Being from Myrtle Beach, we wanted a place to avoid crowds. [See my review of Wilson Lake]. Ibam also a bridge photographer, so I love to find different styles all over the USA. This trail started at the Tar River Bridge. We were able to get pictures above and below it. Along the trail there were places to climb down, see the river and other spots to rest and be out of the sun. It was 80° when we went and it was just a beautiful 3 mile hike for myself, my husband, 14 year old daughter and 6 year old shepherd lab mix dog, Justice. As we walked further along the trail, we ended up in Battle Park which was also beautiful. The waterfall dam, the view from the gazebo and the multiple bridges along the way. We found one area that had graffiti, but that's not uncommon for people to deface beauty. Other than that, we can't wait to come Back!

This is a great trail to run. There is much to see from the river to the bridges you cross or go under to the parks to visit. While the trail itself is great, the maps and directions online and in the park aren't very easy to find. I started at Sunset Park where I had read online was a good place to get started. It was not readily identifiable where the trail was. You have to drive to the back of the park and look for the "Emergency Access Trail" sign (not sure why it is an emergency). The other parks I ran through seemed like they'd be easier to locate the trail. The colored line painted on the paved trail to mark each section is faded and at times missing. There is one junction where the trail splits coming from Sunset Park and no indication as to which way to go. It is natural to take the trail that stays along the river but a sign would be nice. The wooden bridge and the metal bridge are certainly slippery when wet or frost (like this morning) so I got on the sidewalk to avoid the slick metal bridge.