Ayr Mount & Occoneechee Speedway

Classical American Homes Preservation Trust owns 300 acres of open space along the Eno River east of Hillsborough that are open to the public.  The property contains three historic sites and one nature preserve.  Ayr Mount is a Federal-style plantation house built in 1815 with a 1-mile trail.  Additionally, the Historic Occoneechee Speedway Trail follows one of the original NASCAR race tracks.  James M. Johnston Nature Preserve protects a section of steep bluffs along Eno River.  Segment 9 of the Mountains-to-Sea Trail runs through the area.

Map:

Trails:

Mountains-to-Sea Trail:

About 1.5 miles of Segment 9 of the Mountains-to-Sea Trail run through the property.

Poet's Walk:

Poet's Walk makes a 1-mile loop around the Ayr Mount property, following the river for a ways and passing the pond.  There are numerous benches along the trail for quiet reflection.

Speedway Trace:

The Speedway Trace follows the route of the old track.  The grandstand, flag stand and several old cars are located along the trail.

Wolf Tree Trace:

Wolf Tree Trace splits from Terrace Trace making a short loop that passes the Wolf Tree.

Wildlife:

Mountain laurel (Kalmia latifolia)

Blog Entries:

07-Feb-2021: Rainy Hikes in Hillsborough

24-Dec-2018: Cedarock and Eno Riverwalk

External Links:

Classical American Homes Preservation Trust website: https://classicalamericanhomes.org/ayr-mount/