Welcome to our Winter/Spring 2026 Sunday Monthly Hike Series! This series offers 8 guided hikes, 6 on the first Sunday of the month, plus two bonus Sunday hikes to kick off the year! In addition, for the weeks we don’t offer a guided hike, we offer a suggested hike you can do alone or as a group. Each recommendation comes with a GetHiking! eguide, which includes map, route description and general hike  info.  

This series provides you the incentive to keep hiking through winter, and the opportunity to explore new trails while enjoying the camaraderie of fellow hikers. We focus on the trails less traveled, at the times less traveled.  

What: 8 Sunday hikes on trails in the Triangle.

Experience level: Our hikes are geared toward hikers with some experience. You needn’t be fast; we lead our hikes from the rear, so no one is left behind. 

When: First Sunday of the month, January through June, plus the third Sunday of January (MLK Weekend) and the fourth Sunday of March. Hikes begin at 9 a.m.

Includes:

• The Wednesday before each hike you’ll receive an eguide for each hike, including map, route description, route overview, directions and other details. (Every Friday we send a hike reminder along with a look at the weather.)
• GetHiking! Guide to 25 Triangle Trails
• GetHiking! Guide to Winter Hiking

Cost: $295  for couples and families ($175 for single hikers).

Questions?  Email me at joe@getgoingnc.com.

Where we hike

January 4  Mountains-to-Sea Trail at Falls Lake, DH-H, Shinleaf Recreation Area, Wake Forest, 6 miles. Duck in and out of several coves, disappear into upland hardwood forests, catch good views of Falls Lake on this out-and-back hike. 

January 18  Butner Game Lands: Flat River Access, Bahama, 5 miles. Part of the 40,000-acre Butner Game Lands located along the north shore of Falls Lake, we hike the Brickhouse Road parcel, which includes wide open stretches, ponds, and encounters with the Flat River and Falls Lake.   

February 1  Mountains-to-Sea Trail at Falls Lake, DH-8  (NC 50 to NC 98),  Raleigh, 7.2 miles. This is the longest continuous section of the MST along Falls Lake, with views of the lake, passage through a long-abandoned farm, and stretches that feel as remote as any you’ll encounter in the Triangle.

March 1  Mountains-to-Sea Trail, DH-P (Hickory  Hill Boat Ramp), 6 miles. A great trail for spotting the first trout lilies, spring beauties and other signs of emerging spring.  It’s been rerouted in spots, so even if you’ve hiked this trail, if you haven’t hiked it recently you’re in for a surprise.

March 22 Cane Creek Mountain Natural Area: Oak Hill Trailhead, Snow Camp, 6 miles. A bonus Sunday hike to welcome Spring (which arrives on March 20) at this  new network that’s similar to the Uwharrie Mountains, but without the drive.

April 5  Horton Grove Nature Preserve, Bahama, 6 miles. A GetHiking! favorite, this Triangle Land Conservancy property north of Durham is good in any season, but especially in spring, where a rich mix of hardwood canopy and understory captures the pastel blooms of spring. 

May 3  Eno River State Park: Pleasant Green Access to Cabe Lands Access, Durham, 5 miles. We start in a bottomland forest, then climb a ridge dense with mountain laurel before descending down to the Eno and circling the Eno Quarry. 

June 7  Mountains-to-Sea Trail at Falls Lake, DH-R,S Redwood Road to Red Mill Road, Durham, 6 miles. A mix of forest and meadow, this hike includes a brush or two with Falls Lake, an old railroad trestle, a long-abandoned barn. Our favorite Winter Hike along Falls Lake. 

The post GetHiking! Winter/Spring 2026 Hike Series (Couples and Families) appeared first on GetGoing NC!.

Welcome to our Winter/Spring 2026 Sunday Monthly Hike Series! This series offers 8 guided hikes, 6 on the first Sunday of the month, plus two bonus Sunday hikes to kick off the year! In addition, for the weeks we don’t offer a guided hike, we offer a suggested hike you can do alone or as a group. Each recommendation comes with a GetHiking! eguide, which includes map, route description and general hike  info.  

