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Cabelands Trail

4.7 ★★★★★ 90 Google reviews · Running trail in Durham, North Carolina · Posted hours

Runner's snapshot

Surface
Natural surface
Distance
Not reported
Shape
Not reported
Shade
Not reported
Access
Posted hours

Confirmed from Cabelands Trail's own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.

Natural surfaceLit at nightScenicDog-friendlyHillyTrailhead parkingMile markers

Hiking area with well-marked trails of varied terrain, including one along the river.

What runners say about Cabelands Trail

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (90 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

🏞️ beautiful scenery 4 mentions

“Gorgeous view of the river and quarry.”

🪧 well-marked 3 mentions

“The paths are well worn, but not well marked.”

This place is very cool, loved it. There is a trail to hike around or you can go directly to the quarry. The quarry is really nice and fun. I highly recommend bringing floaties or a life jacket or you will basically be treading water the whole time.

★★★★★ — Maegan , Aug 2021

Secluded, quiet trail through Eno River State Park. Dense trees & some decent elevation change. Would recommend hiking boots just for added grip.

★★★★★ — Andrew , Dec 2021

This park has a very nice trails through the woods and along the Eno River. The paths are well worn, but not well marked. We appreciated the trail map at the parking lot, it helped us decide which trail to take. The are good signs at the trail heads. We started at the parking lot on Howe Street and walked the 1.

★★★★★ — Sal , Dec 2018

Gorgeous any time of year! Nice changes in elevation get the heart rate up without needing to stop to catch your breath. Look out for rocks and roots, but that's standard for all Eno River trails.

★★★★★ — Emily , Mar 2023

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 90 reviews →

Trail conditions & character

What this trail is actually like underfoot and overhead, taken from its own listing and from reviews. Each one links to every other trail with the same character. Busy or quiet is reported as a plain fact, not a plus or a minus — a runner heading out alone at dawn often wants company on the path, and someone running intervals wants an empty one.

🏞️ Scenic views 6 mentions

“Gorgeous view of the river and quarry.”

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🅿️ Trailhead parking 5 mentions

“We appreciated the trail map at the parking lot, it helped us decide which trail to take.”

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🌲 Natural surface / singletrack 3 mentions

“Look out for rocks and roots, but that's standard for all Eno River trails.”

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⛰️ Hills / elevation 3 mentions

“Be warned there are a few steep spots but as with all EnoRiver trails the trail stewards do an amazing job of keeping it maintained”

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📏 Mile markers 3 mentions

“The paths are well worn, but not well marked.”

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🐕 Dog-friendly 2 mentions

“We will definitely return with our dog since the trails were not crowded and bikes are not allowed.”

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💡 Lit for night running

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Plan your run at Cabelands Trail

The practical stuff

  • AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
  • SurfaceNatural surface — easiest on the joints and the most fun, but expect roots, rocks and mud after rain
  • DistanceNot reported. Trail systems often quote total path mileage rather than a single loop, so measure the route you actually want before you drive out.
  • ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
  • LightingRunners report lights on the path — useful for pre-dawn and after-work miles. Lighting and opening hours are separate things, so check both.
  • At the trailheadparking — reported by runners
  • DogsWelcome, per reviewers. Leash rules vary by park — the trailhead sign is the authority.
  • Websitencparks.gov
  • Phone(919) 383-1686

Hours

Monday 8:30 AM–8:30 PM
Tuesday 8:30 AM–8:30 PM
Wednesday 8:30 AM–8:30 PM
Thursday 8:30 AM–8:30 PM
Friday 8:30 AM–8:30 PM
Saturday 8:30 AM–8:30 PM
Sunday 8:30 AM–8:30 PM

Posted hours for the park or trailhead. Gates and parking lots often close earlier than the trail itself, and seasonal hours change — worth a check before a pre-dawn or after-dark run.

Where to find Cabelands Trail

4950 Howe St, Durham, NC 27705

Get directions

Running trails near Durham

Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.

Duke Forest

4.7 ★★★★★ 450 reviews

Durham, NC

Crushed gravelScenicDog-friendly

Over 7,000 acres of land maintained by Duke University for teaching, research & recreational use.

1.4 miles away

Pump Station Trail

4.8 ★★★★★ 121 reviews

Durham, NC

LoopNatural surfaceScenicDog-friendly

Park, hiking area, and trail offering ruins of a pump station and hiking trails.

1.9 miles away

Duke Forest - Shepherd Nature Trail

4.6 ★★★★★ 66 reviews

Durham, NC

0.8 miLoopDog-friendly

Short, self-guided hiking trail looping through Duke Forest with informational signs on trees.

2.1 miles away

Eno River State Park

4.8 ★★★★★ 2,650 reviews

Durham, NC

LoopNatural surfaceLitScenic

Vast acres of woodlands for hiking & camping, with canoeing & fishing areas on the Eno River.

2.8 miles away

Buckquarter Creek Trailhead

4.8 ★★★★★ 80 reviews

Durham, NC

1.5 miLoopNatural surfaceShaded

Shallow river known for its rapids and waterfalls, plus easy to moderate trails for hiking and swimming.

2.9 miles away

Brumley Nature Preserve Expansion

4.9 ★★★★★ 19 reviews

Durham, NC

2.9 miles away

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Nearby towns

Listing verified July 2026 from public records, the trail's own website and runner reviews. Trail conditions change — paths flood, gates close at dusk, and shaded woods stay muddy for days after rain. Something out of date? Report a correction. Manage this trail? Send us the details — it is free.