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Neuse River Trail - Capital Area Greenway
4.8 ★★★★★ 227 Google reviews · Running trail in Raleigh, North Carolina · Posted hours
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Not reported
- Distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Not reported
- Shade
- Tree cover
- Access
- Posted hours
Confirmed from Neuse River Trail - Capital Area Greenway'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.
Walking and running route that’s mostly shaded and leads to a sunflower field.
What runners say about Neuse River Trail - Capital Area Greenway
“Great, well maintained trail!”
“This was our first time visiting this section of the Neuse River Trail and I have to say it's probably the most scenic route of them all.”
“If you go to the right it seems a little less shaded.”
“No weird smells the whole time, not crowded like other trails we have done, and no real issues with bugs.”
“It is a pretty easy trail for kids and we enjoyed it.”
I have not rode the whole trail yet, but if it is more like what I have traveled so far it's beautiful. There is always someone else on the trail as well. There are also a bunch of dirt trails, some for walking and some for biking. Lots of people walking with their families and a bunch of people on their bikes.
Nice trail for all ages. We were on foot so had to keep an eye on fast moving bikes. Most of the folks on bikes were courteous but if are with little kids just watch out because of speed. Weather was nice so walking around was pleasant. Train was clean. Parking wasn’t a problem.
Very nice paved trail that crosses the Neuse. Went today to see the beautiful sunflower fields. Highly recommend!
Beautiful, peaceful, serene trail for walking, biking, or just being. I love this place! September 2023.
Trail conditions & character
“This was our first time visiting this section of the Neuse River Trail and I have to say it's probably the most scenic route of them all.”
“If you go to the right it seems a little less shaded.”
“No weird smells the whole time, not crowded like other trails we have done, and no real issues with bugs.”
Plan your run at Neuse River Trail - Capital Area Greenway
The practical stuff
- AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
- 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.
- ShadeRunners describe real tree cover here — it makes a summer afternoon workable
Hours
| Monday | 6 AM–9 PM |
| Tuesday | 6 AM–9 PM |
| Wednesday | 6 AM–9 PM |
| Thursday | 6 AM–9 PM |
| Friday | 6 AM–9 PM |
| Saturday | 6 AM–9 PM |
| Sunday | 6 AM–9 PM |
Running trails near Raleigh
Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.
Clemmons Educational State Forest
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Clayton River Walk on the Neuse Greenway
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Waterfront park, paved and gravel paths popular with cyclists and dog walkers, plus birdwatching.
Municipal Park
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Sam's Branch Greenway
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Shaded and paved trail for biking and walking.