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Penny's Bend
4.5 ★★★★★ 125 Google reviews · Running trail in Durham, North Carolina · Open 24 hours
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Not reported
- Loop distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Loop
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Open 24 hours
Confirmed from Penny's Bend'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.
Nature preserve with trails for hiking, plus fishing, and observation of native plants.
What runners say about Penny's Bend
“Clean, well maintained, clearly marked trail system”
“It's usually not too busy and remains beautiful all year round.”
“Penny's is under a 2 mile walk with a narrow but well marked trail.”
It's a nice place, but I enjoyed where Penny's Bend connects with the MTS trail more than the Bend (NW of the bend). Penny's is under a 2 mile walk with a narrow but well marked trail. It has plenty of places to walk down to the Eno.
I fished here and caught sunfish, a yellow perch, and a catfish. I plan to go again. It's a very pretty spot, much more wooded than the pictures suggest. The bottom of the bend, as you can see on the map, points South, so you can find a shady spot on the shore all day long if you just walk along the trail on the…
I like this location very much. It's not a large nature preserve, but it doesn't have to be. Locals have been enjoying fishing and walking here for quite a while. You are bound to catch a sunfish or two and enjoy the quiet of the woods. It's usually not too busy and remains beautiful all year round.
It is easy to miss! The trail by the river winds through very pretty woods. The trail is rough and full of roots, so good footwear and perhaps a walking stick would be good. We went on a weekday when it was not too busy. Rather small parking lot.
Trail conditions & character
“It's usually not too busy and remains beautiful all year round.”
“Overall a nice little walk for the dogs, but if you want a hike, check out the NW corner.”
Plan your run at Penny's Bend
The practical stuff
- AccessOpen 24 hours — no gate to beat, so a 5am or a 10pm run both work
- 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.
- DogsWelcome, per reviewers. Leash rules vary by park — the trailhead sign is the authority.
Hours
| Monday | Open 24 hours |
| Tuesday | Open 24 hours |
| Wednesday | Open 24 hours |
| Thursday | Open 24 hours |
| Friday | Open 24 hours |
| Saturday | Open 24 hours |
| Sunday | Open 24 hours |
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.
Glennstone Nature Preserve
4.4 ★★★★☆ 63 reviews
Hiking area featuring woods, car graveyard and fishing pond amid a nature preserve.
Sennett's Hole
4.5 ★★★★★ 162 reviews
Swimming basin is free to enter and features turtles.
Pump Station Trail
4.8 ★★★★★ 121 reviews
Park, hiking area, and trail offering ruins of a pump station and hiking trails.
