
Go to -Dunnagan trail page (external Link) Visible on the opposite shore are the decaying stone walls of Durham’s first water pumping station. A short distance east of the dam, as the trail turns northwest away from the river is a deep spot known as Bob’s Hole. On the river the trail crosses the remnant of an old dam. On the ridge the trail passes a cemetery and two old home sites with nothing left but large trees, exotic flowers, and the fallen stones of the chimneys. From there this 1.8 mile trail is a loop with an easy 3/4 mile on the river and the remainder generally paralleling the river on the adjacent ridge. This trail is accessed from the Pea Creek Trail by crossing the creek on a footbridge. Go to the Pea Creek trail page (external Link) This hike can be lengthened by adding the Dunnagan Trail loop. Hikers can see a large outcrop called Buzzard Rock across the river from the trail, a short distance south of passing under a electrical transmission line. The round trip from the parking lot is 1.3 miles. Pea Creek Trail starts at the south end of the Cole Mill parking lot, goes down to the river, follows the river under the Cole Mill Road bridge, eventually intersecting with a short loop that follows the river and Pea Creek, and returns through the upland forest. Go to the Bobbitt Hole trail page (external Link) The upland trail crosses several hills and drainages. Steep, laurel covered bluffs shadow the river opposite the trail. A short spur at the southern end of the Bobbitt Hole loop dead ends at the hole. The trail is a 1.65 mile loop extending the Cole Mill Trail up river, intersecting the western section of Cole Mill Trail twice. On the south bank a rock outcropping stands sentinel over the hole which has been measured to 18 feet deep. The river drops into Bobbitt Hole over a short rock cascade from the south and leaves in a sharp 90 degree bend to the east. This trail takes you to one of the most scenic and fascinating places in the river.


Go to the Cole Mill trail page (external Link) Fishermen should be alert to crossing county lines on this trail, which are marked with signs. Scenic laurel covered bluffs dominate the opposite river bank. Most of the trail is an easy hike along the river with a short climb through the upland forest. This trail is a 1.2 mile loop beginning at the Cole Mill picnic area from either the south end of the parking lot or beside the southern toilet building.
