Your source for Mountain Biking in the Triangle
Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill
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Your source for Mountain Biking in the Triangle Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill |
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Current Trail Status
| Status | When Updated | Who Updated | More Info |  | Help keep this info accurate by clicking the red bicycle | |
| open | 03/07 10:53 am | RWarriorNC |  |
| Category | Average Rating |
| Overall : |  3.3 / 5.0 based on 20 votes |
| Technical : |  2.1 / 5.0 based on 20 votes |
| Climbing : |  1.6 / 5.0 based on 20 votes |
| Freeride : | 1.8 / 5.0 based on 20 votes |
| Scenery/Wildlife : | 3.4 / 5.0 based on 20 votes |
| Flow : | 3.4 / 5.0 based on 12 votes |
Description
Location: Southwestern Wake County
Miles: 8
Skill Level: beginner to intermediate
Contact: Park office (919) 387-4342 (call to see if trail is open)
Map
Park Hours and Fees
Directions
Rules of the Trail
Like Lake Crabtree Park,
Harris Lake's mountain bike trails are close to a lake,
made up of several loops that connect to a main trail,
and are managed by Wake County Parks. The breeze coming
across the water can be quite refreshing on a hot summer
day! The major loops here are signed as
"beginner", "intermediate" and
"advanced", and can be enjoyed by all skill
levels. A few optional "double black diamond"
loops have been added near the advanced section. This
trail has something for everyone, from the "just got
my first off-road bike" beginner to the more
seasoned rider, and all obstacles have optional
ride-arounds so that beginners and veterans can enjoy the
trails together. In short, this is just a good set of
single-track trails. Currently there is approximately 8
miles of bicycling trails.
The park is located in a flatter part of Wake County
so there aren't as many long or steep hills as some other
trails, but rest assured, the available terrain has been
used wisely. There are several log crossings, a couple of
whoopdee-doo sections and a few small bridges on the
trail.
Harris Lake County Park also has full amenities such
as restrooms, picnic shelters, play areas, Frisbee golf,
fishing locations and canoe rentals.
Check the Events calendar for upcoming races and
trail workdays at Harris Lake County Park.
Park Hours and Fees
8:00 am to sunset, seven days a week. Hours
are posted at the gate, and on the phone answering
system. The park is closed on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas
Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day.
Access to the park is free.
Directions
From Raleigh: Take 440 to US 1 South. Take US 1 12 miles
from beltline to exit 89. Take a left and go about 2
miles to the park entrance. Go to the back of the park
and turn left into the parking area. The trailhead is
labeled "Hog Run Trail".
From Durham/Ch. Hill: Take 751 past New
Hill and over US 1 (Note: road changes name a few times,
just keep on keepin' on). After
crossing over US 1 go
about 2 miles to the park entrance. Go to the back of the
park and turn left into the parking area. The trailhead
is labeled "Hog Run Trail".
This trail is not open for night riding
except under organized night ride events coordinated with
cycling clubs and park staff. Stay tuned to this site for
upcoming night rides.
Rules, guidelines, and definitions for our TriangleMTB.com trail reviews
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Just rode this trail after a 10 yr hiatus. I brought my 9 yr old out for her first mtn bike ride too. She was able to ride all the "main" trails, beginning, intermediate, expert (because of the nicely made detours around the obstacles). This wasn't a technically challenging ride but it was certainly nice and fun for everyone. The trails are mostly flat with some very small inclines that my daughter had no problem navigating. Trails are well maintained and well marked. The boardwalks and little bridges were my daughter's favorites. Overall, this is a nice and easy single track ride for the young, old, novice and expert. Best of all, for those of us with children, this is a ride that a 9 yr old can handle. If you're like my wife and I, we've been waiting a long time to take our kids mtn biking! We're planning to get to know these trails very well... Happy Riding! | ||||||||||||||||||
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The trails at Harris Lake County Park are awesome. I am very good at handling my bike, I just began riding again about 2 weeks ago and already have ridden all of the trails. The beginner loop is very easy and short (.7 miles or so). The intermediate trails are a little longer (2 miles), while the advanced long (5 miles). I think that even the advanced trail isnt that technically challenging, it is more a test of endurance. That, I think is how one should look at the rating system of the trails here. I am seriously thinking of buying a bike with at least front shocks as a good amount of these trails have some bumpy, root-filled sections. Overall, a place I will call home for a while. | ||||||||||||||||||
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Harris is a well-maintained, well-marked/mapped network of trails that provides a better-than-average range of trail options for different skill levels. The Beginner trail is as easy as it gets, a very flat path with no real challenges - perfect for exposing your young child to riding on dirt trails. The Intermediate section is a nice step up, best for older children and/or adults who are learning basic MTB riding skills. The Advanced section is mostly fairly easy/flat singletrack, but there are some excellent challenges along the way, including a steep hill or two. I consider Harris to be a step up in difficulty from LCCP, but not a big step. Compared to LCCP, the biggest difference is Harris has a LOT less traffic, surely due to its location being away from the most populated area of the Triangle. Also, I'm not sure if hiking is discouraged, but I've never seen a single hiker on the Harris Lake trails. | ||||||||||||||||||
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Harris is pretty sick! It is pretty fast and not too technical. There's lots of fun to be had over in the advanced loop about halfway through. The terrain back there is pretty wild and there are lots of whoop-de-dos to have fun with. We'll definitely go back soon! | ||||||||||||||||||
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Harris Lake is probably my second most favorite place to ride in the Triangle, next to Beaver Dam. I am not a fast rider and places like New Light and Beaver Dam really keep me right sized with my ego in regard to my riding ability. But Hog’s Run makes me feel like I am mountain biking pro! Harris Lake is fast and easy to navigate. There are no major hills and the trail is relatively free of roots and rocks. The berms on the turns are pretty stable and can support speeding bikes, too. Much like Lake Crabtree, it is a great place for beginners it does have some fun features as well. My favorites are the gully drops, whoop de doos, and black diamond sections at about the half way point near the lake. There is a nice little technical hill climb back there too. Mostly, Hog’s Run is just a place to haul ass!
Harris Lake is can give you that feeling of being deep in the woods but there are often reminders that there is a nuclear power plant close by. The worst is when the security force at the power plant is using the gun range. It starts off as alarming and then just gets annoying. Other than that, it is a very pretty setting and a great place for families, too. There are nice facilities inside of the park and plenty of parking. |
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Great trail for all skill levels. Even Beginners can negotiate the advanced section as there are ride-arounds. Nothing in the advanced section (that must be ridden) is more difficult than what is in the intermediate section.
An intermediate/advanced rider can go through this trail system in under 45 min. For a good ride, go through beg. intermediate ccw, advanced ccw then run advanced cw and intermediate cw. For a better ride just keep looping on the advanced trail and be sure an hit the small center loop with each lap. |
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