North Carolina’s Haw River bridges a distance within the Tar Heel State of 110 miles before it spills into the Cape Fear River near the coast. With textile mills that sprouted up in the 20th century along her banks, the Haw developed a bit of a reputation for a while as being polluted, but that issue is being addressed.

In the meantime, even though we may or may not want to peel off layers of clothing to take a dip in the Haw, it's still a remarkably beautiful vista for a day's adventure.
AllTrails/Yongxia Cai
The Lower Haw River Trail, which begins near Bynum, is just shy of four miles in each direction (7.9 miles round trip) and is worthy of exploration.
AllTrails/Jordan Lankford
Quite simply put: the Haw deserves a spot at or very near the top of the list of most beautiful river hikes in North Carolina.
AllTrails/Selbe Bartlett
From the lazy cadence and smooth glass-like appearance of the river's deeper sections to...
AllTrails/Aaron Lee

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A more bustling movement found in the very shallow, rocky sections of the Haw, the views here are astounding, relaxing, calming, and refreshing.
AllTrails/Selbe Bartlett
What's more, the trail itself lends to bringing the whole family along on the adventure. The total elevation change over the 7.9 miles is only 124 feet. (That's the same as almost nothing!)
AllTrails/Aga M
And then, there are those hidden gems along the way, like this one, that provide some dense canopy overhead and a more intimate setting that's perfect for settling in for a picnic, or just simple reflection.
AllTrails/Ruri G
Have you discovered the beauty of the Lower Haw River Trail in North Carolina yet?
AllTrails

Overall, this trail can be completed by most hikers in about four hours. Be sure to bring plenty of water and, if you’re hiking alone, let someone at home base know where you’re going and when to expect you back home.

Learn more about the trail from our friends at AllTrails.com.

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