Hike to the Zombie Tunnels! – Schenck Forest’s Richland Creek Trail

Most recently updated May 4th, 2023

Estimated Reading Time: 10 minutes

The Zombie Tunnel Hike is a route that goes from Umstead State Park, and all the way through Carl Alwin Schenck Memorial Forest – with the help of the Richland Creek Trail.

I’ve been leading this hike for years, and people really enjoy it. 

At over 11 miles, it’s a good long hike, but it’s pretty flat, and has a lot of different features – like Zombie tunnels!

Okay, there may not *actually* be any Zombies, but it sure looks like there could be….and one time I did find a mutant fish in there 🙂

I don’t host this hike very often because conditions need to be just right or the route is impassable, and I hate to disappoint anyone.

The other thing about this route is that, depending on recent weather conditions or new construction, parts of the trail have been known to disappear like Brigadoon at sunrise.

So earlier this year, before I posted the hike for others to join me, I decided to take a look and see if the route was still there – and still the same.

Good news!  The route was still there – and still mostly the same.  In fact some parts had actually been improved!  

Now – just in time for Halloween! – I’ll tell you what I found, and how to get there – and maybe you can go try this somewhat spooky trail for yourself…

UPDATE:  There have been some major changes to the Schenck Forest access area over the past few months.   Read on for more updated info.

 

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About Schenck Forest

Carl Schenck Memorial Forest, like  Umstead State Park , is centrally located, with trails that intersect with a multitude of other outdoor walking and hiking venues in the Raleigh and Cary area.  

The 300-acre forest is owned by North Carolina State University in western Wake County between Cary and Raleigh. 

As a teaching and research forest, its primary mission is education, but the public is allowed access for hiking, picnicking and nature viewing.

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Carl Alwin Schenck

The forest is named for Carl Alwin Schenck, a German forester who came to the United States in the late 19^th century to work at George Vanderbilt’s Biltmore Estate.

Considered the father of American forestry, Schenck established the Biltmore Forest School near Brevard, the first school of forestry in the United States.

His school greatly influenced the industry in America, and his work on the future Pisgah National Forest set an example of forestry practice at its best.

NCSU’s 300 acre teaching forest allows students to learn and put into effect the principles of selective logging. 

These principles enhance the protection of diversity in the forest habitat, and nurturing of future resources.

Biltmore’s huge forest became a National Park, and Schenck Forest in Raleigh is very popular.  These wonderful natural spaces for public enjoyment make a fitting memorial to Carl Schenck and his work.

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Getting Into the Forest

There are several ways to get into Schenck Forest, and  – like a lot of places – they’re mostly defined by where you can park your car to start your visit.

Entry off of Reedy Creek Trail

Schenck Forest is to one side of the Reedy Creek Trail, which runs along Reedy Creek Road from the NC Museum of Art to the southern entrance of Umstead State Park.

To reach this entrance to the Schenck Forest, follow Reedy Creek Road until you cross Edwards Mill Road, then drive about two-tenths of a mile and take the first street on the left.

NOTE:  Due to construction, Schenck access  and parking has changed.  See update below.

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Recent Construction and Changes to the Forest Access

A couple of years ago, approx. 40 acres across the Schenck Access Road from the main entry to the forest was cleared of trees to become an overflow parking lot for the NC State Fair.

A few of months ago, construction of at least one large glass and steel building and one large parking structure began in that same field, and access and parking at the Schenck access road was no longer possible.

But Schenck parking is back now!!

The gravel access road was paved over and widened, with some parking spots along the sides, and large buildings under construction across the street from the Schenck Forest entry road.

You can still access the trails by walking across the Reedy Creek Greenway on the walkway from the Loblolly Trail out of the Umstead State Park side of the road.

You can also park your car in  new “Schenck Forest Greenway” parking area adjacent to the construction site, and walk down the newly-paved road to the entry. 

(For a time there was a dirt road cut through the horse meadows to access the natural trailheads from the picnic shelter area, but that has since been closed.)

You can get to the parking area on the open field from Edwards Mill Road, then drive through the construction site.

