Cole Mill blazed with yellow dots
This trail is a 1.2 mile loop beginning at the Cole Mill picnic area from either the south end of the parking lot or beside the southern toilet building. Most of the trail is an easy hike along the river with a short climb through the upland forest. Scenic laurel covered bluffs dominate the opposite river bank. Fishermen should be alert to crossing county lines on this trail, which are marked with signs.
Go to the www.trianglehike.com's Cole Mill trail page (external Link)
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Bobbitt Hole blazed with red dots
This trail takes you to one of the most scenic and fascinating places in the river. The river drops into Bobbitt Hole over a short rock cascade from the south and leaves in a sharp 90 degree bend to the east. On the south bank a rock outcropping stands sentinel over the hole which has been measured to 18 feet deep. The trail is a 1.65 mile loop extending the Cole Mill Trail up river, intersecting the western section of Cole Mill Trail twice. A short spur at the southern end of the Bobbitt Hole loop dead ends at the hole. Steep, laurel covered bluffs shadow the river opposite the trail. The upland trail crosses several hills and drainages.
Go to the www.trianglehike.com Bobbitt Hole trail page (external Link)
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Pea Creek blazed with blue dots
Pea Creek Trail starts at the south end of the Cole Mill parking lot, goes down to the river, follows the river under the Cole Mill Road bridge, eventually intersecting with a short loop that follows the river and Pea Creek, and returns through the upland forest. The round trip from the parking lot is 1.3 miles. Hikers can see a large outcrop called Buzzard Rock across the river from the trail, a short distance south of passing under a electrical transmission line. This hike can be lengthened by adding the Dunnagan Trail loop.
Go to the www.trianglehike.com Pea Creek trail page (external Link)
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Dunnagan blazed with red dots
This trail is accessed from the Pea Creek Trail by crossing the creek on a footbridge. From there this 1.8 mile trail is a loop with an easy 3/4 mile on the river and the remainder generally paralleling the river on the adjacent ridge. On the ridge the trail passes a cemetery and two old home sites with nothing left but large trees, exotic flowers, and the fallen stones of the chimneys. On the river the trail crosses the remnant of an old dam. A short distance east of the dam, as the trail turns northwest away from the river is a deep spot known as Bob’s Hole. Visible on the opposite shore are the decaying stone walls of Durham’s first water pumping station.
Go to www.trianglehike.com -Dunnagan trail page (external Link)

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Pump Station blazed with red dots
The Pump Station Trail is known as the best spring wildflower trail in the park. It begins at the Nancy Rhodes Creek bridge on Rivermont Road and makes a 1.5 mile loop. It is generally an easy hike with only a few gentle hills. The foundations of Durham’s first water pumping station are at the northeast section of the loop near the river. The unusually long and narrow Coon Foot Island can be viewed while hiking beside the river. This hike can be lengthened by adding the Laurel Bluffs Trail, intersecting on the east side of the loop. Laurel Bluffs blazed with yellow dots This trail starts at an intersection with the Pump Station Trail and goes east to Guess Road. It is 2.49 miles long and generally stays close to the river except for short sections where cliffs and steep bluffs force it up and around on ridges. Along the way the trail passes the chimney and foundation of an old hunting lodge, the mostly intact Guess Mill Dam, enters the millrace and comes out at the chimney at the Guess Mill site. Future plans are for Laurel Bluffs Trail to extend west to Cabelands Trail and to connect with West Point on the Eno city park trails to serve as a component of North Carolina’s Mountains to Sea Trail.
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Laurel Bluffs blazed with yellow dots
This trail starts at an intersection with the Pump Station Trail and goes east to Guess Road. It is 2.49 miles long and generally stays close to the river except for short sections where cliffs and steep bluffs force it up and around on ridges. Along the way the trail passes the chimney and foundation of an old hunting lodge, the mostly intact Guess Mill Dam, enters the millrace and comes out at the chimney at the Guess Mill site. Future plans are for Laurel Bluffs Trail to extend west to Cabelands Trail and to connect with West Point on the Eno city park trails to serve as a component of North Carolina’s Mountains to Sea Trail.
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