbo…, NC
Durham Pump Station ruins in Eno River State Park.
Mar 13, 2016 near Durham, NC

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Check-Ins

Jan 1, 2024
Michael Sander
Jun 6, 2022
Tyler Wilkin
11mi
Apr 2, 2022
Conner Walsh
walking section starting at Laurel bluff trail. 4.7mi
Mar 19, 2022
Michael Sander
Mar 13, 2022
Miguel S
3.2mi — 1h 45m
Mar 6, 2022
Michael Sander
Dec 12, 2021
Michael Sander
Aug 1, 2021
Joy Yang
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