This year, the town of Cary reached a literal milestone for its extensive greenway system: 100 miles of greenways. I’ve been on the vast majority of the greenways at this point, and the more time I spend on them, the more I appreciate the trail system.
In the Triangle area, only Raleigh has more miles in its greenway system. Other towns and cities are a fraction of that. This guide will help you start exploring the vast system of greenways in our own backyards.
The Cary Greenways Origin Story
In 1976, the Town of Cary Greenway Commission was created as a response to a concerned citizen who noticed a high school track team had to run on a busy road as part of their training route. Three years later, in 1979, the first greenway (a mere 0.15 miles) was open to the public.
That initial greenway trail was called “Tarbert-Gatehouse Greenway,” referencing the roads that it cut across. Today, that same greenway has expanded and turned into what we know now as the Annie Jones Greenway.
Annie Jones was a Town of Cary employee who wore many hats, and under former mayor Fred G. Bond’s leadership, the town decided to rename the greenway after her.
Greenway Basics
All Cary greenways:
- Are open from dawn to dusk
- Allow leashed dogs
- Allow bikes
- Allow e-bikes (must pedal to engage the motor, speed limit of 15 MPH)
- Are paved
The length of a Cary greenway can range from just 0.2 miles to 7.4 miles. Some are accessible from parks, while others are located inside neighborhoods. Some feel like you’re deep in the woods even though you’re in the middle of town. Others run right alongside a lake. Some are tucked inside neighborhoods and barely anybody uses them. Others are busy enough on a weekend morning that you’ll be dodging strollers the whole way.
In this guide, greenways are separated into categories to help you explore the trails, from the major arteries of the system to lake views, quieter routes, and unique features, so that you can find exactly what you’re looking for (or avoid what you don’t want to deal with).
The Big Ones
White Oak Creek Greenway
Length: 7.38 miles
Starting point: Fred G. Bond Metro Park (801 High House Road, Cary)
Best for: Running, biking, long walks
Avoid if: You want to stay away from crowds (this is probably Cary’s busiest greenway, with peak times during the weekend)
On the route: You’ll encounter wooded paths, boardwalk bridges, a beautiful pond with a fountain, a secret path for beer and Mexican food (more on that later), and much more.
Connections: If you are looking to get even more distance than the approximately 15-mile roundtrip, White Oak Creek connects directly to the American Tobacco Trail, a 22-mile-long path that will bring you all the way to Durham.
What else: If you’re looking to do a relaxing bike ride, this is your spot. It’s mostly flat, takes a good amount of time to complete, and you get some really beautiful sights along the way.
One section of White Oak Creek has an optional detour that brings you to a plaza that houses the uber popular Apex Mezcalito (Mexican restaurant) and Bottle Theory, a pet-friendly taproom (and cafe on the weekends!). You will notice a sign along the greenway, along with a small path leading you to the plaza (you can view a rough location of the spot on Google Maps here).
If you have people from out of town visiting, this is the best showcase of the Cary greenway system.
Black Creek Greenway
Length: 7.1 miles
Starting point: Bond Park (801 High House Road, Cary, NC 27513) OR Old Reedy Creek Trailhead (2139 Old Reedy Creek Road, Cary).
Best for: Biking, lake views, hills
Avoid if: You don’t want to deal with hills (whether you’re cycling or on foot, your thighs are going to be feeling it in some sections)
Cary’s second-longest greenway, Black Creek Greenway has a lot to offer.
One important note: Part of the greenway starting from Old Reedy Creek Trailhead to near Lake Crabtree is under maintenance and will be closed until winter 2027. Keep an eye on updates here.
On the route: While White Oak Creek is pretty much a straight shot, Black Creek Greenway is interconnected through widened sidewalks, street crossings, and quiet wooded passages.
One minute, you will be on the sidewalk of a busy road, and the next will look like you are in the middle of a forest. It’s very easy to follow, but it definitely doesn’t have as smooth of transitions as White Oak Creek.
