Just a half hour south of the Triangle 's busy trails you'll find hiking, biking and paddling without the crowds. On this Year of the Trail Trail Days Festival Weekend we'll ride a challenging 12-mile mountain bike network, paddle the Deep River State Trail and hike a diverse local park and one of the region's first land conservancies, among other activities. We've got events for those just getting their outdoor wings and folks looking for new places to explore.
Also: this Trail Days Festival event is being held in conjunction with Sanford's annual Strawberry Jammin' festival, which starts at 8:30 at the downtown Farmer's Market and rolls throughout the day with vendors, food, dedication of the Piedmont Blues Mural and music until 10 p.m. Learn more about the Strawberry Jammin' festival here, and plan to make a day of it and exploring.
Here's a rundown of our adventures for the day. For more information on each and to register, click the appropriate link.
9 a.m. -- Beginner-friendly Paddle Trip on the Deep River, Deep River State Trail, Deep River Park, 3485 R Jordan Road, Gulf. Cape Fear Adventures leads this trip 1.5-hour trip on the Deep from the new 401 Access to Deep River Park and Camelback Bridge. This 2.1-mile run of the Deep is dubbed “Li’l Ripple,” for the ripple sections on this otherwise placid but moving stretch of river. No boat, no problem: Cape Fear Adventures will provide boat, paddle and pfd for $34 for a single kayak, $49 for a tandem. Shuttle provided for paddlers with their own boat. 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. Limited to 10 paddlers. Learn more and sign up here.
10 a.m. -- Nature Hike, San Lee Park, 572 Pumping Station Road, Sanford. Lifelong Sanford resident and long-time naturalist Jimmy Randolph leads a nature like around one of San-Lee Park’s two lakes in search of late-blooming spring ephemerals and assorted reptiles and birds. Meet at the Visitor Center (address above. The hike is about a mile in length. Limited to 12 hikers. Learn more and sign up here.
11 a.m. -- Beginner-friendly Paddle Trip on the Deep River, Deep River State Trail, Deep River Park, 3485 R Jordan Road, Gulf. Cape Fear Adventures leads this trip 1.5-hour trip on the Deep from the new 401 Access to Deep River Park and Camelback Bridge. This 2.1-mile run of the Deep is dubbed “Li’l Ripple,” for the ripple sections on this otherwise placid but moving stretch of river. No boat, no problem: Cape Fear Adventures will provide boat, paddle and pfd for $34 for a single kayak, $49 for a tandem. Shuttle provided for paddlers with their own boat. 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. Limited to 10 paddlers. Learn more and sign up here.
11 a.m. -- Hike at White Pines Nature Preserve, 548 S Rocky River Rd, Sanford. This hike will utilize six trails to cover 5 miles of surprisingly diverser terrain where the Rocky and Deep rivers meet. The 285-acre preserve was the first opened to the public by the Triangle Land Conservancy and features a variety of ecosystems. Learn more and sign up here.
1 p.m. -- Guided Mountain Bike Ride, San-Lee Park, 572 Pumping Station Road, Sanford. Hour and a half ride on the park’s 12-mile mountain bike trail network. Appropriate for beginner/intermediate riders. Must have your own bike, helmet required. Meet at the Visitor Center (address above). Learn more and sign up here.
2 p.m. -- Nature Hike, San Lee Park, 572 Pumping Station Road, Sanford. Lifelong Sanford resident and long-time naturalist Jimmy Randolph leads a nature like around one of San-Lee Park’s two lakes in search of late-blooming spring ephemerals and assorted reptiles and birds. Meet at the Visitor Center (address above. The hike is about a mile in length. Limited to 12 hikers. Learn more and sign up here.
3 p.m. -- Strider Kids Bike Race, San-Lee Park, 572 Pumping Station Road, Sanford. Introduce your Strider-riding kids to the fun and thrills of dirt-track racing in this event sponsored by Sanford’s Back to Dirt Bike Shop. Helmet requred. Meet at the Visitor Center. Learn more and sign up here.
Lodging
Make a weekend of the festival! Go here for lodging information.