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Summer Rest Trail
4.4 ★★★★☆ 51 Google reviews · Running trail in Wilmington, North Carolina · Posted hours
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Paved
- Distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Not reported
- Shade
- Tree cover
- Access
- Posted hours
Confirmed from Summer Rest 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.
Paved trail near Wrightsville Beach offering views of the Intracoastal Waterway and private homes.
What runners say about Summer Rest Trail
“Beautiful peaceful tranquil walk with a nice view of the intercoastal at the end”
“There has been some construction along the way with some shade removed and a tall fence built.”
“Beautiful peaceful tranquil walk with a nice view of the intercoastal at the end”
0.7 mile multi-purpose trail which runs between Port City Chop House and Summer Rest Road. Spectacular views of the Intracoastal Waterway. Open 8am to sunset. If you are coming by car you can park at the Port City Chop House, on right as you drive into their parking lot, which is where the trail begins.
Perfect shaded paved trail wheelchair accessible kind of..the exit is a little steep.
Our short term rental was great! The view was wonderful with the exception of the huge amount of people that invade Summer Rest Trail from "Landfall" They all seem to travel through a secret gate to access Sumer Rest Trail. Why can't we travel through the secret gate to access Landfall?
How can a paved bike trail through coastal woods and along the ICW be anything but 5 stars? Quiet neighborhoods and summer shade makes for a wonderful hike or bike ride. No parking so you'll have to bike or park elsewhere and hoof it. Part of my go to bike rides, love it.
Trail conditions & character
“Beautiful peaceful tranquil walk with a nice view of the intercoastal at the end”
“If you are coming by car you can park at the Port City Chop House, on right as you drive into their parking lot, which is where the trail begins.”
“How can a paved bike trail through coastal woods and along the ICW be anything but 5 stars?”
“There has been some construction along the way with some shade removed and a tall fence built.”
“Beautiful peaceful tranquil walk with a nice view of the intercoastal at the end”
“Perfect shaded paved trail wheelchair accessible kind of.”
Plan your run at Summer Rest Trail
The practical stuff
- AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
- SurfacePaved — asphalt or concrete. Fast and predictable, runnable year-round, and fine with a stroller
- 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
- At the trailheadparking — reported by runners
- Stroller / wheelchairReported as smooth and step-free enough for a running stroller or a chair.
- Websiteparks.nhcgov.com
- Social Facebook
Hours
| Monday | 8 AM–7:05 PM |
| Tuesday | 8 AM–7:05 PM |
| Wednesday | 8 AM–7:05 PM |
| Thursday | 8 AM–7:05 PM |
| Friday | 8 AM–7:05 PM |
| Saturday | 8 AM–7:05 PM |
| Sunday | 8 AM–7:05 PM |
Running trails near Wilmington
Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.
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Bluethenthal Wildflower Preserve
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Pages Creek Park Preserve
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Long Leaf Park
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