This series provides you the incentive to keep hiking through winter, and the opportunity to explore new trails while enjoying the camaraderie of fellow hikers. We focus on the trails less traveled, at the times less traveled.  

What: 8 Sunday hikes on trails in the Triangle.

Experience level: Our hikes are geared toward hikers with some experience. You needn’t be fast; we lead our hikes from the rear, so no one is left behind. 

When: First Sunday of the month, January through June, plus the third Sunday of January (MLK Weekend) and the fourth Sunday of March. Hikes begin at 9 a.m.

Includes:

• The Wednesday before each hike you’ll receive an eguide for each hike, including map, route description, route overview, directions and other details. (Every Friday we send a hike reminder along with a look at the weather.)
• GetHiking! Guide to 25 Triangle Trails
• GetHiking! Guide to Winter Hiking

Cost: $175 ($295 for couples and families).

Questions?  Email me at joe@getgoingnc.com.

Where we hike

January 4  Mountains-to-Sea Trail at Falls Lake, DH-H, Shinleaf Recreation Area, Wake Forest, 6 miles. Duck in and out of several coves, disappear into upland hardwood forests, catch good views of Falls Lake on this out-and-back hike. 

January 18  Butner Game Lands: Flat River Access, Bahama, 5 miles. Part of the 40,000-acre Butner Game Lands located along the north shore of Falls Lake, we hike the Brickhouse Road parcel, which includes wide open stretches, ponds, and encounters with the Flat River and Falls Lake.   

February 1  Mountains-to-Sea Trail at Falls Lake, DH-8  (NC 50 to NC 98),  Raleigh, 7.2 miles. This is the longest continuous section of the MST along Falls Lake, with views of the lake, passage through a long-abandoned farm, and stretches that feel as remote as any you’ll encounter in the Triangle.

March 1  Mountains-to-Sea Trail, DH-P (Hickory  Hill Boat Ramp), 6 miles. A great trail for spotting the first trout lilies, spring beauties and other signs of emerging spring.  It’s been rerouted in spots, so even if you’ve hiked this trail, if you haven’t hiked it recently you’re in for a surprise.

March 22 Cane Creek Mountain Natural Area: Oak Hill Trailhead, Snow Camp, 6 miles. A bonus Sunday hike to welcome Spring (which arrives on March 20) at this  new network that’s similar to the Uwharrie Mountains, but without the drive.

April 5  Horton Grove Nature Preserve, Bahama, 6 miles. A GetHiking! favorite, this Triangle Land Conservancy property north of Durham is good in any season, but especially in spring, where a rich mix of hardwood canopy and understory captures the pastel blooms of spring. 

May 3  Eno River State Park: Pleasant Green Access to Cabe Lands Access, Durham, 5 miles. We start in a bottomland forest, then climb a ridge dense with mountain laurel before descending down to the Eno and circling the Eno Quarry. 

June 7  Mountains-to-Sea Trail at Falls Lake, DH-R,S Redwood Road to Red Mill Road, Durham, 6 miles. A mix of forest and meadow, this hike includes a brush or two with Falls Lake, an old railroad trestle, a long-abandoned barn. Our favorite Winter Hike along Falls Lake. 

The post GetHiking! Winter/Spring 2026 Hike Series (Single Hiker) appeared first on GetGoing NC!.

On the first weekend in November we will gather in Hot Springs for two days of hiking and enjoying the ambience of downtown Hot Springs (through which the Appalachian Trail passes).

This year’s event is particularly special: Last September, Hurricane Helene swept through Western North Carolina wrecking havoc throughout the region. Hot Springs, on the French Broad River, was especially hard hit — but the town has bounced back and is again a vibrant hiking hub.

Our plan for the weekend

Friday: Arrive after 4 p.m. From 4 p.m. until 8 p.m.  we will have a campfire welcome with cheese, crackers, little round meats and beer.

