Hiking Trails

ladies walking trail

The North Carolina Zoo invites its guests to venture down one of our many hiking trails. Please respect the Zoo rules and the privacy of adjacent land owners.

Purgatory Trail

kid walking trail looking up

Dogs are welcome on Purgatory Trails

  • Dogs must be leashed (max 6 ft.) at all times.
  • Dogs must have current rabies vaccination and not be left unattended.
  • Dog owners are responsible for cleaning up after pets.
  • Only qualified service animals are allowed inside the Zoo.

Middle Mountain Trail - .6 miles long

The trail begins at the north end of the Zoo's North America Region parking lot the trail is accessible for wheelchair users with a wide, level gravel-paved path. This portion ends at a service road (please do not walk down the service road to the parking lot) before connecting to Purgatory Trail on the other side.

Purgatory Mountain - .7 miles long

Purgatory Trail begins at the north end of the Handicapped-accessible Trail (see above), on the other side of the service road (please do not walk down the service road). This trail continues uphill for a mile to the top of scenic Purgatory Mountain. It is a fairly easy walk.

Middle Mountain Trail - .6 miles long

This trail branches left off of Purgatory Trail and heads north along a rocky ridge, ending at the top of Middle Mountain.

View Trail Map