Occoneechee Speedway Trail, Hillsborough
Clip: Special | 2m 14sVideo has Closed Captions
The Occoneechee Speedway Trail offers a unique mix of nature, exercise and NASCAR history.
Nestled along the banks of the Eno River in a forest of pine and sycamore trees lies an oval-shaped dirt track that makes up one of the most unique trails in North Carolina. The Occoneechee Speedway Trail in the quaint town of Hillsborough offers visitors the perfect mix of exercise, nature and history. Hillsborough Mayor Jenn Weaver is the perfect guide for this riverside stroll.
Ten to Try is a local public television program presented by PBS NC
The series was produced in partnership with the Great Trails State Coalition for the NC Year of the Trail and with generous support from the SECU Foundation.
Occoneechee Speedway Trail, Hillsborough
Clip: Special | 2m 14sVideo has Closed Captions
Nestled along the banks of the Eno River in a forest of pine and sycamore trees lies an oval-shaped dirt track that makes up one of the most unique trails in North Carolina. The Occoneechee Speedway Trail in the quaint town of Hillsborough offers visitors the perfect mix of exercise, nature and history. Hillsborough Mayor Jenn Weaver is the perfect guide for this riverside stroll.
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[air whooshing] [birds chirping] - [Narrator] On the edge of a quaint triangle town, nestled in a forest of pine and sycamore lies one of the more unique trails on our list, a loop hike that combines nature with North Carolina NASCAR history.
[cheerful music] [engine revving] [cheerful music] [water rushing] The Occoneechee Speedway Trail along the banks of the Eno River, on the edge of downtown Hillsborough, makes use of an oval dirt track that was one of the first NASCAR tracks in the country and held races for two decades.
- My first venture out to the Occoneechee Speedway was probably about a year after I moved to Hillsborough, and once I discovered it, I couldn't believe I hadn't been before.
- [Narrator] From downtown Hillsborough, take the river Walk, an accessible and popular greenway that follows alongside the Eno, from Gold Park all the way to the speedway trail.
[water rushing] [cheerful music] While there are multiple trails here to explore, the speedway trail is the network's main attraction.
It follows the old loop racetrack, just short of a mile, and now shrouded in a forest popular with area birders and wildlife Lovers.
[cheerful music] Now an idyllic place for a weekend stroll, it's hard to imagine the days when thousands of fans cheered, and cars tore around the track at speeds over 100 miles per hour.
- Being outside and connecting in nature is part of the human experience.
It's good for our physical health.
It's good for our mental health, and it's a huge community builder.
[leaves rubbing] - [Narrator] Soon the Occoneechee Speedway Trail will officially become part of Eno River State Park, ensuring the unique history and nature here will be preserved for generations to come.
[cheerful music] [birds chirping]
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Ten to Try is a local public television program presented by PBS NC
The series was produced in partnership with the Great Trails State Coalition for the NC Year of the Trail and with generous support from the SECU Foundation.