GetHiking! Horton Grove Nature Preserve

We love hiking on our land trust properties, lands that have been deemed special, lands that have been saved by local land trusts, lands that have been opened to recreation, especially hiking. As Land Trust Day approaches (it's June 1), we're hiking more of our local land trust lands in recognition of the great work the state's 23 land trusts do.

Sunday, we're going to love the Triangle Land Conservancy's Horton Grove Nature Preserve in northern Durham County. It's one of our Triangle area favorites, but we almost always hike it in spring, fall or winter. This time we see what the 700-acre preserve is like on the cusp of summer.

We'll start on the Holman Loop to see what late-season wildflowers may be in bloom, then continue on the Hart Trail to the Justice Loop, perhaps our favorite part of the hike as the trail climbs high above small creek. We cross Jock Road for a long saunter on the Walker Trail with a finish on the Peaks Loop through a beech grove climbing an east-facing bluff.

Total distance is about 4.5 miles. The terrain is rolling, with no steep climbs. There is brief exposure at the beginning; sunscreen and a parasol may be in order. Difficulty? Mmm, probably moderately easy, though it could be more challenging in heat and depending upon your condition.

This hike concludes with a frozen confection at the finish.