Guided Wildflower Hike - Penny's Bend

This trail passes through open fields, deep forests, and rocky outcrops in less than two miles. Easy to moderate walking with one short, steep stretch that rewards with a bluff-top view of the river. Penny’s Bend is a horseshoe bend in the river formed by diabase rock. The underlying diabase here makes the soil basic, supporting plants unusual to the Piedmont. Spring wildflowers abound, including spectacular displays of Dutchman’s Breeches some years. If there have been recent rains, parts of the trail may be muddy and a walking stick is helpful. Link to a map of the trails at Penny’s Bend: http://enotrails.com/pennys-bend-area.htm

This hike will take approximately two hours (sometimes less, sometimes more). Please feel free to bring water and snacks. Wear comfortable, weather appropriate clothing and shoes. Well-behaved dogs are welcome as long as they are under your control and on a 6 foot leash.

C OVID-19 guidelines: As this is an outdoor event, masks and vaccination status are not required to attend. Please practice social distancing to keep yourself and others outside of your group safe and healthy.

T his event is rain or shine. We will contact you if severe weather is expected that would cause us to cancel the hike.

If your plans change and you are unable to attend the hike, please contact [email protected] to cancel your registration so that we may offer your spot(s) to our waitlist.

Directions: Coming from the west, take Duke Street North from I-85 (Exit 176). Turn right on Murray Avenue (sign to the Museum of Life and Science), go until it reaches Roxboro Street, turn left and look for the brown sign to Stagville. [Coming from the east, you can take Roxboro Street directly from I-85.] Turn right here on Old Oxford Road. Go about three miles until Old Oxford crosses the Eno. Immediately after the bridge, turn left on Snowhill Road. Penny’s Bend parking lot will be on the left immediately after you turn.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Penny's Bend Natural Area, 4000 Snowhill Rd, Durham, United States