Schenck Memorial Forest is home to a hike that I call the Zombie Tunnels Trail. Just in time for Halloween, here is a turn-by-turn route description so you can take this somewhat spooky hike yourself! The hike is 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 at 11ish miles for the full route, it's a pretty good distance.   #Idratherwalk #HalloweenHike #HikingRaleigh

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.

All tunnels could be zombie tunnels...
All tunnels could be zombie tunnels…

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 🙂

According to legend, Brigadoon only appears for one day every 300 years.
According to legend, Brigadoon only appears for one day every 300 years.

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.

New construction on the Schenk access road off of Reedy Creek road.
New construction on the Schenck access road off of Reedy Creek road.

 

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Memorial at the picnic shelter along the Schenck Service Road
Memorial at the picnic shelter along the Schenck Service Road

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.


Carl Alwin Schenck

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

Carl Alwin Schenck, in 1926
Carl Alwin Schenck, in 1926

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.


Welcome sign at the picnic area on the Schenck Service Road
Welcome sign at the picnic area on the Schenck Service Road

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.

Entry to the Schenck Service Road from the gravel road off of Reedy Creek.
Entry to the Schenk Service Road from the gravel road off of Reedy Creek.

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


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.

New buildings under construction on the freshly-paved access road near the Schenk Forest entry.
New buildings under construction on the freshly-paved access road near the Schenk Forest entry.

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.

Current parking for access to Schenk Forest trails.
Current parking for access to Schenk Forest trails.

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.)

Sign directing cars from Edwards Mill road to the "Schenck Greenway Parking".
Sign directing cars from Edwards Mill road to the “Schenck Greenway Parking”.

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

New dirt road cut through what used to be horse pastures to the left of the Forest entry.
New dirt road cut through what used to be horse pastures to the left of the Forest entry.

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 😉

View of construction area from the new Forest access parking.
View of construction area from the new Forest access parking.

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.

A Capitol Area Greenway sign marks the entrance to the Richlands Creek trail.
A Capitol Area Greenway sign marks the entrance to the Richlands Creek trail.

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?

Sign at the Loblolly Trailhead
Sign at the Loblolly Trailhead

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

There are several hiking  trails you can try within Schenck Forest boundaries.

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.

Fern-lined trail in Schenck Forest.
Fern-lined trail in Schenck Forest.

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

 

Loblolly Trail

Loblolly Trail (Schenck) follows a segment of Richland Creek Trail, part of Raleigh’s Capital Area Greenway, through the forest.
P
Within Schenck Forest, the trail follows Richland Creek upstream from Reedy Creek road.
 
        • 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.
Trailhead at the picnic area.
Trailhead at the picnic area.

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.

An open horse pasture runs alongside the Schenck Service road.
An open horse pasture runs alongside the Schenck Service road.

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 

Map of the Richland Creek Greenway route.
Map of the Richland Creek Greenway route.

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

You can easily imagine zombies in there...
You can easily imagine zombies in there…

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.

Here’s a step-by-step account of what you can expect, starting from the RBC Center road entry point.

Get The FREE Zombie Tunnels PDF!

Sign up to get your FREE "Zombie Tunnels" pdf!
Sign up to get your FREE “Zombie Tunnels” pdf!

Everything that you need to go on the Zombie Tunnels hike is included in this post. 

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

For your convenience, you can click here to sign up and download your FREE “Zombie Tunnels Hike” PDF file.

You can print it out and refer to your hike route anytime you want. Happy hiking!  LJ


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.

Starting down the Richlands trail from the RBC parking area...
Starting down the Richlands trail from the RBC parking area…

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.

Yes, you are going the right way! Keep going...
Yes, you are going the right way! Keep going…

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

You'll pass through a tunnel that goes under Edwards Mill Road.
You’ll pass through a tunnel that goes 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.)

Keep going straight and ignore the gate and bridge.
Keep going straight and ignore the gate and bridge.

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.

This grassy section can get wet!
This grassy section can get wet!

The Zombie Tunnel

Prepare to enter the Zombie tunnel!
Prepare to enter 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.  🙂

Author uses the rope to help balance along the tunnel ledge.
Author uses the rope to help balance along the tunnel ledge.

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.

Creek and ledge outside the tunnel entrance.
Creek and ledge outside the tunnel entrance.

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.

This portion of the trail can get very muddy.
This portion of the trail can get very muddy.

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.

The trail becomes narrower and more defined for a bit.
The trail becomes narrower and more defined for a bit.

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.

White blazes on the trees will help you stay on track.
White blazes on the trees will help you stay on track.

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.

Cross the plank bridge and keep going.
Cross the plank bridge and keep going.

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).

Fenced horse pastures run along the Reedy Creek Greenway for much of the section along Reedy Creek Road.
Fenced horse pastures run along the Reedy Creek Greenway for much of the section along Reedy Creek Road.

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.

Connecting with the Loblolly Trail in Umstead State Park.
Connecting with the Loblolly Trail in Umstead State Park.

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.)

Trail Distance:

  • 4.3 miles (out & back from RBC to end at Richland Lake)
  • 12ish miles (RT from Loblolly Trailhead in Umstead to RBC)

Trail Difficulty: Easy


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!

Click this photo to subscribe and get your FREE pdf of this training.
Subscribe to get your FREE pdf of the plan!

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.


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:

Richland Creek Trail elevation and map

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. 

Going down Schenck Service Road.
Going down Schenck Service Road.

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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Schenck Memorial Forest is home to a hike that I call the Zombie Tunnels Trail. Just in time for Halloween, here's a turn-by-turn route description so you can take this somewhat spooky hike yourself! The route is 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 at 11ish miles for the full route, it's a pretty good distance.

Schenck Memorial Forest is home to several fun natural trails, uncluding a hike that I call the Zombie Tunnels Trail. Here's a turn-by-turn description so you can take this hike yourself! It's not a technically difficult hike, but at 11ish miles for the full route, it's a pretty good distance and a lot of fun!

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LJ

LJ has spent much of her free time as a single Mom - and now as an empty-nester -  hiking in the US and around the world.  She shares lessons learned from adventures both local and in exotic locations, and tips on how to be active with asthma, plus travel, gear, and hike planning advice for parents hiking with kids and beginners of all ages.  Read more on the About page.