If you’re looking for a hiking trail near Greensboro that feels nothing like anywhere else in the Triad, you need to know about the Chinqua-Penn Walking Trail in Reidsville, NC. It’s completely free, genuinely beautiful, and has a piece of North Carolina history that most visitors have no idea they’re walking through.

The Basics

Address: 2138 Wentworth Street, Reidsville, NC (Rockingham County)
Website: chinquapenntrail.org
Drive time from Greensboro: About 30 minutes via US-29 North
Drive time from Winston-Salem: About 50 minutes
Admission: Free — donations appreciated and go directly to trail upkeep
Trail type: 1.6-mile circular loop
Surface: Mostly gravel and dirt, including sections of historic 1920s farm roads and carriage trails
Difficulty: Easy to moderate — gentle terrain with a few uneven sections
Time needed: 45 minutes to 1.5 hours, depending on how much your crew stops to explore

The History That Makes This Trail Special

The land was once part of the Chinqua-Penn Plantation, a 1,000-acre working farm owned by Betsy and Jeff Penn in the first half of the 20th century. Jeff Penn was known for his prized Black Angus cattle herd — and the cattle grazing along the trail today are descended directly from that 1940s herd. It’s the kind of specific, surprising detail that makes this trail memorable rather than just another walk in the woods.

Betsy Penn donated the land to the state in 1954. Decades later, in 1997, Dr. Joe French and a group of local volunteers created the walking trail itself, and volunteers — with help from Upper Piedmont Research Station staff — have maintained it ever since, funded entirely by donations.

Jeff Penn’s own words still capture the spirit of the place: “Come, and you may find some meditation for the mind, some solace for the soul, some harmony for the heart. Anyhow, come!”

What You’ll See on the Trail

Old-growth forest for most of the loop, shaded and peaceful in every season
Two ponds along the route
Grazing cattle — cows, bulls, and calves along the fence lines, descended from Jeff Penn’s original 1940s Black Angus herd (do not approach or feed them — they’re real working farm animals)
Stone ruins from structures where the Penns once entertained guests
Historic carriage roads dating to the 1920s, now part of the walking path
A glimpse of the historic mansion in the distance — it’s privately owned and not open to the public, but visible from parts of the trail
Wildlife — the property’s ponds, pastures, and forest support birds, deer, turtles, and more, so keep an eye out with the kids

The broader property is also home to the Betsy-Jeff Penn 4-H Educational Center (established 1964) and sits on 835 acres of the Upper Piedmont Research Station — which explains both the farmland setting and the cattle you’ll see grazing as you walk.

Practical Tips for Visiting

Wear sturdy shoes — the trail is gravel and dirt, and can get muddy after rain
No facilities on the trail, so plan to use the restroom before you arrive
Strollers aren’t ideal given the gravel/dirt surface; a carrier works better for young toddlers
Check chinquapenntrail.org for the current pet policy before bringing your dog
The trail sits in a rural area where GPS can be spotty — download or screenshot directions before you go
Donations can be made directly at chinquapenntrail.org and go straight to trail maintenance
Check the website for any closures or trail conditions before heading out

Best Times to Visit

This is genuinely a four-season trail. Spring brings wildflowers, fall foliage along the old carriage roads is beautiful, summer is well-shaded despite the heat, and winter offers a quiet, peaceful walk with fewer crowds.

FAQs

Where is the Chinqua-Penn Walking Trail? Wentworth Street, Reidsville, NC, in Rockingham County.

Is the Chinqua-Penn Trail free? Yes — it’s free to visit, with donations supporting volunteer-run maintenance.

How long is the trail? A 1.6-mile circular loop.

Is the Chinqua-Penn mansion open to the public? No. It’s privately owned and not open for tours, though you can see it from parts of the trail.

How far is it from Greensboro? About 30 minutes via US-29 North.

Is it good for kids? Yes — the terrain is manageable for most kids, and the grazing cattle, ponds, and stone ruins give them plenty to discover along the way.

Is the trail stroller-friendly? Not ideally, due to the gravel and dirt surface — a baby carrier works better for younger kids.