Waterfall Hero Hikes: Falls Lake Trail Section 8 Hike

Section 8 of the Falls Lake Trail is about 3.5 miles from Durham Highway/NC-98 to New Light Road in North Raleigh through Shinleaf Recreation Area. As an out-and-back hike, it's 6.8 miles round trip or half that for a shuttle hike.

Length: 3.4 miles (shuttle)/6.8 miles (out and back)
Estimated Time: 1 to 3 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
Location: Butner-Falls of Neuse Game Land and Falls Lake State Recreation Area
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: 35.97893,-78.63449 (Durham Highway/NC-98) / 35.99552,-78.66339 (New Light Road)

Directions:

Section 8 trailhead is located on Durham Highway/NC-98. 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 3 miles and turn right on Durham Highway/NC-98 east. Drive 1.5 miles to a pull-off on the left just before the bridge over Falls Lake.

To arrange a shuttle, turn around and go west on NC-98 for 1.5 miles. Turn right at the light on New Light Road and go 0.9 miles to a small pull-off on the left before the causeway.

Map:

Hike Description:

This section is also called Shinleaf Recreation. From NC-98, the trail heads into the woods and through a powerline clearing and then back into the woods. At 0.2 miles, the trail crosses an old road that goes down to the lake.

For the next couple miles, the trail ducks in and out of several coves, some of them quite steep for this area.

In about 2.5 miles, the trail enters the Shinleaf Recreation Area, part of Falls Lake State Recreation Area with camping, restrooms, and parking amenities available. Cross the parking lot and follow the trail back into the woods, passing the Norwood Family cemetery.