Celebrate the Haw River Trail with a Wildflower Hike

If you enjoy taking it slow to soak in the scenery, stopping to take pictures, and admiring the smallest details along the trail, join Brianna Haferman, staff member at Piedmont Land Conservancy and naturalist in training, for a wildflower hike.

This hike will focus on enjoying and learning about nature, especially wildflowers, at a slow pace. If you’re a casual walker, a plant enthusiast, a photographer, or someone who loves a good trail chat, this hike is for you.

During this outing we’ll explore a portion of the Haw River Trail in Saxapahaw, walking approximately 1.5 miles in one hour and 45 minutes, stopping frequently to enjoy the scenery and chat. We will learn from each other, and questions are highly encouraged! This time of year, Saxapahaw has lots to offer with spring wildflowers along the riverbank. We’ll do some identifying of plants and trees along the trail. And we’ll keep our eyes peeled for the many birds that love this area of the river. Cameras and binoculars are welcome, as well as nature ID apps like iNaturalist.

The trail is natural surface and has roots throughout. The trail is mostly flat but does start with a short set of stairs. There will be no rush, and no pressure—just good company and a great hike!

The outing is open to the public but is limited to 25 people.

To begin the hike we will meet at the bottom of the outdoor amphitheatre in Saxapahaw, just outside of the Haw River Ballroom. Please arrive a little early as we will head out promptly at 10 a.m.

This hike is part of a celebration of the Haw River including the 2025 International Paddling Film Festival hosted that evening by Haw River Canoe and Kayak, and many excellent river partners. The event, in Saxapahaw, includes:

10 -- 11:45 am-- Celebrate the Haw River Trail with a Wildflower Walk. More info here.

1-3 pm -- 4-mile Mountains-to-Sea Trail/Haw River Trail hike led by the NC Department of Natural and Cultural Resources' Hometown Strong division. More info here.

1:30 - 3:30 pm. -- Haw River Assembly River Watch. More info here.

3:30-4:30 pm -- Friends of the Mountains to Sea Trail hike and trail construction discussion. More info here.

4:30 pm -- On-water demonstrations

5:30 pm -- River Social at Haw River Ballroom

7 pm -- Start of the International Paddling Film Festival. For and click on more information and tickets, wich are $18, visit Haw River Canoe & Kayak here and click on "Full Event List."

Host or Publisher NC Department of Natural and Cultural Resources/Hometown Strong