Falls Lake Trail

Falls Lake Trail is a continuous long-distance foot route along the southern shores of Falls Lake, built as a major segment of the statewide Mountains-to-Sea Trail (MST). The trail is signed with white circle blazes and is mapped and maintained as a set of designated sections.

The full Falls Lake Trail segment is commonly planned as about 60 miles, split into seven sections. Section 1 runs from the Falls Dam/Tailrace Area near Raven Ridge Road to Raven Ridge Road (5.5 miles).

Section 2 continues from Raven Ridge Road to Hickory Hill Road; Section 3 goes from Hickory Hill Road to Possum Track Road. Each section follows the MST line through the Falls Lake corridor along natural surface tread.

Section 4 runs from Possum Track Road to Bayleaf Church Road, and Section 5 continues from Bayleaf Church Road to NC 50. In the Bayleaf Church Road to Six Forks Road portion, the route leaves roadside areas, dips into woods, and generally trends along rolling ground toward the lake.

Section 6 links NC 50 to Rolling View Recreation Area. Section 7 then carries hikers from Rolling View Recreation Area to Highway 98, completing the Falls Lake MST stretch.

Practical wayfinding: stay on designated trail tread and follow the white circle blazes, because short intersecting paths near the waterline can pull you off the main route (especially where small drainage lines and unofficial spur paths meet the trail corridor).

More information: Map, Falls Lake Day Hike A, Mountains-to-Sea Trail - Falls Lake South Shore Trail Section