Despite this, Black Creek Greenway is still one of the best Cary has to offer. Many parts of it are absolutely stunning, from bridges over creeks, views of Lake Crabtree (and a connection to its greenway), quiet spots in the woods, and much more.
Connections: Similar to White Oak Creek and its connection to Mezcalito and Bottle Theory, Black Creek Greenway has an optional detour that connects you directly to a small plaza that hosts Starbucks, Jimmy John’s, a barbershop, and a traditional Japanese food spot. You can find the entrance here.
What else: It’s a bit more challenging than White Oak Creek due to the hills and the fact that it isn’t as straight of a shot, but it is absolutely worth doing.
Lake Views
Symphony Lake Greenway
Length: 1.8 miles
Starting point: Koka Booth Amphitheatre (8003 Regency Parkway, Cary)
Best for: Relaxing walks around the lake
Avoid if: There’s an event going on in Koka Booth Amphitheatre (part of the trail will close)
Symphony Lake Greenway is a beautiful loop around the small lake that is adjacent to Koka Booth Amphitheatre. Depending on the time of year, you’ll likely see lots of turtles, ducks, and rabbits.
It’s usually pretty quiet. When there is not an event going on, you can park over at Koka Booth and follow the signs to the trail.
Cary Park Lake Greenway
Length: 1.9 miles
Starting point: Via Cary Glen Boulevard (Google Maps link), Cary, street parking only.
Best for: Quiet lake views, neighborhood-feel
Avoid if: The lack of parking stresses you out
Cary Park Lake Greenway is a wonderful path that goes along (you guessed it) Cary Park Lake and Panther Creek. To make it a full loop, it naturally connects to Panther Creek Greenway and is a peaceful stroll.
This is a neighborhood greenway, meaning there is no park or dedicated parking lot that connects you to it. Street parking and sidewalks can lead you there, but make sure you are respectful of the neighbors and don’t block any driveways.
Panther Creek Greenway
Length: 2.6 miles
Starting point: Neighborhood Park on Carpenter Fire Station Road (7119 Carpenter Fire Station Road, Cary).
Best for: Connecting to Cary Park Lake, wandering after visiting a park
Avoid if: You don’t like kids (lots of younger families use this greenway)
Panther Creek Greenway is recently extended (the town’s official website hasn’t even been updated) and connects from the newer Neighborhood Park at Carpenter Fire Station Road all the way to Cary Park Lake.
It’s pretty and covered by mature trees. If you haven’t checked out the new park, this is a great excuse to do so, and it has plenty of parking. There’s even a misting station to help you cool off during the hot summer days.
Morris Branch Greenway
Length: 2 miles
Starting point: On-street parking only (Ashdown Forest Lane is dependable)
Best for: Stunning water views and a sizable loop.
Avoid if: You’re not a Canada Goose fan (lots on this greenway)
The Morris Branch Greenway is a lovely 2-mile stroll featuring some stunning lake views (with a fountain in the middle). This is another neighborhood greenway, so it is quiet and peaceful.
The greenway connects to Amberly Lake Greenway (you have to follow a sidewalk for the full connection, hard to miss). If you follow the full loop, you’ll be able to see the lake from all angles.
Speight Branch Greenway
Length: 1.3 miles
Starting point: The Lodge at Crossroads (200 Brisbane Woods Way, Cary)
Best for: A fairly quick lake loop
Avoid if: It’s late in the afternoon (it can get buggy)
Speight Branch Greenway, which begins at The Lodge at Crossroads apartment complex and ends close to the Lochmere area, starts alongside Macedonia Lake and turns into an underground tunnel that leads to a wooded path.
However, if you choose to continue alongside the lake, you will eventually connect to the Macedonia Lake Loop Trail, which will allow you to see all of the lake.
If you’re lucky, you can even spot otters swimming in the lake!
