7 Spectacular Fall Hikes Near Winston-Salem

With loads of natural beauty and three state parks in our backyard, Winston-Salem is the perfect home base for outdoor adventures during the fall. Come along for a tour of seven great hiking spots in our area, all less than an hour from downtown.  Each of the following trails is pet-friendly, postcard-worthy, and bursting with color during the fall season. Happy trails!

In Town Treks: Spectacular Fall Hikes in Forsyth County

Reynolda Gardens 

When it comes to stunning fall scenery, you can’t do much better than the trails at Reynolda Gardens (pictured above), the former estate of tobacco tycoon R.J. Reynolds. Several paths meander through the historic grounds, traveling through woodlands, wetlands, and rolling fields. For a quick walk, take the Reynolda Walking Trail (0.25 miles) that links Reynolda Village to the Wake Forest University campus (voted the prettiest fall campus in America by Best College Reviews). The paved pathway travels through a wetlands area and over the Lake Katherine Bridge, where you’ll get an up-close look at Reynolda’s waterfall. Take the Perimeter Trail (1.7 miles) for a longer walk, which loops around the entire 130-acre estate. 

• Good to know: Reynolda sits adjacent to another of one of the city’s most scenic walking spots, Graylyn. The castle-like estate is less than a 5-minute trek across Reynolda Road from Reynolda, making it easy to extend your hike.

Salem Lake

Just minutes from downtown, this popular 7.1-mile loop wraps around the edges of Salem Lake, creating some incredible panoramas along the way. As one of the most popular outdoor attractions in the city, you'll share the path with joggers, bikers, and even the occasional horseback rider. But the path's double-track width means there's plenty of room for everybody. If you aren't quite up for the full loop, you've got a few options. (Our suggestion is to park at the marina and head counter-clockwise, then turn around at the first of nine tributaries about 1.5 miles away, where you can relax on the bench or skip rocks before turning back.) The trail connects to the equally scenic Salem Creek Greenway, which leads to several other trails worth exploring, including Long Branch Trail and the Downtown Strollway.

• Good to know: Many people love to kayak or bring their Jon boats, as Salem Lake offers a free boat launch from its marina. Kayak rentals are also available at the marina through Oct. 1. 

Tanglewood Park

With nearly 1,100 acres of rolling hills and forests, there’s plenty to explore at Tanglewood, a popular park in the suburb of Clemmons (10 miles west of downtown). The park's towering mix of trees creates a dazzling mix of fall colors, making it one of Piedmont's most popular fall spots. Most walkers opt for the park’s 2.2-mile, multi-use trail, paved path through pastures, hardwood forests, horse stables, and Tanglewoof Dog Park. Kiosks along the route provide info on other points of interest inside the park, including Tanglewood’s always-lovely Arboretum. Tanglewood charges $2 per car to enter the park. (Though it’s worth noting, both trails mentioned above can be accessed without passing through the park’s main gate.

• Good to know: If you want a quick, kid-friendly trek, check out the Little Walden Nature Trail. This hidden gem of a trail is a 0.9-mile loop that takes under 30 minutes to complete. Along the way, you'll pass several small gardens, historic outbuildings, colorful foliage, and a small stream where kids can wade into the water.

Horizons Park

Nestled in northern Forsyth County less than 20 minutes from downtown, Horizons Park offers a tranquil escape for nature lovers. This 160-acre park features rolling hills, scenic overlooks, and a variety of hiking trails. Explore the park's diverse ecosystems along the Horizons Park Loop, which features two different hikes (Loop A and Loop B) that are just over 2.5 miles combined and take around an hour to complete. The scenery is accented with bright red barns, trickling streams, rolling meadows, an old cemetery, and distant views of Pilot and Sauratown Mountain. 

• Good to know: You have to walk part of Loop A to get to Loop B, and the trails are surprisingly different in terms of terrain. While Loop A (1 mile) is an easy stroll through the woods, Loop B (1.2 miles) gets a bit wild and features a few steep hills. 

Looking for other great in-town trails? Check out our round-up of the Top Walking Trails in Winston-Salem

Worth the Drive: Stunning State Parks in our Backyard

Pilot Mountain State Park

Located just half an hour from downtown, Pilot Mountain is among the most visited state parks in the state — and for good reason. Known for its iconic peak (a perfect backdrop for pictures), Pilot Mountain offers miles of winding trails to take in stunning views year-round. With nearly a dozen different hiking trails, you can choose your own adventure from beginner to advanced. For a moderate challenge, the Grindstone Trail is a top pick. This 2.2-mile trail is moderately difficult and takes you through scenic woodlands and rocky terrain, leading to breathtaking views of the Big Pinnacle. For those short on time, the Jomeokee Trail is a great option. This moderate 0.9-mile loop circles the base of Pilot Mountain's iconic peak, offering panoramic vistas and an up-close view of the peak. If you want to learn more about the park's hikes, stop by the new Visitor Center (a must-see spot itself) and pick up a map that includes details on the various trails, including miles and hiking times.

• Good to know: Pilot Mountain gets packed during weekends, often leading to a jammed parking lot at the summit. The park began offering a shuttle on weekends during the peak season to remedy this. If you arrive after 10 a.m., you must park at the Visitor’s Center and ride the shuttle to the summit. (You can also hike up to the peak from the Visitor Center.) 

Hanging Rock State Park

Twisted pathways lead to awe-inspiring waterfalls at Hanging Rock, just 40 minutes from downtown Winston-Salem. It's among the most scenic fall destinations in the state, offering trails for all skill levels. While the Hanging Rock Trail gets most of the attention, the Moore’s Knob Lookout Trail is a must-try for those seeking a rewarding challenge with slightly less crowds. This 4.3-mile loop takes you through forests and past streams before reaching the highest point in the park—Moore’s Knob. At the summit, an observation tower offers panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and vibrant fall foliage, making the climb well worth the effort. The Wolf Rock Trail is an excellent option for a shorter, moderate hike. This 1.5-mile round trip takes hikers to Wolf Rock, a large, flat rock with sweeping views of the Sauratown Mountains. If waterfalls are more your style, the Hidden and Window Falls via Indian Creek Trail offers a scenic 3.4-mile hike ideal for nature lovers. 

• Good to know: First-time visitors should know that parking can fill up quickly on weekends, so plan to arrive early if you’re going during the peak season months (especially the fall).

Stone Mountain State Park

Located less than an hour from Winston-Salem, Stone Mountain features some of the best hiking trails in the Southeast. The park's signature trail is the moderately strenuous Stone Mountain Loop, a 4.5-mile trek that leads to the top of the 600-foot granite dome. Along the way, you'll encounter a towering 200-foot waterfall, a historic homestead, and a picturesque rolling meadow before ascending the summit, where a postcard-worthy view awaits. Other popular trails here include Wolf Rock, Cedar Rock, and Black Jack Ridge, all offering plenty of amazing views. Another thing we love about Stone Mountain is that it’s typically far less crowded than the other two state parks on our list. Even in the afternoons on a weekend, you won’t be surrounded by swarms of people, and parking is never an issue. 

• Good to know: There are two parking areas: an Upper and Lower Lot. We like parking in the Lower Lot, which makes the trek up Stone Mountain a bit easier since you're descending the last half of the hike. The other three trails mentioned are also accessible from the Lower Lot.