The Great Blue Heron Loop trail at the Iron Ore Belt Access of the Haw River State Park is an easy (they call it moderate) 3.9 mile round trip hike that offers a variety of nature's beauty for a day hiker to see and hear.
The trail is fairly well maintained and reasonably wide with shoulders you can easily veer into to allow for easy social distancing if you are into that sort of thing. The woods throughout the trail are mostly open, allowing one to see a pretty good distance through them. You will also pass by a sizable wetland that is teeming with life.
I did not see many animals, save for a squirrel or two, but I heard and saw a great many birds, including cardinals and woodpeckers.
I was impressed with the number of wildflowers that I saw, especially for a wooded trail. I saw Big Leaf Periwinkle, Golden Ragwort, Annual Fleabane, Carolina Allspice, Eastern Blue Star, Dwarf Crested Iris, Perfoliate Bellwort, Wild Geranium, Green and Gold, and Fire Pink. That is quite a list!
If you are looking for an easy day hike (and there is a picnic table or two along the way if you are making it a family outing, but I wouldn't know how to tell ahead of time if someone is already at those tables) in the Piedmont Triad, this is a good one.
There is no beauty in star or blossom
'til looked upon by a loving eye
There is no fragrance in April breezes
'til breathed with joy as they wander by
-Wm. C. Bryant read more