Near Al Buehler Cross Country Trail
A white-throated sparrow can be seen near the Al Buehler Trail.
Near Al Buehler Cross Country Trail
View atop Ole Steepy

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Driving Directions
Hike Trail

Al Buehler Cross Country Trail

4.5 (2 Ratings)
This trail is the larger of two available at the Duke Forest and includes scenic surroundings.
2.8
mi
Distance
205
ft
Gain
easy
Difficulty
Fall ColorsViews

Route Details

Flatter
Steeper
2.84mi
Distance
205ft
Elevation Gain
213ft
Elevation Loss
20%
Max Grade
401ft
High Point
271ft
Low Point
Path Type
Point to Point
Description
The Al Buehler Trail loop is just under 3 miles, and it's a great trail when taken in either direction. Signposts appear at the 1/4 mile and 1k marks. There are several points where you can start, either from the parking lot near the intersection of Erwin Rd and Cameron, or further east, past the entrance to the Washington Duke country club. If you take the loop in a clockwise direction (opposite the signposts), you'll cross over a bridge near mile marker 2, and you can take a left at that point to add on the Sally Meyerhoff exercise loop, which is about another 1k to 3/4 mile. There are exercise stations along this loop if you want to test your balance or do some other workouts. When you return to the Al Buehler Trail, you'll continue over some mild rises until you near mile marker 1.5, where you climb up a bit, going behind one of the golf tees. The drop back down is even more dramatic and then you'll cross over two small bridges in rapid succession before reaching the 1-mile marker. From there, it's a quick jaunt back to the start of the loop and your vehicle.

Route Conditions

Report Conditions
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Al Buehler and Sally Meyerhoff Trails

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River/Creek
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Contributors
Mikhaila Redovian