Heart Healthy Activities! – Hiking

Welcome to an ongoing series titled Heart Healthy Activities!

These articles will be posted to give health conscious readers advice on activities in the Fayetteville area that are good for you and your heart’s health.

As summertime is often a good time to get outside and be active, in this edition, we are going to highlight some popular hiking destinations in and around Fayetteville, North Carolina. Keeping active is one of the best ways to keep your heart in its best shape, so take this opportunity to explore some of what Fayetteville has to offer!

Cape Fear River Trail

Among the highest rated of hiking trails in the Fayetteville area, the Cape Fear River Trail is a 7 mile one-way trail, which provides a 10 foot wide paved path for anyone who is walking, running or cycling the trail. Reviewers have appreciated the natural beauty on display along the trail, which include the woods and river. Pets on leashes are welcome, it is free year-round and open from dawn to dusk. Access to the trail is free, as is parking.

https://www.fcpr.us/parks-trails/trails/cape-fear-river-trail

Cape Fear Botanical Gardens

The Cape Fear Botanical Gardens are a destination for anyone seeking to enjoy Fayetteville’s natural beauty during their stroll. Located on an 80 acre property which lies between the Cape Fear River and Cross Creek, the Botanical Gardens are open to all ages. Some of the Botanical Garden’s highlights include Camellia, Daylilly and Shade Gardens, Butterfly Stroll and Children’s Garden, and the Heritage Garden. There is also a scenic river trail with sights to behold. The Botanical Gardens are open most days until 5pm, pets are not permitted and there is a daily admission fee of $10; however there are discounts for military personnel and children.

https://www.capefearbg.org

Fayetteville Rose Garden

Are you wanting somewhere where you can enjoy a brisk walk but also stop and smell the roses? Look no further than the Fayetteville Rose Garden. Established on the site of the Fayetteville Technical Community College, the Rose Garden offers visitors with over one thousand rose bushes, with a gazebo, fountains and a wealth of flora to take in. Reviewers give praise to the variety of vibrant and fragrant roses on display, as well as the populous gazebos and benches available on the grounds. The Rose Garden is open to the public and is pet friendly. Parking is free most days.

https://www.faytechcc.edu/campus-offices/facilities-services/fayetteville-rose-garden/