Where Are The Best Running Trails In Town?

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Running is a sport or exercise anyone can participate in at their own pace, going the distance that is best for them at a convenient time. It is an exercise that benefits your heart, lungs, and major muscle groups and is a stress reliever that clears your mind and allows you to think more critically and creatively. It is affordable, requiring only shorts, a T-shirt, and running shoes, and it takes you to new places or places you have yet to notice.

According to The Twin City Track Club, Winston-Salem has been designated as a “Runner Friendly Community” by Road Runners Clubs of America. Winston-Salem has many great running trails. See the list below for information about where to find them.

Salem Lake Trail – 7.1 miles

Enter at Salem Lake Park, 1001 Salem Lake Road, Winston-Salem

Salem Lake Trail is a popular trail and is considered easy to run. The path is mostly dirt and loops around the lake, providing lovely lake views and shaded wooded areas. Be aware that other people use the trail for walking, biking, and horseback riding. There are mile markers going counterclockwise, starting at the Point parking lot near the playground. The trail is open year-round, dogs on leashes are welcome, and bathrooms are available. From this trail, you can connect to the Salem Lake Greenway, which heads to downtown.

Salem Lake Greenway – 5 miles

Enter at Old Salem Visitor’s Center, 900 Old Salem Road, Winston-Salem

Salem Lake Greenway is the most centrally located off-road trail in Winston-Salem and runs between Washington Park and Salem Lake. It is an 8-foot wide, paved path that is relatively flat with a couple of slight inclines and wooden bridges. If you enter Old Salem Visitor’s Center, you can run 1.5 miles south through Washington Park to Hamricks, or run north through Central Park, the recreational fields of Winston-Salem State University (and their running track), Reynolds Park, and end at Salem Park. You can connect to the loop around Salem Lake, Old Salem Tour, or the Waughtown Greenway from this trail.

Old Salem Tour – 5.8 miles

Enter at Copening Plaza, 231 W 1st Street, Winston-Salem

The Old Salem Tour run begins at the northern end of The Strollway near Copening Plaza, where you run south for 1.2 miles into Old Salem, passing the covered bridge to the YMCA. Take a right onto Salem Avenue into Washington Park and use the walking trails, then take the Salem Creek Greenway back west to Central Park and run the paths there. The final leg is to enjoy the historic buildings and homes as you run up and down Old Salem’s tree-lined streets: Main Street, Church Street, and Salt Street. You can add more miles by taking the Salem Lake Greenway to Salem Lake.

Reynolda House Gardens And Trail – 1.7 miles

Enter at the Barn at Reynolda Village parking lot, 2201 Reynolda Road, Winston-Salem

Reynolda House Gardens and Trail is an easy loop path open year-round and popular for bird watching, hiking, and running. The trail is pavement and boardwalks and passes through Reynolda Gardens, meadows, wooded areas, and near a few ponds. It’s a beautiful run with lovely views and possible bird sightings. Dogs are welcome on a leash.

Hobby Park Trail – 2.8 miles

Enter at Hobby Park, 2301 Clemmonsville Road, Winston-Salem

Hobby Park Trail is a moderately challenging run with high elevations, tree roots, rocks, ruts, fallen trees, and mountain bikes. Trail navigation can also be confusing because there are overlapping paths, and it is not well marked. It is a wooded, shady, beautiful trail with nice bridges and easy parking. It is peaceful and quiet when there aren’t many bikers. Dogs on leashes are permitted, but reviews do not recommend bringing them because of the terrain and bikers.

Muddy Creek Greenway – 3 miles one way

Enter at access points at the intersection of Jefferson School Road and Robinhood Road or near Meadowlark Middle and Elementary Schools, 301 Meadowlark Drive, Winston Salem

Muddy Creek Greenway is a 3-mile run one way on a paved path following the Muddy Creek through meadows and forest. The trail is flat and popular for running, walking, and biking. It runs from north of Robinhood Road to Country Club Road and Jamison Park. Several small paths come off the Greenway, leading to neighborhoods that are also excellent for running. Dogs on a leash are permitted.

Bethabara Park Trail – 2.4 miles

Enter near Bethabara Park Visitor’s Center, 2147 Bethabara Road, Winston-Salem

Bethabara Park Trail is an easy out-and-back run that is open year-round. It is a beautiful area, a quiet environment, and features a variety of bird sightings. Bug spray is advisable to ward off mosquitos. The trail is not well marked, but it is a great natural path close to the city. Dogs on leashes are welcome. It may be muddy after the rain.

Bethabara Fitness Path And Spur – 1.1 mile

Enter at 2163 Bethabara Road, Winston-Salem

Bethabara Fitness Path and Spur is a loop and an easy run that is unlikely to be crowded. The best time to visit this trail is November through April. It is a beautiful, well-kept path with pavement, gravel, and occasionally fallen trees. There are workout stations along the way. There is a creek, lots of shade, and some wildlife. Dogs on leash are welcome.

Orchard Trail – 2 miles

Enter at the restored orchard lot along Bethania-Rural Hall Road, past the Wolff-Moser House on Ham Horton Lane

Orchard Trail is an out-and-back path with the entrance on the left side of the Mill House. It is a rustic trail that may be overgrown in some areas. It is wooded with wildflowers, birds, and wildlife to enjoy. There are some steeper elevations. Dogs are welcome on leash. The most accessible parking is at the Visitor’s Center at the intersection of Main Street and Bethania Road. A run from there to the trailhead will double the length of your route and allow you to see several historic houses and buildings along the way.

Waughtown Connector Greenway at Quarry Park – 1 mile

Enter at Quarry Park, 1790 Quarry Road, Winston-Salem

The Waughtown Connector Greenway at Quarry Park is one mile long, including the out and back on the Waughtown Connector and the Quarry loop. You begin and end in Quarry Park. The trail is smooth, easy to run, has paved asphalt and concrete, and has some gentle elevation. There are fantastic views of the quarry. Bathrooms are available. If you wish to extend your route, there are many other connections to the Greenway path. Dogs on leashes are welcome.

Silas Creek Loop – 1.2 mile

Enter at Paracourse Parking off Silas Creek Parkway south of Shaffer Park

Silas Creek Loop is a flat, easy gravel trail along the beautiful Silas Creek. It comprises two connecting loops, one small, the other larger. They together equal 1.2 miles. It is a nice shaded route with some wildlife and is relatively quiet. There are bathrooms available and plenty of parking. No dogs are allowed.

Tanglewood Park Multi-Use Trail – 2.2 mile

Enter the park off Clemmons Road, Harper Road exit of I-40. Enter the trail off Campground Road across from the dog park

Tanglewood Park Multi-Use Trail is a smooth, paved surface with rolling hills for easy running. It is a loop popular for biking, running, walking, and horseback riding. It is a wooded area with lovely sights and some wildlife. It can be crowded at times. There are bathrooms available. Dogs are welcome on a leash. Trail hours are 7am until dusk. There is a $2 fee to enter the park.

Exercise With Wheels

Bike riding, or cycling, is another excellent exercise that strengthens your legs and heart and is a pleasure to do. Biking can be just for your health, for pleasure, or as transportation. It can also be an extreme sport, like mountain biking. Winston-Salem has the best bike trails, and we found them. Take a look!

Where do you like to run in Winston-Salem? Tell us in the comments.

Sources for this article: AllTrails.com and Great Runs.com