Today’s Forecast

51º | Cloudy | 0% chance of rain | Sunrise 7:25 a.m. | Sunset 5:17 p.m.

🌲 Time to hit up a hike

Hit the trails with this guide to Triangle hikes

Surround yourself with nature at Umstead State Park. | Photo by @jenneunc

From quick and easy loops around town to drives that take you to fantastic lakes and mountainous areas, the Triangle has so many options to hit the trail. So lace up your hiking boots, because we’ve compiled a hiking guide for the Raleigh area with 20 routes and trails.

Note: While parks and trails may be listed as open, we recommend checking park websites before visiting for further info, current trail conditions, and safest practices for the area.

Key: Easy = 🥾 | Moderate = 🥾🥾 | Hard = 🥾🥾🥾

Lake Johnson East Loop, Lake Johnson Park, 4601 Avent Ferry Rd., Raleigh

Difficulty: 🥾
Length: 2.8 miles
Pet-friendly: Yes, but must be kept on a leash
Wheelchair accessible: Yes

This paved trail winds through the woods, along the lake, and across a dam. After your hike, visit the covered pavilion to take in a scenic lake overlook in a rocking chair.

Williamson Preserve — The Triangle Land Conservancy has eight public nature preserves.
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Photo by @ihave88keys_

Loblolly Trail, William B. Umstead State Park, 2100 N. Harrison Ave., Cary

Difficulty: 🥾🥾
Length: 6.4 miles
Pet-friendly: Yes, but must be kept on a leash
Wheelchair accessible: No

This out-and-back trail is popular for runners. Wear sturdy shoes; the trail has many roots and rocks + can be muddy after rainy weather.

Williamson Preserve to Neuse River Walk, 4409 Mial Plantation Rd., Raleigh

Difficulty: 🥾
Length: 8.3 miles
Pet-friendly: Yes, but must be kept on a leash
Wheelchair accessible: No

Explore the Bailey and Sarah Williamson Preserve, open every day from dawn until dusk. Be on the lookout for wildflowers and a turtle or two.

A suspension bridge of the Eno River in November. — This suspension bridge is over the Eno River.
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Photo by @sladesnaps

Cox Mountain Trail, Eno River State Park, 6101 Cole Mill Rd., Durham

Difficulty: 🥾🥾
Length: 4.6 miles
Pet-friendly: Yes, but must be kept on a leash
Wheelchair accessible: No

The trial leads you through abundant greenery to a suspension bridge over the Eno River.

16 more hikes

Poll

The best hiking snack is:

A. GORP aka trail mix
B. Granola bar
C. Fresh fruit
D. Jerky

Vote for your fave

Events

Tuesday, March 21

Bands at Brookside Bodega | Tuesday, Mar. 21 | 5-8 p.m. | Brookside Bodega, 1000 Brookside Dr., Raleigh | Free | See Sayer McShane perform live and enjoy tasty bites and cold drafts.
Open Mic | Tuesday, Mar. 21 | 7:30 p.m. | Goodnights Comedy Club, 401 Woodburn Rd., Raleigh | Free | Sign up at the box office between 6:30 p.m. and 7:15 p.m. to perform.

Wednesday, March 22

Geeks Who Drink Trivia Night | Wednesday, Mar. 22 | 8-10 p.m. | Alamo Drafthouse, 2116-D New Bern Ave., Raleigh | Free | Test your knowledge with seven rounds of trivia and compete for bar cash and other prizes.

Thursday, March 23

Rainbow Cake Decorating | Thursday, Mar. 23 | 6:30-8 p.m. | Joy Worthy Co., 131 S. Wilmington St., Raleigh | $59 | Caroline of Crumb & Cream will guide you through basic piping techniques to decorate a cake.
Returning to the Wreck of RMS Titanic | Thursday, Mar. 23 | 5:30-8:30 p.m. | NC Museum of Natural Sciences, 11 W. Jones St., Raleigh | $10 | Return to the wreck of RMS Titanic with Dr. Steve Ross — a lecture ticket includes an evening viewing of the special exhibition, James Cameron - Challenging the Deep.*

Friday, March 24

Big Wild | Friday, Mar. 24 | 7 p.m. | The Ritz, 2820 Industrial Dr., Raleigh | $29-$80 | See this electronic composer and vocalist perform on The Efferusphere Is Here Tour.

