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Glennstone Nature Preserve
4.4 ★★★★☆ 63 Google reviews · Running trail in Durham, North Carolina · Dawn to dusk
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Natural surface
- Distance
- 2 mi
- Shape
- Not reported
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Dawn to dusk
Confirmed from Glennstone Nature Preserve'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.
Hiking area featuring woods, car graveyard and fishing pond amid a nature preserve.
What runners say about Glennstone Nature Preserve
UPDATE: I HAVE FOUND THE ROOKERY and a beaver lodge. Directions below. Directions to the vehicle graveyard: the trail system has been changed and previous reviewers directions are now obsolete. Take honeysuckle path to Woodcock Trail (dark green blazes), turn left.
My dogs love the trails at Glenstone. They are well groomed and full of interesting scents and sights. After a big storm this summer knocked a tree down on the trail, I was able to get in touch with the stewards and they cleared it out right away. Great attention to our natural spaces!
This place has great trails. They are clean and we'll groomed. The signage to help you through the trails and identify what trails you are needs to be worked on. You can't tell which direction you have to go compared to the online map. It is easy to get turned around and on the wrong trail.
Glennstone Preserve is a small nature preserve managed by Ellerbe Creek Watershed Association in the Glennstone subdivision. It's open to the public, but no parking lot. You can park on Glennstone Drive in front of the gazebo.
Trail conditions & character
“Very cool nature preserve with Blue Heron overlook where you'll see these huge birds by the dozens.”
“Great place to hike and walk my dog, very convenient place to visit from Durham.”
“It's open to the public, but no parking lot.”
Plan your run at Glennstone Nature Preserve
The practical stuff
- AccessDawn to dusk — the gates close, so do not plan a run that finishes after dark
- SurfaceNatural surface — easiest on the joints and the most fun, but expect roots, rocks and mud after rain
- Distance2 mi as reported — check whether that is one way or a round trip before you commit
- ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
- At the trailheadparking — reported by runners
- DogsWelcome, per reviewers. Leash rules vary by park — the trailhead sign is the authority.
- Websiteellerbecreek.org
- Phone(919) 698-9729
- Social Instagram · Facebook
Hours
| Monday | 7 AM–8 PM |
| Tuesday | 7 AM–8 PM |
| Wednesday | 7 AM–8 PM |
| Thursday | 7 AM–8 PM |
| Friday | 7 AM–8 PM |
| Saturday | 7 AM–8 PM |
| Sunday | 7 AM–8 PM |
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.
Penny's Bend
4.5 ★★★★★ 125 reviews
Nature preserve with trails for hiking, plus fishing, and observation of native plants.
Sennett's Hole
4.5 ★★★★★ 162 reviews
Swimming basin is free to enter and features turtles.
