Year of the Trail NC Trail Days Weekend Festival: Eden

354 W. Meadow Road,Eden NC 27288

21 April, 2023

Description

Enjoy a weekend of exploring fun in Eden and surrounding Rockingham County. Here's the schedule of events: Friday, April 21 3 p.m. -- Ribbon cutting and guided hike for the re-opening of the campus trail system at Rockingham Community College, hosted by the Duke Energy TRAILS and the Environmental Planning & Development Program at Rockingham Community College. 5-8 p.m. -- Kickoff event at Reynolds Brewery, Eden. Live music, free hors’ devours, ax throwing, cash bar. 6:30-7:30 p.m. – Sunset hike on the Smith River Greenway, Eden, begins and ends from Reynold’s Brewery. With sunset at 7:58, hikers will enjoy the fading light of the day on this easily navigable, flat trail through hardwood forest. A 2-mile hike. Beginner/family friendly. Saturday, April 22 9 a.m. – Hike at Mayo Mountain State Park, Mayodan. Deshazo Mill, 1.5 miles or Mayo Mountain Loop Trail, 1.7 miles. Beginner/family. Ranger led. 10-11:30 a.m. – Paddle on the Smith and Dan rivers. 1 mile. Some Class I rapids and riffles on the Smith, a mellow finish on the Dan. Boats will be provided if you need one. Members of the Dan River Basin Association will lead this trip. 1:30 p.m. – Hike at Chinqua-Penn Walking Trail, Reidsville. 1.7 miles. Part of the NC Upper Piedmont Research Station, the 1.7-mile loop winds through old-growth forest, skirts two ponds, and follows the fence lines of pastures where a prized cattle herd grazes. Crops are tested in fields alongside farm roads once used as carriage trails by the wealthy owners of Chinqua-Penn. Remnants of their lavish parties linger in structures built of locally quarried stone. Beginner/family friendly. 11 a.m. – Hike at Lake Reidsville, 3 miles. This trail ducks in and out of forested coves along the lake. Beginner/family friendly. 1 p.m. – Guided mountain bike ride at Farris Memorial Park, Mayodan. The 3 miles of professionally built trail at Farris Park has good flow and a few rock gardens, and switchbacks to tame the steeper climbs. Beginner/intermediate. 2- 5 p.m. – Paddle on the Dan River. 5 miles, mellow stretch of river with some Class I rapids and assorted riffles. BYOB (Bring Your Own Boat), shuttle will be provided. Paddlers from the Dan River Basin Association will lead this trip. The Dan is wide and easily navigable on this stretch from the new Dan River Game Lands boat ramp to the Leakesville Landing boat access in downtown Eden. Members of the Dan River Basin Association will lead this trip. 3 p.m. -- Hike on the Smith River Greenway, Eden, 3 miles. See Friday’s evening hike for a trail description. Beginner-friendly. 5-8 p.m. – Sip, Shop & Celebrate Year of the Trail in Uptown Eden. Live Music, wine & beer tastings, food and outdoor vendors. Many of the shops will be open late. Sunday, April 23 9 a.m.-2 p.m. – Do it Yourself hikes on Rockingham County’s numerous trails. Hike descriptions will be provided.