Saturday, March 25

Mozart: Symphony No. 40 | Saturday, Mar. 25-Sunday, Mar. 26 | Times vary | Martin Marietta Center for the Performing Arts, 2 E. South St., Raleigh | $27-$80 | This ballet is about a society that parades and poses as elites.

We have a calendar filled with events and activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.

Click here to have your event featured.

100+ more events

News Notes

Weather

64º | Partly cloudy | 3% chance of rain

Coming Soon

Upscale hotel chain The Westin is opening its first Triangle location at Brier Creek Commons. The new hotel will have 236 rooms and suites, a rooftop pool, a lounge with a full bar, a Starbucks, and an Italian restaurant. The expected opening is in April. (Triangle Business Journal)

Community

City Council is considering a rezoning request that would allow developers to build up to 20 stories across the street from the Joel Lane House — Raleigh’s oldest residence. A public hearing will be held on Thursday, March 23. Learn more. (The News & Observer)

Concert

Celebrate the end of The Power of Women in Country Music exhibit (Sunday, April 2) with a finale concert at the NC Museum of History. Country musicians Eliza Meyer, Alice Gerrard, Kay Justice, and Ginny Hawker will perform as part of the Southern Songbird Series on Saturday, April 1.

Outdoors

What’s better than winning Tree of the Year in the City of Oaks? Not mulch. Nominate your favorite Raleigh tree by submitting a photo by Monday, April 3 at 5 p.m. Voting begins the next day.

Try This

It’s that time again... Wrap up your spring cleaning by selling your stuff at The Great Raleigh Yard Sale on Saturday, April 1-Sunday, April 2, starting at 9 a.m. Register to secure your space at The Raleigh Market on Trinity Road for $30 a day — spaces are about the size of a parking spot.

Sports

Last night, No. 6 UNC lost to No. 3 Ohio State, 71-69, in the second round of the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament. The Blue Devils are out too — No. 3 Duke lost to No. 6 Colorado in overtime, 61-53.

Feel Good

February bloomed at Perimeter Park thanks to Bloom by Trinity Partners (a tenant and building experience program). Tenants donated blood, enjoyed a build-your-own bouquet bar + sweet treat from Cocoa Forte, participated in a park-wide walk to support Heart Health Month, and benefited from on-site group Yoga and HIIT classes.*

Health

MakoRX just launched a new healthcare service at your local pharmacy. Meet Virtual Urgent Care: a vital check + telehealth provider visit completed in the same place you get your prescription (read: spend less time driving around and more time getting better). Bonus: No insurance is needed. See participating pharmacies.*

Finance

Refinance rates are skyrocketing. But home equity rates remain relatively low — which means that now is a great time to borrow against your home. Calculate your payment.*

Wellness

What’s in: red light therapy. What’s out: forms of treatment that are painful and invasive. Red light therapy is non-invasive and painless, and evidence suggests it may be able to ease body aches, heal sun damage, and build collagen. Brb — we’re adding this easy-to-prop light and this facial massager to our Amazon cart.

Asked

🍻 The competition’s brewing

RALtoday brewery bracket

Which brewery do you want to see in the finals? | Graphic by RALtoday

We’ve got some passionate readers. After 1,100+ votes, here are the breweries moving on to the next round of our Brewery Bracket:

Funguys Brewing vs. Raleigh Brewing Company
Trophy Brewing vs. Gizmo Brew Works

Who will face off in the championship? Cast your votes now through Monday, March 27 at 10 a.m. Once we count all the votes, we’ll share an updated bracket and new poll in next Tuesday’s newsletter.

Vote here

The Wrap

Today’s Edition By:
Anne

From the Editor

There’s no way I could write this newsletter without reminding you that it’s the Year of the Trail in NC. Once you conquer the 20 trails featured in our guide, check out how the City of Raleigh is celebrating. The next event is a Twilight Walk at Wilkerson Nature Preserve Park on Sunday, March 25. See you on the trails.

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