Shepherd Nature Trail is a 0.7 mile moderately trafficked loop trail located near Durham, North Carolina that features a river and is good for all skill levels. The trail offers a number of activity options and is accessible year-round. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash.
Lovely trail natural but still somewhat maintained. Easy rolling hills along both sides of a stream. Nice educational placards.
Great little trail for a hot day in the summer. There was no water in the stream as it hasn’t rained for a little while. Parking where the app tells you to do is just fine
There is some confusion with access and trail name it seems. This trail can be easily accessed from Hwy 751 with parking along the road (no need to park in the apt complex). Also, I think the interpretive single track Shephard Nature trail loop is just a short .25-.5 mile loop on the north side of the larger 2.4 mile gravel road loop that is listed here.
I had a hard time finding this, but if you drive in the apartment complex and go to apt #800 and park there, you'll see a blue sign in the woods. Walk that to the right all the way to Shepherds Nature Trail. You COULD park at Hollow Rock Park and cross the street, walk that path till you come to a fork and take the left to go up to the trail. I checked with the office and it was fine to park as long as you don't park in a reserved parking spot. The trail was very nice with lots of information which would be great for kids and people that love local history. The only muddy part is walking up the apartment complex into the woods.
The Korstian division is probably the largest tract -- it offers many options of varying length and difficulty. The walks along New Hope Creek are great from November to May, otherwise may want to stick to the popular trails unless you don't mind chiggers. There's a nice ascent up Piney Mtn which can be reached most quickly from Mt Sinai or Irwin Rd trailheads.