Quieter Spots
Northwoods Greenway
Length: 0.9 miles
Starting point: Robert V. Godbold Park (400 NW Maynard Road, Cary)
Best for: A shaded forest walk that feels like you’re in the middle of nowhere (even though you’re smack in the center of Cary)
Avoid if: You want a loop (it’s out and back)
Northwoods Greenway is a calm and shady path that takes you from Robert V. Godbold Park (which intersects with Black Creek Greenway) all the way to Northwoods Elementary School.
It’s a great path to walk your dog, not only because the shade makes it pleasant for warmer summer days, but also because a dog park is located near the entrance.
The first thing you’ll notice about this greenway is how quiet it is. While you may sometimes pass other people, it wouldn’t be unusual for you to pass more deer than humans while you walk on the trail.
Annie Jones Greenway
Length: 1.2 Miles
Starting point: Annie Jones Park (1414 Tarbert Drive, Cary)
Best for: A quiet, wooded walk with a good story
Avoid if: You want some distance (this loop is fairly quick)
As mentioned in the intro, the Annie Jones Greenway was the start of Cary’s extensive greenway system. Annie Jones Park has plenty of parking (and bathrooms!), which makes it accessible whether you live next door or 10 miles away.
This is a straightforward loop. It is peaceful and flat enough for any age to enjoy.
Pirates Cove Greenway
Length: 0.7 miles
Starting point: Greenwood Circle (street parking near the intersection of Vickie Drive and Greenwood Circle)
Best for: Pairing with Hinshaw Greenway for a solid loop through eastern Cary
Avoid if: You’re looking for something more dramatic (it’s fairly simple)
Pirates Cove is a path on the quieter eastern side of Cary that many people only discover because they live next to it.
The trail runs south from Greenwood Circle along a wooded stream edge, and near the bottom you can connect through MacDonald Woods Park after crossing through neighborhoods. There, you can pick up Hinshaw Greenway heading back north.
Unique Features
Higgins Greenway
Length: 1.5 miles
Starting point: You may start at Cary Arts Center (101 Dry Ave, Cary), follow the sidewalk down Kildaire Farm Road until you see the opening on the right)
Best for: Extending your time downtown
Avoid if: Cemeteries make you uncomfortable
Higgins Greenway begins right outside of Cary Elementary School and goes all the way to SW Maynard. It is unique for two reasons: it is the only greenway that goes into downtown, and it passes alongside a cemetery.
The trees are tall and close together, and a good chunk of the path runs alongside a stream. It is a popular greenway for runners due to its length (out and back from the Cary Arts Center is roughly a 5K), and it truly feels like you are a world away from the urban downtown.
It is all downhill until you reach a little beyond the halfway point, which means it is a climb coming back up. If you are running or biking, be prepared for some steep sections.
Hinshaw Greenway
Length: 1.7 miles
Starting point: Marla Dorrel Park (11 Thurston Drive, Cary)
Best for: Getting a unique view above the highway
Avoid if: You need a flat route
Hinshaw is perhaps the most unique Cary greenway due to its pedestrian bridge that sits above U.S. Highway 1/64. You can look down and see the cars flying by (or sitting in traffic) and then walk for one more minute and be in the middle of a quiet forest.
You also pass not one, but two playgrounds along the greenway (one at the beginning, and another halfway through). Kids love this one.
Stone Creek Greenway
Length: 0.6 miles
Starting point: Stone Creek Shopping Center (101 Ledgestone Way, Cary, Google Maps coordinates to the entrance of the greenway)
Best for: Enjoying coffee or a snack while you walk
Avoid if: You want a traditional greenway experience
This greenway really just exists to connect a community of homes to a shopping center, but it is useful even if you don’t live there.
Stone Creek Village has a lot of different options for food, snacks, and drinks. If you are looking for a nice little stroll while you enjoy your treat, pair it with a walk on this greenway. It is short, but still surrounded by trees, and there are benches scattered throughout.
What is your favorite greenway? Share with The Line at line@theassemblync.com.
James Tuliano is the writer and operator of The Cary Report newsletter.
