We love that William B Umstead State Park is only a 15-minute drive from downtown Raleigh, and with more than 20-miles of hiking trails it is a jewel in the heart of the Triangle region. Recently we hiked the Sycamore Trail which is the longest of the Umstead Park trails at 7.2 miles.
If you are planning to visit Raleigh (or you live in Raleigh like us) and love nature trails through the forest, don’t miss Umstead State Park, the most popular of the parks in Raleigh for hiking and down below we are sharing our experience of hiking Sycamore.
About the Sycamore Trail
- Length: 7.2 miles
- Trail type: Loop
- Elevation gain: 610 ft
- Trail difficulty: moderate hike
- Trail surface: natural surface
- Trail Blaze: Blue triangle
- Umstead Park Hours: currently 8am-8pm
This trail is open year-round and dogs are welcome, but must be kept on a leash!
If this is your first time to Umstead and you are looking for an easier and shorter hike, consider doing the Sal’s Branch Trail.
Getting to the Sycamore Trail
Located on the northeastern side of Umstead Park, to get to the Sycamore Trail drive to the park’s Crabtree Creek Entrance off US-70 (Address: 8801 Glenwood Ave).
Stop in at the visitor center and pick up a park map, and to use the bathrooms and fill up your water bottles from the water fountains outside. Also chat with a guide who can update you about any changes or closures on this trail.
Note: A storm in October, 2021, caused the bridge crossing Pat’s Branch to wash out. Because of this, that portion of Sycamore trail will be closed from the trailhead to Group Camp Road.
The trail begins behind shelter one located at the Crabtree Creek entrance. From there, a spur runs parallel to Sycamore Road and connects to the loop. Access is also available from the M.U.T. (multi-use trail) parking lot at the end of Sycamore Road – this is where we started from, enter Sycamore Parking into Google maps.
The trail follows Sycamore Creek for much of the loop, and both the trail and the creek are named for the tree growing in North Carolina’s bottomland forests.
Hiking the Sycamore Trail
Generally rated as a moderate hike, this 7.2 mile trail normally takes 2-3 hours. We did this hike on a Wednesday morning in mid-April and only passed two other people – weekends, holidays and good weather days can get busy in Umstead!
We quickly realized that although this is Umstead’s longest trail, it would be more like a walk than a hike, with gentle rises and falls in elevation and nothing too strenuous – keep in mind we have done some serious hikes in Yosemite, Glacier, Yellowstone, Grand Tetons and Zion National Parks so your perspective may differ!
There are some tree roots in sections and a little rocky here and there so watch your step and wear appropriate walking shoes, and bring your trekking poles if you are not that sure-footed.
After the first mile or so it gets more into the woods and we love walking through the backwoods among the beautiful trees. And a decent length of the trail follows Sycamore Creek making for a nice variety of landscape and adding to the pleasant, ambient noise and pretty scenery.
But a highlight was near the halfway point when we came upon the arched stone bridge.
Being fairly close to Raleigh-Durham International Airport, there is some airplane noise but overall it’s generally quiet and serene with just the sounds of nature and the Sycamore Creek.
You may spot some wildlife on the Sycamore Trail like deer and a snake or two, but we didn’t come across any – obviously it will differ by season and time of day as wildlife go about their habits.
Overall, it is a well maintained and clean trail that is well marked and as a loop we found it easy to navigate. There’s a few short inclines but nothing too strenuous and feel this is very walkable for those with an average fitness level.
But as mentioned, it is the longest trail in Umstead State Park (bring adequate water) and enough to get a decent workout without getting too tired – trail runners could get a real good workout if they ran it – and it does appear to make for a nice hike/jog combo.
NOTE: the stream where signs warn of the Potters Creek Bridge being washed out is easily crossed by rock scramble across shallow water.
Chainsaw Art on the MUT (Multi Use Trail)
We combined this trail with a viewing of the incredible Chainsaw Art in William B. Umstead State Park.
A fallen red oak tree, approximately 25 feet long and several feet high has been carved by artists Jerry Redi and Randy Boni of Smoky Mountain Art using chainsaws to cut and carve away a series of animals, tree branches and leaves into the downed tree that lays just off the Graylyn multi-use trail (if you are walking anti-clockwise on the Sycamore loop, take a right at the junction of the Graylyn MUT).
Each of the animals carved into the tree like squirrels, rabbits, swans, and owls etc can be spotted inside Umstead State Park the park. Why not take a short stop here for a photo opp, it’s pretty cool.
From the log, it is a short distance back to the beginning where we left our car!
All up, the Sycamore Trail is not very technical and a trail we’d be happy to walk numerous times in different seasons, and we’re grateful that we can go hiking right near Raleigh downtown!
As always, whether you’re hiking in Raleigh or anywhere, bring enough water to stay hydrated – we hike with our 40 oz Hydro Flasks. And you might also want to bring some insect repellent in the summer months!
Our next hike in Umstead is the stunning Loblolly Trail – our favorite.
Sycamore Trail Video
More Trails in Umstead State Park
Check out these other Umstead trails:
- Hiking the out and back Loblolly Trail
- Don’t miss the Sal’s Branch Trail
- Pott’s Branch Trail (shortest trail)
What do you think are the best trails at Umstead park that you recommend? Leave us a comment below.
And if you’re looking for more trails in Raleigh to walk, click on that link.
