Shepherd Nature Trail is a 2.4 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.
dogs on leash
kid friendly
hiking
mountain biking
nature trips
trail running
walking
bird watching
forest
river
views
wildlife
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.
Loved this trail! Hard to find because it’s hidden behind an apartment complex but if you can find it, it’s great!
great but short interpretive trail in duke forest. simple, but educational and a good look at the scope of the Piedmont. it seems some posters have missed the trail completely and only walked on the fire road. that's too bad.
great interpretive trail in Duke Forest
Perfect easy hike,
I love this trail because it's short, it's a loop, and it's usually pretty quiet. I love taking my dogs here and I like to read the labels on the trees
The whole thing a wide gravel road
Great run. Some right turns and roots that’ll test concentration. Duke Forrest never disappoints.
No good water features. 1 tiny creek. Pretty isolated except for a few spots where homes have backyards backing up to the trail.
I did not like how it took you through a random apartment complex and crossed streets. Other than that, the actual trail parts were nice.
Shepherd Nature trail is a fairly new short 0.8 mile trail in Duke Forest. They have added nature facts signage recently. Good for a nature trip, can be combined with other fire road trails to increase the distance.
Clean and quiet
We had an easy, relaxing and fun family hike here on a nice summer day last July. One of many options in the large Duke Forest.
Easy, wide gravel trail in Duke Forest. Would be good for trail running and mountain biking too
wide open
It was a great to run in this trail!
This is a very nice trail, and allows dogs on leashes.
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.
Dina P.
Fine for a local Hike......watch for dogs off Leashes. Do everyother week.
There are thousands of acres of Duke Forest in half a dozen different tracts. They all have trails. My favorites are just off Whitfield Road in the Korstian Division. Trails are well maintained; none have much elevation gain or loss.
