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Harris Lake County Park: Hog Run Trail

Current Trail Status
 StatusWhen UpdatedWho UpdatedMore InfoHelp keep this info accurate by clicking the red bicycle
  open03/07 10:53 amRWarriorNC

Average ratings submitted by users                     Write a review   User submitted reviews
CategoryAverage 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".

Driving Directions via Yahoo


Rules of the trails

 


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.








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Harris Park trail has been reviewed 20 times by our trianglemtb.com guests.

Reviewed by:slirty
Reviewed on:03/08/2010
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Reviewed by:SwiftCreek
Reviewed on:10/05/2009
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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!
Reviewed by:Stumpjumper
Reviewed on:09/03/2009
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Reviewed by:drgrace
Reviewed on:07/15/2009
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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.
Reviewed by:quisk
Reviewed on:06/23/2009
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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.
Reviewed by:ttucker
Reviewed on:06/19/2009
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Reviewed by:jcw5002
Reviewed on:05/09/2009
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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!
Reviewed by:vulcangreen
Reviewed on:04/27/2009
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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.
Reviewed by:IMHO
Reviewed on:04/20/2009
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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.
Reviewed by:drfloyd5
Reviewed on:04/17/2009
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