Milling About in Orange County

A leisurely walk in the woods is a great way to spend some quality time with family and friends. Some outings are better suited for kids than others, and this one is certainly kid-friendly with a fairly short hike and a sweet treat to top it off. We encourage you to take your favorite kid(s) to TLC’s Johnston Mill Nature Preserve, stop by Allen & Son Bar-B-Que for lunch, and end the day with ice cream at Maple View Farm. Or start with ice cream and hike off the sugar rush at Johnston Mill. Your choice.

  Hiking at Johnston Mill

 

Start your day off with a refreshing hike through Johnston Mill Nature Preserve, home to a large expanse of mixed hardwood forest and two miles of New Hope Creek. Go ahead and splash in the creek, skip rocks, and climb on the sycamore roots that tangle above the water. Keep your eye out for numerous animals making their homes in the preserve, including birds, butterflies and frogs. Three main hiking trails wind through Johnston Mill Nature Preserve: Robin’s Trail, Beech Loop Trail and Old Field Bluff Trail. Robin’s Trail, a 1.2 mile trail, parallels New Hope Creek and runs between the two parking areas. The .6-mile Beech Loop Trail loops through a mature hardwood forest. The 1.7-mile Old Field Bluff Trail traverses forests, fields and floodplains, including beautiful views from the ridgeline overlooking Old Field Creek.  More information about Johnston Mill Nature Preserve, including a preserve guide, can be found here. 


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After enjoying Johnston Mill, it’s a short drive to Allen & Son for a cool drink and some of the best barbeque in the Triangle. Finish your adventure by rocking on the porch at Maple View Ice Cream with your favorite flavor. Absorb the view of the rolling hills and Maple View Farm (protected forever with a TLC conservation easement), and watch the cows that make the milk for your ice cream.

Best time of year to visit: Anytime!

Photo by Ty Rhudy