Forest and trail access may change as construction progresses, but currently all of the trails below still exist and are accessible as stated.

That said, I find all of the tree-clearing and construction much more frightening than the Zombie tunnels 😉

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Entry from RBC Center Road (still available)

Take your favorite route to Edwards Mill Road and turn onto RBC Center Road.

Watch for the parking lot on the left just before RBC Center Road intersects with itself.

There’s a greenway trail head sign on the little hill at the corner of this parking lot. (Access to this lot might be a challenge if the RBC Center is hosting an event.)

Entry from Umstead State Park (still available)

If you have more time, and want a longer hike, why not add a portion in Schenck Forest onto your next Loblolly hike through Umstead?

Park at the Harrison Ave entrance to Umstead State Park, and start your hike at the Loblolly trailhead. 

Taking the Loblolly Trail to the edge of the park will bring you to the junction with Schenck’s Loblolly Trail, which you should follow to the  Reedy Creek Greenway.   

Cross Reedy Creek Greenway at the sign and continue into NC State’s Schenck Forest.

NOTE:  No dogs or bicycles are allowed in the forest. (The strict leash rules were implemented in 2005.)

Enforcement via horseback, bike, and undercover on foot takes place afternoons and weekends.  Violators may be banned from the park for a year.

Schenck Forest Trails

Frances L. Liles Trail

Francis L. Liles Interpretive Trail splits from the main access road near the parking and leads through the forest and terminates at Loblolly Trail.

Interpretive signs are located along the trail so visitors can learn about forestry practices.

 

Loblolly Trail

• • • • Northbound, the trail continues out of the forest, across Reedy Creek Road and ends at the boundary of  William B. Umstead State Park.  From there it continues as Umstead Park’s Loblolly trail.
      • Southbound, Schenck’s Loblolly trail goes uphill and to the left at the intersection with the Richland Creek Trail, and ends at the picnic area along the Service Road.

Schenck Service Road

The main service road leads from the gate at the parking area across the forest, bisecting it.  Interpretive displays along the road give some good details about forestry in practice.

A picnic area with a shelter and another trailhead is just off this road (on the right) in the first quarter-mile, and horse pastures – with horses! – are to the left.

Richland Creek Greenway 

Richland Creek Greenway is a 3-mile trail that runs primarily through the Schenck Forest. 

There are a couple of places you can start your Richland Creek Greenway hike:

• • • One one end the trail starts at a small parking lot across the street from the RBC Arena , goes under Wade Ave and ends at the Reedy Creek Greenway.
    • On the other end, you could start at the cul-de-sac at the end of the Service Road into the Schenck forest, where a narrow trail  heads down to the creek and up the Richland Creek Trail.

NOTE:  According to the Capital Area Greenway System Map,​ both dogs and bicycles are prohibited on the entire length Richland Creek greenway.

Hiking the Zombie Tunnels Trail

What I call the “Zombie Tunnels Trail” is really a combination of the Loblolly Trail in Umstead State Park, the  Schenck Loblolly Trail, and Richlands Creek Greenway.

It’s not a technically difficult hike, but it’s a pretty good distance.   

I like it because it covers a variety of terrain, and has some interesting features – like the tunnels 🙂

The hike is an out-and-back, with a total of ~12 miles if you do the whole route from RBC Road to the Loblolly trailhead in Umstead, and back.

Along the Zombie Tunnels Trail

Starting from the parking area outside the RBC Center, the southeast end of the trail, your first few steps will be on a paved section of greenway.

This paved path will abruptly end in front of a chain link fence.  As you approach, you might be wondering if you’re in the right place.

Don’t worry – you’ll see that a subtle path through the grass to the right continues the trail. Follow this path along the fence and cross any rocky ditches or bodies of water you come across.

You’ll come to another piece of paved greenway and follow it under Edwards Mill Road.

As you emerge from the tunnel, you’ll want to ignore the snazzy little footbridge at the end of the sidewalk to your left.  (That takes you nowhere you want to go.)

