Looking to jump-start — or simply start — a hiking program? There’s no better time than now, the start of spring. Temperatures are on the rise, there’s more daylight and choose your trails wisely and there can be a whole lot to see. After a brief delay thanks to an unusually cold winter, the spring wildflower display is on.

One of the first signs of warmer weather and longer daylight is the emergence of colorful wildflowers. Wildflowers have to act first and fast to take advantage of sunlight that won’t be reaching the forest floor once the hardwoods leaf out. Already, the trout lily, hepatica (pictured) and delicate bluets are popping through, Dutchman’s breeches and Jack-in-the-pulpit will be soon to follow. The bulk of the spring show generally runs through mid-May.

Below are some of the best opportunities for spring wildflower viewing in the state’s two largest population centers, Charlotte and the Triangle. Hit the trail, enjoy the show, get a good hike in. You won’t realize you’ve had a good workout until bedtime arrives two hours early.

Triangle

There are loads of places to hike in the Triangle. But when it comes to watching spring unfold, one stands out: the Eno River Valley. From Occoneechee Mountain and its five distinct eco zones near Hillsborough downstream to Penny’s Bend and its rare Piedmont prairie, you’ll find a good accounting of the spring wildflowers found throughout the Piedmont. There’s no better place in the Triangle to watch spring unfold and no one better to watch it unfold with with than the Eno River Association.

Every Sunday afternoon from early March to mid-May the association sponsors a naturalist-led hike somewhere along the Eno. The hikes are scheduled to coincide with the section of the Eno where the ephemerals are exploding. This Sunday, for instance, the ERA will check out a stretch of the Flat River, a tributary of the Eno. The hikes are free and last about 2.5 hours. For more info: 919.620.9099, or visit the ERA Web site.

Charlotte

Charlotte and Mecklenburg County have 21 nature preserves, a lot to choose from and challenge in terms of making a recommendation. Nevertheless, we got a few of the folks most familiar with the preserves to share their spring favorites.

Don Seriff, natural resources coordinator/supervisor with Mecklenburg County Division of Nature Preserves and Natural Resources, recommends a visit to the 1,115-acre McDowelll Nature Center and Preserve. The park as seven miles of hiking trail; Seriff says the 1.2-mile Chestnut Trail and 0.9-mile Kingfisher trail are especially good for spring wildflower viewing. (Oh, look — the park is highlighted in this hiking guide.)

McDowell has a lot going on. Snuggled up to Lake Wylie, the park has had 119 species of birds identified (not all of which are year-round residents), 21 mammals, 21 reptiles and 14 species of amphibians. The first Seminole bat in North Carolina was recorded here and it’s home to some “unusual” species including the spotted salamander, Gulf Coast spiny softshell turtle and the Loggerhead Shrike. For our purposes today, it’s got 32 species of spring wildflowers, which are too numerous to mention here, so we’ll footnote them — * — at the bottom.

For preserve hours, directions and the like, go here.

Lenny Lampel, Natural Resources Coordinator for Mecklenburg Parks and Rec says a favorite of his is the mile-long Beechwood Trail at Latta Plantation Nature Preserve. “It’s a nice spot for spring ephemerals.”

Among his favorites: Heartleaf, Little Heartleaf, Violet Wood-sorrel, Round-lobed Hepatica, Rue Anemone, Common Bluets, Giant Chickweed, Early Saxifrage. And if you’re up for stretching your legs after checking out the wildflowers, there’s another two miles of hiking trail and 13 miles of equestrian/hiking trail in this 1,351-acre preserve that juts into Mountain Island Lake. Details on the park here.

Not crazy about freelancing your expeditions into the woods? Prefer a little direction? Then head to the RibbonWalk Nature Preserve. Saturday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. for Fun in the Springtime Sun. Guided hikes, nature art and more. And, it’s free. Learn more about the park here. If tomorrow’s booked, then mark your calendar for next Saturday, April 3, and the spring ephemerals hikes, a six-hour (9 a.m.-3 p.m.) tour of various wildflower sites countywide. Free if you’re under 12, $5 if you’re 12 or older. More info, call 704.598.8857.

* Catesby’s Trillium, Rue Anemone, Yellow Jessamine, Bellwort, Bloodroot, Hepatica, Cinquefoil, Bluets, Early Saxifrage, Pinxter Azalea, Star Chickweed, Green and Gold, Pussytoes, Golden, Alexander, Sweet Shrub, Wild Pink, Phlox, Wild Ginger, Purple Violet, Confederate Violet, Yellow Wood Sorrel, Violet Wood Sorrel, Blue Star, Robin’s Plantain, Buttercup, Coral, Honeysuckle, Wild Strawberry, Wild Geranium, Mayapple, Flowering Dogwood, Rusty Blackhaw, Redbud.