Saturday: Pancake breakfast at 7:30 a.m. We will catch the shuttle to Garenflo Gap on the AT at 9:30 a.m., arriving by 10 a.m. for our 7.4-mile hike on the AT that will bring us back into town that afternoon. We will provide lunch; dinner is in town, on your own.

Sunday: Continental breakfast at 7:30 a.m. At 9, we will drive a short distance to Tanyard Gap for the 5.5-mile, mostly downhill hike on the AT back into town.

This trip includes

• 2 breakfasts (Saturday and Sunday mornings)
• 2 lunches (build-your-own lunch buffet)
• Trail snacks
• 2 hikes
• Saturday shuttle to Tanyard Gap
• eguide for both hikes and for the weekend in general (including information on restaurants in Hot Springs)

The hikes

Saturday: Garenflo Gap into Hot Springs on the AT is 7.4 miles. There’s some climbing in the first 3 miles, the last 4 are downhill. The trail is in good shape and easy to follow. We will stop for lunch at the Deer Park Mountain Shelter, where there is water to filter (I will bring a filter). Moderate difficulty.

Sunday: This 5.5-mile hike starts high at Tanyard Gap, ends low back in Hot Springs, and offers a long downhill passage through a hardwood forest that should have good color. Moderate difficulty.

Lodging

Lodging is not provided on this trip. Our base camp will be at the Hot Springs Resort and Spa, which offers a range of accommodations, including camping, small cabins, bigger cabins, two houses and rooms in the lodge. Campsites start at $45 a night, cabins start at $125 a night. Provided meals will be served at a campsite to be identified upon registration. The resort is just across the railroad tracks from downtown Hot Springs, a 5-minute walk, tops.

You can make reservations  by either visiting the website or calling 828-622-7676. You may find other lodging options in Hot Springs here.

Fee

Fee for the trip, excluding lodging: $295. Though Hot Springs has made considerable progress and is again a viable trail town, recovery from Helene continues. Of your fee, 20 percent will go to ReBuild Hot Springs, a local non-profit created to aid in the recovery. Check it out here.

Refund policy

Full refund for cancelations made up to 7 days in advance of the trip’s start; credit give for cancelations made 1 to 6 days before the trip; no refund for cancelations made less than 24 hours in advance.

Questions?

Contact Joe at joe@getgoingnc.com

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What: 7 Sunday hikes: 6 on trails in the Triangle, one along the Blue Ridge.

Experience level: Our hikes are geared toward hikers with some experience. That doesn’t mean you have to be fast; we lead our hikes from the rear, so no one is left behind.

When: First Sunday of the month, July through December, plus the last Sunday of December. Hikes begin at 9 a.m.

Includes: Every Monday you’ll receive an email with details for that week. They will include a recommended Tuesday evening hike. On weeks when we don’t hike together, you will receive a recommendation for Sunday; for weeks we do hike together, you will receive details on that hike. All hikes come with an eguide.

Cost: $175, $295 for couples and families

More info and to sign up: Go here for Single hikers, here for Couples and Families.

Questions? Email me at joe@getgoingnc.com.Where we hike

July 6 Little River Regional Park, Durham, 4.5 miles. A good summer option: not too long, a good stretch along water, moderate climbs and all under a thick, sun- screening canopy.

August 2 Rendezvous Mountain State Natural Area, Wilkesboro, 5 miles. North Carolina’s newest addition to the State Park system offers waterfalls and a ridgeline hike along an old roadbed that catches mountain breezes on a warm August day.

September 7 Mountains-to-Sea Trail at Falls Lake, DH-R,S Redwood Road to Red Mill Road, Durham, 6 miles. A mix of forest and meadow, this hike includes a brush or two with Falls Lake, an old railroad trestle, a long-abandoned barn. Our favorite Winter Hike along Falls Lake.

