If you're an active, nature loving Wake Forest student like myself, you may be wondering about the best Winston-Salem hot spots for quality hiking trails. Whether it's for an afternoon excursion or a full day trip, check out my short list and guide to some beautiful hikes in our local area.

1. Salem Lake Regional Park (Winston-Salem, NC)

Located only 25 minutes from the Wake Forest campus, Salem Lake Regional Park provides a 7-mile trail surrounding a breathtaking view of Salem Lake. This trail, composed of mostly gravel and dirt, provides mostly flat, solid running and hiking ground, scenic views, and an overall leisurely vibe. The Salem Lake trial would be a relaxing afternoon activity that would not require an entire day to complete. If you're in the mood for some peaceful hiking, Salem Lake Regional Park is the way to go!

2. Summit and Jomeokee Trails at Pilot Mountain State Park (Pinnacle, NC)

Whether you’re looking for a easy, moderate, or difficult level hike, Pilot Mountain, located near Pinnacle, NC, about 30 minutes off campus, offers a variety of scenic trails. Among the most popular trails, The Ledge Spring and Jomeokee Trail, accessible through a large parking lot at the summit of the mountain, provide a vigorous and demanding 2.5-mile uphill trail. Yet, you will find that the view at the peak of this trail is more breathtaking than the hike itself. While it is possible treat a trip Pilot Mountain as a casual day trip, I would advise making a day of it. With the variety of trails, views, and positive vibes it has to offer, Pilot Mountain will surely satisfy any avid hiker.

3. Hanging Rock State Park (Danbury, NC)

The farthest away of these first three locations, Hanging Rock State Park, unlike Pilot Mountain and Salem Lake Regional Park, provides a 73-site campground, picnic grounds, and over 25 miles of hiking trails. These scenic grounds are composed of mountain biking trails, beautiful hikes, and even areas in which rock climbing opportunities are available.

For those who prefer to hike in warmer weather seasons, countless waterfalls are scattered throughout the trails that often permit swimming to cool off from the more demanding hikes. Hanging Rock Park might cater to those who are looking for physically strenuous, advanced hikes, more recreational outdoor opportunities such as rock climbing and picnicking, and those who are looking to camp out for a weekend. Hanging Rock State Park is undoubtedly a nature lover’s paradise.

4. Historic Bethabara Park (Winston-Salem)

Bethabara Park provides grounds, gardens, and trails open free of charge all day, per year. This historic location, which marks the site of the first permanent settlement in this region of North Carolina, provides relatively easy hiking trails, including some that provide a boardwalk through shallow waters throughout the backwoods. Bethabara may act as more of a cultural-immersion type of day trip, yet anyone that enjoys spending time outdoors will undeniably enjoy what this historic spot has to offer.