New nature preserve opens near Raleigh with hiking and mountain biking trails

Triangle Land Conservancy officially opened Old Creedmoor Nature Preserve on Friday, transforming land once slated for housing development into protected forest, streams and recreation space on the Wake-Durham county line.

The preserve includes hiking trails, mountain biking routes and connections to the Mountains-to-Sea Trail around Falls Lake.

The preserve has long been known among local mountain bikers for its unofficial trail network, which attracted riders from across the Triangle. Conservation groups partnered with trail organizations to renovate and reroute portions of the system, adding bridges and improving erosion-prone areas before opening it to the public.

"It's a little hidden place that maybe everybody won't know about," Raleigh Mayor Janet Cowell said. "This is just one example where you can escape the suburbs, the city, and really come out and enjoy nature and reflect and appreciate what we have here."

Beyond recreation, conservation leaders say the preserve plays an important role in protecting drinking water.

The property sits in the Upper Neuse River Basin and contains streams that flow into Falls Lake, which supplies drinking water to more than half a million people across the region. Preserving forests helps naturally filter runoff before it reaches the reservoir.

Ed Buchan, Raleigh Water's watershed protection manager, described the preserve as "an unmanned water treatment plant."

"A wooded forested area is the original treatment plant," Buchan said. "By the time water leaves this site and goes to a creek, it's crystal clear."

The preserve was purchased with support from the city of Raleigh Watershed Protection Program and Wake County's Open Space Program. Triangle Land Conservancy says the property will remain protected permanently.

Visitors should note that trails may close during wet conditions to prevent erosion. Trail status updates are available through Triangle Land Conservancy.

Access the preserve at 13509 Old Creedmoor Road in Wake Forest.