Raven Rock Loop Trail

Dogs Leashed

Features Birding · Fall Colors · River/Creek · Spring · Views · Wildflowers · Wildlife

This trail begins from the parking lot and passes a small restroom. Immediately, it becomes enshrouded in a beautiful canopy of woods. The trail is wide and well kept through this section as it follows its characteristic orange-circle blazes. Along the way, expect to see many other people.

In about 0.8 miles, the trail reaches a fork, where the left option takes you onto the Fish Traps Trail and the right continues on Raven Rock. Staying to the right, continue to follow the orange blazes. There are a few benches and pull off areas for resting. The entire trail is full of tall pine trees and begins to follow the Little Creek. There are built-in stairs at a few of the steeper areas, making it a great trail for jogging. There is a scenic overlook in about 0.5 miles after the fork that consists of a manmade structure that gives views of the Cape Fear River.

After 1 mile is another trail junction with Little Creek Loop and the view to Raven Rock itself. Continuing toward Raven Rock leads to a wooden stairway that goes downward toward a beautiful rock-and-cliff formation on the bank of the Cape Fear River. The river bank has plenty of hiking area to view the cliffs further along. Many families and other trekkers convene here, so it can get crowded and loud, but if you hike to the right along the river bank there are many more secluded areas to stop and relax.

To continue along the loop, you must double-back up the stairs to the junction with Little Creek Loop. From there, the Raven Rock Loop Trail continues under its shrouds of greenery back to the parking area.