Falls Lake Trail Section 2 Hike

Section 2 of the Falls Lake Trail is about 2.5 miles long from Raven Ridge Road to the end of Possum Track Road in North Raleigh.  As an out-and-back hike, it's more than 5 miles round trip or half that for a shuttle hike.

Length: 2.6 miles (shuttle)/5.2 miles (out and back)
Estimated Time: 1 to 3 hours
Difficulty: Easy
Location: Butner-Falls of Neuse Game Land
Trail Users: Hiking only
Dogs: Must be on a leash
Features: Lakes, Creeks, Forest
Crowds: High
Warnings: Part of the trail passes through game land where hunting is permitted.  Wear blaze orange during hunting season.
Trailhead GPS: 35.93039,-78.60755 (Raven Ridge Road)/35.94508,-78.59030 (Possum Track Road)

Directions:

Section 2 trailhead is located off Raven Ridge Road.  From I-540 in North Raleigh take exit 14 for Falls of Neuse Road.  Go north on Falls of Neuse Road for 1.5 miles and turn left on Raven Ridge at a stoplight.  Drive 1.3 miles and pull off on the side of the road after the causeway over Honeycutt Creek.

To arrange a shuttle, continue on Raven Ridge Road 0.8 miles and turn right on Hardee Road.  Drive 0.7 miles to the end and turn right on Possum Track Road.  Go 0.9 miles and park at the end of Possum Track Road.

Map:

Click here for an interactive map of the entire Falls Lake Trail.

Hike Description:

Section 2 of the trail is also called Honeycutt Creek West or Day Hike B.  The eastern trailhead is right at the bridge over Honeycutt Creek along Raven Ridge Road, about 1.2 miles northwest of Falls of Neuse Road.  There is a pulloff on either side of the bridge for hiker parking.  The trail heads into the woods following Honeycutt Creek as it flows into Falls Lake.

The trail follows the shoreline for much of this section, passing behind some very large homes and lots of great views of the lake.

In about 1.5 miles, the trail passes an old farm pond on the left.

At about 2.4 miles, the trail comes out on Red Fox Run, a private gravel road.  Turn left and follow this road to the dead end of Possum Track Road.  If you shuttled, your car will be here; otherwise, turn around and head back.

External Links:

Mountains-to-Sea Trail website: https://mountainstoseatrail.org/the-trail/segments/falls-lake-day-hikes/fallslake-dayhike-2/