Let's Walk: It's Leaf Season at the NC Arboretum

Meet inside the Baker Visitor Center. Restrooms are available at the start point. We will start walking as soon as everyone has arrived.

The walk is a guided 5 KM trail. There are some moderate hills and stair climbing. A significant part of the route is on well-groomed trails with very few obstacles. Some people will want walking poles.

We will walk down Wesley Branch Trail to Bent Creek Road. Traveling down Bent Creek Road, we will loop through the Azalea Garden a little further than we usually go. The Azaleas won't be in bloom, but it will be leaf season after all. We will continue down Bent Creek Road, returning to the parking lot via Wolf Branch Road and Greenhouse Way. Before we quit, we will walk through the Bonsai Exhibition Garden and the Formal Gardens.

Dress for the weather; consider a hat and sunscreen. Sneakers should be fine, unless it has rained recently. Be sure to bring plenty of water and a protein snack.

Dogs on leash are welcome but are not allowed in buildings or in the Bonsai Exhibit. Trail strollers should be ok.

The NC Arboretum does not have an admission fee, but they charge $25 per car parking fee (so pack as many people in your car as you can). We recommend the driver purchase the lowest level annual membership which includes free parking. (Of course, you may want a higher-level membership, your choice.) We walk at the Arboretum at least six times per year.