Waterfall Hero Hikes: Falls Lake Trail Section 6 Hike

Section 6 of the Falls Lake Trail is about 3 miles from Six Forks Road to Six Forks Road through Blue Jay Point County Park in North Raleigh. As an out-and-back hike, it's 6.0 miles round trip or half that for a shuttle hike.

Length: 6.0 miles (shuttle)/3.0 miles (out and back)
Estimated Time: 1 to 2 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
Location: Blue Jay Point County Park
Trail Users: Hiking only
Dogs: Must be on a leash
Features: Lakes, Creeks, Forest
Crowds: High
Warnings: None
Trailhead GPS: 35.96035,-78.64511 (Six Forks Road) / 35.97180,-78.65431 (Six Forks Road)

Directions:

Section 6 trailhead is located along Six Forks Road. From I-540 in North Raleigh take exit 11 for Six Forks Road. Go north on Six Forks for 2.5 miles and turn left to stay on Six Forks. Go another 1.1 miles and pull off on the side just after the causeway over Lower Barton Creek.

To arrange a shuttle, continue on Six Forks Road for 1 mile and pull off just before the causeway over Upper Barton Creek.

Map:

Hike Description:

This section is also called Blue Jay Point, because it passes through Blue Jay Point County Park. This section is the only section that doesn't cross through game land - the entire section is within the park where hunting is prohibited. The eastern trailhead is along Six Forks Road a mile after the split with Possum Track Road. Street parking is available just after the bridge. The trail follows the perimeter of Blue Jay Point, a peninsula that juts out into Falls Lake. There are several other park trails that intersect with or run concurrent with the Falls Lake Trail so pay attention to the white blazes. In 0.7 miles, the trail intersects Beaver Point Trail, which leads to a view of the lake.

At 1.2 miles, the trail crosses Blue Jay Point Trail, another trail leading down to the lake.

There is a wooden overlook where the trail goes around a small tributary.

The trail then joins yellow-blazed Laurel Loop Trail for a short ways and there are opportunities to get out on the lake for a nice view.

At 1.8 miles, turn left to join up with blue-blazed Sandy Point Trail, where right goes down to the lake.

Shortly, Falls Lake Trail splits to the left and goes up to a parking area near the lodge, then crosses the street and heads back into the woods. The trail runs along the north shore of the peninsula on Upper Barton Creek before coming back out on Six Forks Road just south of the causeway over Upper Barton Creek. If you shuttled, the car will be here; otherwise, turn around and head back.