These trails were made for walking: 7 nature getaways for New Bern hikers

Craven County and the surrounding area is a veritable paradise for walking trail enthusiasts and nature devotees of all ages and experience levels.

In addition to providing an invigorating way to enjoy the region’s national forests, trail walking also offers an isolated but relatively accessible route for those looking to shed a few pounds.

For trail seekers, local parks and nature preserves offer a bounty of options for both the fleet of foot and the slow and steady ambler.

Here are seven of our area’s top walking trails, for both beginners and experienced trekkers.

Latham-Whitehurst Nature Park -1095 Broad Creek Rd., New Bern

One of the newest parks in Craven County opened to visitors in 2011. Located in a quiet eastern section of New Bern a few miles from Fairfield Harbour, the park is a popular destination for wildlife fans of all varieties, including hikers, kayakers, birdwatchers, and fishermen.

Lathan-Whitehurst Nature Park comprises 133 acres of pristine coastal land and features a series of nature trails that range from .16 miles to .8 miles. The trails offer a range of amenities, including a 2,000-foot boardwalk overlooking Broad Creek, restroom facilities, and picnic shelters.

New Bern Battlefield Park - 300 Battlefield Trail, New Bern

Located in Taberna off of U.S. 70, Battlefield Park includes over 30 acres of original Civil War battlefield. The ground where nearly one-third of the Battle of New Bern occurred is in near pristine condition, allowing visitors to walk in the footsteps of Confederate and Union soldiers who faced off on March 14, 1862.

Around the park’s visitors center and along the battlefield trails are arrayed 36 interpretive panels that recount the impact of the Civil War on the city’s inhabitants and infrastructure. The Gateway Plaza at the trailhead provides seating for interpretive talks and serves to orient visitors with a 20-foot concrete color-coded ground map and signage, providing an overview of the entire Battle of New Bern and a starting point for the guided and self-guided tours.

Flanners Beach Walking Trail, off U.S. 70 S., New Bern

Just down the road from Battlefield Park on U.S. 70, walkers can stretch their legs on an accessible one-mile trail that winds through the mixed pine-hardwood forest near the Flanners Beach campground and picnic area. More than five additional miles are also available to bikers and hikers, but no motorized vehicles or horses are allowed.

Lawson Creek Park - 1309 Country Club Rd., New Bern

One of New Bern’s most popular summertime boating sites, Lawson Creek Park also features a .8-mile trail with views of Lawson Creek, the Trent River and surrounding nature. Walkers will encounter a mix of wooden walkways, gravel and grass as the trail winds through the park, which encompasses 140 acres located west of Tryon Palace.

In addition to the walking trail, Lawson Creek Park has two boat launches, restroom facilities, two shelters, two soccer fields and fishing piers. In the middle of the park, Jack’s Island contains a walkway with picnic tables, grills and parking.

Glenburnie Park Trail - 340 Glenburnie Park Drive

Located along the Neuse River, the 0.8-mile trail offers hilly terrain and trees draped in flowing Spanish Moss. The trail encircles the perimeter of the park, once the site of a WWII POW camp, and winds through woods for scenic views of the river.

Additional activities within the park include an 18-hole Frisbee golf course, a separate dog park and a playground for young visitors. The boat landing within the park is one of the city's most popular spots for kayakers, fishermen and anyone looking to enjoy a sunset over the Neuse.

Mountain to Sea Trail, Neusiok Trail - 2945 NC-101, Havelock

One of the star attractions of North Carolina’s Mountain to Sea Trail, the 21-mile Neusiok Trail is the longest hiking path in eastern North Carolina. The western end of the Neusiok is at Pine Cliff Recreation Area on the Neuse River, and the trail continues to Oyster Point Campground on the Newport River. Between are pine forests and cypress swamps, boot-grabbing bogs and sandy beach

Boardwalks have been built over many of the boggiest areas, while three primitive shelters offer camping opportunities for families. In between the trails and forest roads of the Croatan, the trail takes hikers past the Newport Historical Museum and its park.

Island Creek Forest Walking Trail - Island Creek Rd., Pollocksville

The Island Creek Forest Walking Trail,  a 3.7-mile loop located in Pollocksville, is one of the shorter hikes in the Croatan Forest. The forest contains a variety of natural habitats, including freshwater pocosin (an Eastern Algonquian word meaning “swamp on a hill”), longleaf pine savanna, and saltwater marsh and is home to a wide range of wildlife, such as waterfowl, deer, bears, snakes, and alligators.

The area is also known for its population of carnivorous, or insect-eating, plants, including the pitcher plant and the Venus flytrap.

This article originally appeared on Sun Journal: These trails were made for walking: 7 getaways for New Bern hikers