Ellerbe Creek Trail

Ellerbe Creek Trail is a hidden gem! It is truly one of my favorite trails, even though, like most Durham trails, it can have its more «sketchy» segments. But hey, if you LIVE in Durham, you almost become used to these, and if you’re running this trail, you’re a runner, so you know how to run AWAY at the first sign of trouble! I usually use Ellerbe for a 6ish mile loop starting off Trinity Ave and running up to Quarry Rock Park and back and always during the day. The trail is more shaded then sunny, runs behind lots of neighborhoods, a couple side walk segments, under the highway and along some «streams» (nature preservations), it even goes directly through Northgate Park and you can change routes, making a loop through Rock Quarry Park as well.
Things to note: {Following the trail, starting at Trinity and running up to Stadium Drive — turning RIGHT along the road until it dead ends into Rock Quarry Park on the right. Running down the sidewalk into the park until you see a gravel path directly on your left. Follow this around, past the Vietnam Living Memorial and the Edison Johnson Center until the sidewalk meets back up to the trail on Murray Ave — following the trail back to Trinity Street}
–you will pass two bathroom facilities & two water fountains: one at Northgate Park one at Rock Quarry Park.
–no mile markers, but arrows lead the way *be careful when you hit Club Blvd, you must run along the sidewalk, under the highway, and meet back up with the trail in Northgate Park, little green arrows mark the way!*
–more dog walkers on this path then pedestrians, bikers and other runners; also a very quiet trail.
–lots of «site seeing»: streams along trail, dog park at Northgate Park, Vietnam Living Memorial, recreation center, wooden bridges and Bronto: the terrifyingly huge dinosaur.
–You will most likely encounter some sewage smells, I find it almost impossible NOT to encourage these on many of Durham’s trails. BUT, you will also pass through some fields filled with the incredible smell of wildflowers!
–trail is almost entirely paved, with the exception of the Rock Quarry loop.
–small hills lots of twists and turns. It’s a relatively flat course, comparable to Duke East Campus in terms of «hilliness».
Enjoy! This is really a lovely trail, if you’re intimidated by the isolation of it, grab a friend the first couple times! Once you’ve got your surroundings down, you’ll put this trail on your list of regulars.

The trail is relatively short and unsafe for a woman walking alone. It’s not well lit and I’ve been harassed here while trying to take a relaxing walk. It’s a beautiful foray into nature, nestled in the lovely city of Durham but best utilized when walking with a group or while exercising male privilege.

This is such a great trail because it is urban (easy to catch it from downtown), but so much of it is through parks (e.g. the Rock Quarry Park and the Northgate Park) that it feels anything but! As the other reviewers pointed out, there is a huge brontosaurus statue? sculpture? Overall, it’s pretty well labeled (much, much better labeled than almost all the trials in Raleigh), although having Google Maps as a backup on your phone is helpful for the stretches where you’re on the road to make sure you re-​catch the trail part when you’re supposed to (if you zoom in, the trail is a line). Also, except for a few people walking dogs near the Northgate dog park, it’s not super heavily traveled for weekend mornings. I also felt very safe on the trail – for those of you that have safety concerns about some of the Durham or Raleigh trails.

So glad I saw Molly’s review, or I may have never found this trail! Even after learning of its existence, it was tough for me to locate any maps or info online about it. As such, my first visit, I ended up a little confused… hopefully this review can help other runners feel more confident in their visit!
If you’re driving, parking is easiest at Rock Quarry Park or the Edison Johnson Center. If you park at Rock Quarry, drive down past the tennis courts and you’ll see a black paved path on your left. That’s a really short .1 or so mi trail that connects you to the Edison Johnson Center parking lot. From there, head past the building (it will be on your right) toward the road. To your right, the Ellerbe trail extends north to Stadium and out to Duke Street (about 1.5 mi). If you instead cross the street, you’ll see the fun giant Bronto on your left, then cross past the dog park, and through Northgate Park. After this, signage gets a little tricky (it’s weathered, fading, and small; but it is there… so just keep your eyes open). You’ll head down Club, and pass under the 85 overpass, which is mildly terrifying and really loud. Then you’ll finally be on a path through wooded area and some cute little bridges. This trail will keep extending south to downtown near Trinity and Washington.
If you loop the whole thing, with the little Rock Quarry-​Edison Johnson connector, it’s almost exactly 7 mi. Of varied sights and sounds! Great trail for those in the city. And thanks again, Molly G, for taking the time to write about it!

My favorite running trail in Durham. You can find me here at least 3 mornings a week.
It is shady for those hot days. Long enough for 10k training. And scenic enough to take your mind off it all.
Start at W. Trinity Ave near Washington and run all the way up to Stadium Drive for a good 5 miles there and back. Don’t miss the brontosaurus that hides in the woods shortly after you pass the dog park!