Morrow Mountain Trail is a 5.3 mile heavily trafficked out and back trail located near Albemarle, North Carolina that features a lake and is rated as moderate. The trail is primarily used for hiking, nature trips, horses, and mountain biking and is accessible year-round. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash.
Users are likely to see deer, turtles, birds, and other small wildlife on the hike up to the overlook. Once there, the view of the Pee Dee river and Lake Tillery are amazing. It is an easy hike each way, with the exception of the last part leading to the overlook, which can be slippery.
Try to park near one of the Family Camping areas, near the Rocks trail head (see attached map). If you park at swimming pool (easy to find) take Campground trail (white triangles) to road, turn rt, and then look for the blue square blazes on left side of road.
Morrow Mountain State Park 49104 Morrow Mountain Road Albemarle, NC 28001 (704) 982-4402 morrow.mountain@ncparks.gov www.ncparks.gov North Carolina Div. Of Travel and Tourism, 301 N. Wilmington Street , Raleigh, NC, 27601, Phone: 919-733-4171
Directions from Albemarle, NC: Travel six miles east of Albemarle on NC 740. Turn right (east) onto Morrow Mountain Road and take it into the park. Travel past the park gate and the park residences. The road will fork and you will want to bear right. Follow the park road to the parking and picnic area at the base of Morrow Mountain. You may begin the trail there. Also, you may access this trail from Sugarloaf Mountain Trail which begins by the museum.
you build up a sweat going up but the way down is all downhill. The only views are pretty much at the top
the trail was clear and well marked, maps along the way were super helpful. our 6 year old did good and we had out 1 ½ year old in her carrier. The final push up the Morrow Mountain Trail is not for the faint of heart, the views were great tho
There is a lot of ups and downs on the trail the top part gets kind of strenuous!
The trail is well marked and the surface is usually good, except for a few boggy spots. The last quarter mile or so is extremely steep and should be so noted in the description.
Super, good moderate level. Foliage is showing off, on a few hikers.
Trail Muddy from all the rain. I’d rate it strenuous given the last half mile steep incline to the top of Morrow. A great workout
Tough trails. Confusing split at the top. Take the split towards the office.
Fantastic hike! If you are looking to pace a time faster than 20 min a mile beware on the hike back up to Morrow Mountain lookout. It can be pretty tough!
Did ( from the summit- summit vista) descent on Morrow Mtn trail, picked up the short loop. The short loop did not offer much interest other than solitude- did not see anyone until it intersected again with the Morrow Mountain trail. From the Short loop took the Morrow Mountain Trail- ascending to the summit which is < mile but a challenging ascent. I agree some switchbacks would be helpful!
The last stretch was definitely steep and a bit slippery due to more rocks on the trail. Most of the trail was easy to navigate but some areas with extra water, or steep slopes were a bit tricky with the younger kids and my dogs who were not happy about being on a leash.
Came from South Carolina, nice to have an actual mountain to hike up. Opposed to short flat walks through the woods.