New Hope Trail

Our favorite hike in The Triangle area so far. Breathtaking views, variable topography (decent inclines/declines), and flora. Clearly marked trails with signage - we followed the “Area” path. Ample parking at the trailhead with very clean restrooms. Reckon it’s much busier in peak season with the campground and paid day parking.

New Hope Trail is a 2-part trail with an option to hike 2.7 miles (blue trail) or double it and pass it on to 5.4 miles (red trail)! New Hope Trail gives a mountain side trail vibe that isn’t too far from home, for me at least!

Furry-Friendly Trail! Despite the summer heat, Magnus and I ventured on the blue trail (2.7 miles round trip), there’s two trails (red trail marked is 5.4 miles).

Trail was very well marked, woodsy as you embark the first 1/2 to mile in, then most of blue trail journey is following the lake; which is peaceful + pretty.

I’ve seen eagles + egrets along the shoreline, few boats that pass by, and despite the summer heat, this trail offered plenty of shade.

One note that there is a fallen tree by the new hope overlook, which you’ll have to pass around it.

Really enjoyed this trail! I did the blue trail and it was really easy. Lots of access points to Jordan Lake and saw tons of wildlife. Not the best cell service but who needs it with all this beauty. Perfect place to disconnect and enjoy nature!

It is one of the best trails i had walked. It is like walking around while you are surrounded with a great views of lake and nature. The path is easy also.
You can walk and sit around lake jordan while you have your snack or swim

This is my absolute favorite place to hike. The views of Jordan Lake, while on the trail, are beautiful. The trail offers two routes. One is about 2.7 miles and can be done within an hour to an hour and half, if you want to take your time and admire the views. The second option is longer, but I find the views on the blue trail (2.7 miles) are better, in my opinion.

There is a guard house, and it is hit or miss on when/if they charge you to enter. The last time I went, it was free to enter.

The trail is pet friendly.

This was my first time on this trail. I loved it. I had no idea we had such a nice challenging trail so close by with a little bit of climbing for you to do. We normally have to drive out of Apex to get that. It had water views, and we were hiking up and down and all around the lake. It was a nice 5 miles (or 3 if you prefer) hike. I wish I had taken photos to share. Next time when I bring my friends, I will share photos. This hike is too good not to share with friends or your pet. Not to mention, it has clean restrooms! I am definitely coming back again and again.

Great spot for a moderate hike, some decent views of Jordan lake and an occasional bald eagle sighting.
The blue trail is about 2.7 miles according to the parks dept and if you do the red trail it's about 5.4 miles.
If the red trail is too much it's possible to do just a portion, and it's approximately a mile more than blue for something in between.

This is a nice trail with scenic views of Jordan lake. The blue trail is great for family hikes if you have small children. The red trail is actually not as strenuous as I thought it would be, but it is more unkempt with uncut trees lying across the trail and more inclines.

Very nice park, full of nature. We saw some trash panda foot prints and deer hoof prints. There supposed to be 2 trails, red 5.4 mi and blue 2.7mi, on the map from the park website, it says “the blue trail is apart of red trail.” It might be a typo, that’s just confusing, but we did find 2 perfect drift wood walking sticks and had a nice 9k walk here.

Really beautiful park for hiking with both a long and short trail.. But come prepared with your hiking boots it can get pretty muddy too.

Easy loop trail that is well marked. Lots of parking, lots of dogs and people. Trail could use some chainsaw love for a few of the downed trees but you can get over/under them just fine. Great place to sit and enjoy the lake.

Great hikes both red and blue trails are scenic. The blue trail is closer to the water and the red goes through the woods. Very dog friendly. Go super early on weekends to avoid the fee, sometimes they are just setting up and you get inside for free

This is a wonderful place to hike! We took the 2.7 mile blue trail. It’s extremely well marked and maintained with some lovely views of the lake. I wouldn’t recommend it for younger kids but teens and adults can easily handle it.

2 beautiful moderate level looped trails.

Red is 5.4 miles and blue is 2.7. The blue trail is half of the red trail. Trails are looked after and well marked with great views of the lake and also peacefulness of the woods. Good for walking in the summer because most of the trails are covered by trees. Bring a filled water bottle with you!

Any time better than walking on a trademill.. nice, peaceful trail for a morning or evening walk. Lake is so beautiful. Took lots of pictures

Fantastic trail. Just the right combo of elevation changes and beauty. Will be hiking this one again.

I know that "New Hope" isn't the one with the Ewoks, but it might as well be from the looks of the trail. A great walk out in the woods.

One of the most picturesque (especially the blue trail) and well marked trails I’ve hiked. The blue trail (and parts of red trail 1st half) winds along Jordan lake depending on which part you hike first. Definitely moderate, although the blue trail is steep only in a few places.

This is a great hike in the winter when the foliage is off the trees, providing better views on the lake. The trail is well marked an a bit hilly in some sections. Plan on navigating a fair number of roots and some rocks. It's heavily wooded, providing shade in the hot summer months. But in the summer you can expect a fair amount of boat traffic on the lake, which can detract from the peace with the noise of power boats. There are 2 loops that can be combined to do one large loop of 5.5 miles. The individual loops are about 2.7 and 3 miles each. Be aware there's a fee to enter the park in the peak season, which is maybe May through Oct??? They don't seem to charge to enter the park in the winter.