“If you are in a bad mood, go for a walk. If you are still in a bad mood, go for another walk.” -Hippocrates
We all know that life in Albemarle Plantation revolves around water activities…but we like to think of ourselves as more well rounded than just that. We have something for everyone! So if you are looking to work on your fitness at a safe social distance this year, or just get out into nature to improve your mood, we’ve got you! There are no shortages of places to walk around The Inner Banks. Try some of the trails in our area to get your daily quota of steps and enjoy the stress relief and endorphin rush of an outdoor workout. You may notice how much calmer and centered you feel after some time spent outdoors surrounded by all the natural beauty our area has to offer.
One of our favorite spots for a stroll is in beautiful Edenton at J. Robert Hendrix Park and Cannon’s Ferry Heritage River Walk. If saying the full name of the park wasn’t enough exercise for you, you can enjoy a lovely stroll around the park and out on the boardwalk while you watch the paddlers in the lake and even round out your day with a picnic in the picnic area.
Fenwick-Hollowell Wetlands Trail in nearby Elizabeth City is also one you won’t want to miss! Located in a peaceful spot along the river, even on a hot North Carolina day, there is always a refreshing breeze which makes for a lovely stroll any time of year. It makes perfect sense that even a trail made for walking would revolve around the water here in the Inner Banks!
Not far from Elizabeth City is Sweetgum Swamp Trail Loop, a 1.9 mile trek that is known for its beautiful wildflowers and excellent bird watching opportunities. The trail is primarily used for hiking, walking, nature trips, and bird watching and is best used from March until October so there is no time like the present to take advantage of all our area has to offer.
One of the longer trails in the area, The Dismal Swamp Canal Trail, is a paved, heavily wooded pathway along the eastern border of Dismal Swamp State Park. The park offers more than 112,000 acres of forested wetlands and is teeming with wildlife, including black bears, bobcats, birds and deer. With so much space to explore, you could spend a whole weekend exploring and still not see everything! Luckily there are plenty of picnic tables and benches along the trail to have a picnic or rest between activities.