GetHiking! A mellow hike at the Confluence Natural Area

The Eno River Association is one of those land trusts whose work frequently flies under the radar. If you've ever hiked in Eno River State Park, or at Little River Regional Park, you've likely hiked on trail preserved by the ERA. Their modus operandi has been to buy land in the Eno watershed, then eventually turn it over to North Carolina State Parks.

Until this year. This spring, the ERA opened the 200-acre Confluence Natural Area where the east and west branches of the Eno meet, in Orange County. We'll hike a little more than 2 miles on the new network of trail that opened this spring.

This hike is an especially good opportunity for anyone who likes to savor the scenery, take pictures, not rush things.