Waterfall Hero Hikes: Research Triangle Park Trails

Research Triangle Park (RTP) is 7,000-acre research park in Wake and Durham Counties that hosts a number of biotech and high-tech firms. The three points of the triangle are NC State, UNC and Duke Universities and the park is the namesake for the Research Triangle region. RTP has an extensive greenway trail system as well as mountain bike trails as amenities to employees and visitors of the Research Triangle.

Map:

Trails:

Kit Creek Extension Trail:

Kit Creek Extension Trail splits off from Kit Creek Loop along Kit Creek Road and then runs along the northern shore of Lake Betz past some scenic wetlands. At the other end of the lake, the trail runs along Louis Stephens Road then Little Drive. The trail then follows Davis Drive to meet back up with Kit Creek Trail at the intersection with Kit Creek Road, making a figure-8 loop.

Kit Creek Loop:

Kit Creek Loop makes a 3-mile loop in the southern part of the park. Starting at the intersection of Development Drive and Louis Stephens Drive and going clockwise, the trail follows Louis Stephens to Kit Creek Road and turns to follow. Kit Creek Extension splits off to run along Lake Betz. The loop follows Kit Creek Road to Davis Drive where the extension trail merges back in. The trail follows Davis Drive to Development Drive to finish up the loop.

Mountain Bike Trails:

The Mountain Bike Trail is over 4 miles through forested terrain.

Park Center Extension Trail:

Park Center Extension Trail leads 1.25 miles along T.W. Alexander Drive and connects to Park Center Loop.

Park Center Loop:

Park Center Loop makes a 5 1/4-mile loop following Davis Drive, Cornwallis Road, Alexander Drive and NC-54.

RTP Connector Trail:

RTP Connector Trail follows TW Alexander Drive and Louis Stephens Drive to connect Park Center Loop and Kit Creek Loop.

Wildlife:

Despite the corporate location, the trails around RTP have a surprising amount of wildlife. Kit Creek Extension Trail running along the wetlands at Lake Betz is a particularly good spot for birding and wildlife viewing.

Great blue heron (Ardea herodias)