October 5 Horton Grove Nature Preserve, Bahama, 4.5 miles. A GetHiking! favorite, this Triangle Land Conservancy property north of Durham is good in any season, but especially in fall, when we will catch the first signs of fall color in the Triangle.

November 2 Mountains-to-Sea Trail, DH-P (Hickory Hill Boat Ramp), 6 miles. A great trail for spotting the first trout lilies, spring beauties and other signs of emerging spring. It’s been rerouted in spots, so even if you’ve hiked this trail, if you haven’t hiked it recently you’re in for a surprise.

December 1 Butner Game Lands, Bahama, 5 miles. Part of the 40,000-acre Butner Game Lands located along the north shore of Falls Lake, we hike the Brickhouse Road parcel, which includes wide open stretches, ponds, and encounters with the Flat River and Falls Lake.

December 29 Mountains-to-Sea Trail at Falls Lake, DH-R,S Redwood Road to Red Mill Road, Durham, 6 miles. A mix of forest and meadow, this hike includes a brush or two with Falls Lake, an old railroad trestle, a long-abandoned barn. Our favorite Winter Hike along Falls Lake.

The post GetHiking! Summer/Fall 2025 Hike Series (Couples/Families) appeared first on GetGoing NC!.

What: 7 Sunday hikes: 6 on trails in the Triangle, one along the Blue Ridge.

Experience level: Our hikes are geared toward hikers with some experience. That doesn’t mean you have to be fast; we lead our hikes from the rear, so no one is left behind.

When: First Sunday of the month, July through December, plus the last Sunday of December. Hikes begin at 9 a.m.

Includes: Every Monday you’ll receive an email with details for that week. They will include a recommended Tuesday evening hike. On weeks when we don’t hike together, you will receive a recommendation for Sunday; for weeks we do hike together, you will receive details on that hike. All hikes come with an eguide.

Cost: $175, $295 for couples and families

More info and to sign up: Go here for Single hikers, here for Couples and Families.

Questions? Email me at joe@getgoingnc.com.Where we hike

July 6 Little River Regional Park, Durham, 4.5 miles. A good summer option: not too long, a good stretch along water, moderate climbs and all under a thick, sun- screening canopy.

August 2 Rendezvous Mountain State Natural Area, Wilkesboro, 5 miles. North Carolina’s newest addition to the State Park system offers waterfalls and a ridgeline hike along an old roadbed that catches mountain breezes on a warm August day.

September 7 Mountains-to-Sea Trail at Falls Lake, DH-R,S Redwood Road to Red Mill Road, Durham, 6 miles. A mix of forest and meadow, this hike includes a brush or two with Falls Lake, an old railroad trestle, a long-abandoned barn. Our favorite Winter Hike along Falls Lake.

October 5 Horton Grove Nature Preserve, Bahama, 4.5 miles. A GetHiking! favorite, this Triangle Land Conservancy property north of Durham is good in any season, but especially in fall, when we will catch the first signs of fall color in the Triangle.

November 2 Mountains-to-Sea Trail, DH-P (Hickory Hill Boat Ramp), 6 miles. A great trail for spotting the first trout lilies, spring beauties and other signs of emerging spring. It’s been rerouted in spots, so even if you’ve hiked this trail, if you haven’t hiked it recently you’re in for a surprise.

December 1 Butner Game Lands, Bahama, 5 miles. Part of the 40,000-acre Butner Game Lands located along the north shore of Falls Lake, we hike the Brickhouse Road parcel, which includes wide open stretches, ponds, and encounters with the Flat River and Falls Lake.

December 29 Mountains-to-Sea Trail at Falls Lake, DH-R,S Redwood Road to Red Mill Road, Durham, 6 miles. A mix of forest and meadow, this hike includes a brush or two with Falls Lake, an old railroad trestle, a long-abandoned barn. Our favorite Winter Hike along Falls Lake.

The post GetHiking! Summer/Fall 2025 Hike Series (Single Hiker) appeared first on GetGoing NC!.