In the foothills of western North Carolina, two public spaces – Hickory Riverwalk and T.H. Broyhill Walking Park – invite visitors to connect with the regional landscape. Both are gentle, accessible walking paths.
Hickory Riverwalk
The 2.3-mile Riverwalk through Geitner Park is a segment of the larger Hickory Trail system. The Hickory Trail has five segments and spans 10 miles across the city.
As the name suggests, the Riverwalk traces the shoreline of Lake Hickory and the Catawba River.
It is best known for its overwater bridge – the longest inverted Fink truss bridge in North America. We loved the shadows made by the railing and trusses.
The multi-use trail is a mix of boardwalk and greenway offering views of the lake, forest, fields, flowers, and wildlife. Two sections are elevated trails along the water, and these are connected by winding paved greenway trails. There are also dirt bike paths which intersect with the greenway at points.
On my September visit, American strawberry bush, Appalachian bellflower, blue mistflower, bristly lady’s thumb, downy lobelia, goldenrod, Maryland golden-aster, panicled tick-trefoil, and wingstem wildflowers were in bloom.
T.H. Broyhill Walking Park
In nearby Lenoir, North Carolina, T.H. Broyhill Walking Park contains the Joe T. Ingram Nature Sanctuary, botanical gardens, lakes, and unique architecture. Often called “the Walking Park,” its primary feature is a 0.43-mile paved walking loop circling the main lake.
Gazing from the observation deck, we observed a lively mix of turtles – from small red-eared sliders to gigantic snapping turtles. The highlight was a turtle we saw boldly hitching a ride on the back of a much larger shell.
In addition to the turtles, ducks (including American Pekins and mallards) splashed and swam in the lake.
Just beyond the far side of the lake, a creek cascades through the woods and under a red bridge.
Next to the creek is a secluded garden. There we found a smaller pond, fountain, pagoda, and sculptures. Throughout the garden small wonders emerged: buzzing bees, delicate spicebush swallowtail butterflies, humming snowberry clearwing moths, and sunbathing five-lined skinks.
It was an incredibly peaceful stroll – a rare calm that even a late summer weekend couldn’t break.
If you are in the Hickory area, Broyhill Walking Park and the Hickory Trail system are fantastic spaces to stretch your legs, breathe fresh air, and immerse yourself in nature.
Love the photographs. How fun to come across this peaceful garden.
Steph, thanks for another beautifully written and photographed essay. I have a list of places you’ve written about that I must see.