Pilot Mountain
If the holidays made you want to break away from the crowds and catch some fresh air, then I suggest you consider visiting Pilot Mountain State Park. If you have ever driven north of Winston-Salem to Mt. Airy or even through to Virginia, then you have certainly seen the iconic outline of Pilot Mountain from US 52.
Although the park offers fishing and canoeing opportunities (the park office at 336-325-2355 can fill you in on what equipment you’ll need), the main draw for me is the hiking. I’ve enjoyed ambling along on the shorter trails (some less than a mile long) when I just want to check out the views from the pinnacle. When I’m feeling more ambitious or perhaps more in the need for a good workout, I’ve taken the longer and more challenging trails (upwards of 5 or 6 miles). Either way, the natural beauty of the park isn’t disappointing.
One more quick note: Although I’m not a rock climber, I have come across a number of classes teaching the skill. Seems to me like a great place with some phenomenal views to get introduced to that activity. All in all, it is a big improvement over the stuffy confines of the mall, the office, and sometimes even the house!
If the entire trail system is as well maintained as the one on the pictures then visiting Pilot Mountain State Park will surely be a wonderful experience. A light trek even my 10 year old daughter will be able to complete, she’s quite a trooper.