Cross into the grass again and scramble over another rocky ditch.

This next section of wide, grassy trail is definitely prone to flooding. Large puddles will wait for you if there’s been rain in the past couple of days.

The Zombie Tunnel

Re-enter the forest and after another 0.25 miles you’ll come upon another tunnel under the highway.

This one might be a little forbidding, though, because it’s at the same level as another tunnel right beside it, a tunnel full of water. 

It’s also pretty dark inside.

This is the one I call the “Zombie Tunnel”…  But, you’ll be fine.  🙂

NOTE:  Last year the amber-hued older lights were replaced with bright halogen bulbs so the ambience isn’t nearly as spooky.  It’s still a fun hike, though!

The creek runs through the left tunnel, and you’ll cross on the lighted side on the right.

The far side is a bit tricky,  and you might need to use the rope that’s there to help you balance your way across the edge of the creek.

Once you complete the scary tunnel ledge part, there’s another little creek to cross here, too.   

There are rocks for that.

From this point, you’re in Carl Schenck Memorial Forest and the trail follows along creekside through some lowlands that get flooded when it rains.

In Schenck Forest

The Richland Creek trail continues as a wide, puddle prone path along the creek with westbound Wade Ave a few meters away.

The trail gets a little obscure in the next part, but as long as you stay within sight of the creek you won’t lose your way.

This portion is flat and easy to navigate.  And you’ll feel pretty comfortable about where you’re headed.

Continue onto a narrower, more single-track-like section of the trail, that leads you over terrain with a mild hill here and there.

At one point in the trail, there’s a somewhat confusing array of trees and matted leaves on the ground, making the trail a bit tough to discern. 

Look for the city greenway trail marker.

If you’re still confused, ignore the sign and just concentrate on where the creek is.   

• • If you’re heading to Reedy Creek Road and Umstead, the creek should be to your left;
  • If you’re going back towards the RBC Center, the creek should be to your right.

White blazes are painted on trees along the trail to keep you on the right track.

The trail integrity breaks down a bit in some areas, but you’re generally funneled back to it if you keep walking.

In about a half mile you will reach a little plank bridge – cross it and and keep going. 

About 100 feet up the trail to your left is a large pond, that goes into Richland Lake (across the greenway from Schenck).

The very end of this heavily wooded trail intersects with Reedy Creek Road, and the roadside segment of the Reedy Creek Trail.

Cross Reedy Creek Road and go right on the paved Reedy Creek Trail.

Follow the paved greenway until you come to a stairway heading down into the woods on your left. 

Take the stairs and follow the trail that borders Richland Lake. You’ll climb through a pipe fence and go up a grassy hill for a great view of the lake.

Next, follow the trail down the other side of the hill, through some open green space, and go through a gate to go back into the forest.

The Schenck Loblolly trail ends in the woods where it connects to Umstead’s Loblolly Trail.

(Umstead’s Loblolly continues a few more miles from that intersection back to the trailhead at the Harrison Ave entrance.)

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If you’d love to hike the Zombie Tunnels trail, but 12 miles feels like a LOT, maybe my hike training plan could help you work up to it.  

Get The FREE PDF!

Everything that you need to start your 8 Week hike training is included in this post. 

But it’s a long read and may be inconvenient to refer to while you’re training.

For your convenience, you can click here to sign up and download your FREE “8 Weeks to Awesome” PDF file.

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Richland Creek to Loblolly Map

As you can see, there’s not a lot of elevation gain on this trail, which is part of why it has an “easy” rating:

The “Zombie Tunnels Hike” is just one of the ways you can combine trails in the Carl Alwin Schenck Memorial Forest with the Capitol Greenway System, Town of Cary Greenways, and Umstead State Park trails. 

I hope you get a chance to go try the Zombie Tunnel hike for yourself soon! 

If you have any other questions drop me a line at idratherwalkblog@gmail.com and I’ll respond as quickly as I can.

Learn more about other places to get outdoors on your own or with the kids on my Hiking Destinations page.

Thanks for stopping by – see you next time!  LJ

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