Waterfall Hero Hikes: Falls Lake Trail Sections 18 & 19 Hike

Sections 18 & 19 of the Falls Lake Trail is about 1.5 miles from Redwood Road to East Geer Street in Durham County. As an out-and-back hike, it's 2.6 miles round trip or half that for a shuttle hike.

Length: 1.3 (shuttle)/2.6 (out and back)
Estimated Time: 1 to 2 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: 36.05230,-78.77693 (Redwood Road) / 36.06337,-78.78671 (E Geer Street)

Directions:

Section 18 trailhead is along Redwood Road. From Durham, get on I-85 north and go about 6 miles to exit 183 for Redwood Road. Turn left on Redwood Road and go 1 mile to a pullout on either side of the street just before the causeway.

To arrange a shuttle, turn around and go 0.9 miles. Turn right on E Geer Street and drive 0.5 miles to the end. There is a pulloff on the left to park.

Map:

Hike Description:

Section 18 starts heading north into the woods.

In under a half-mile, this section ends at Hickory Hill Boat Ramp.

Section 19 picks up across the parking lot. The trail passes an old road bed and soon an airstrip can be seen to the left. The trail then crosses a deep depression that is usually dry and easy to cross, but can be difficult in high water.