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May 2023 -
All trails are open and good to use for hiking and horseback riding. Section 13 has a root balled tree that you may need to find a short way around.

Oct 2022 -
The bridge on Section 11 needs to be removed as water is running over it anyway. We are trying to contact the Landowner to get permission to use an access road to carry it out, but haven't been able to get in touch with him. We will continue attempts to contact him.
Section 13's bridge had some rotted boards at one end that have been replaced and plans are to put a non-skid tread on it.

June 2022 - All trails are cleared and marked for use.

March 2022
    * We have great news! Section 11 has been cleared of all downed trees and is open to all hikers and horseback riders.
   
* NC DOT is replacing the bridge on Rt 66 over Vade Mecum Creek. This is where part of our trail follows Rt 66 near the east end of Section 4. Until the bridge work is complete we have to re-route the trail around the work area. Here is the re-route

* The Booth Loop has several trees down that are 2 to 3 feet off the ground. Hikers can probably get around this without too much trouble but horseback riders will have trouble. We recommend horseback riders stay off the Booth Loop until we can clear the downed trees.

May 2021
   Partially Closed Sections -  James Booth Loop - Segment along the creek closed for grading and removal of trip hazards.

    Closed Sections - 2, 3, 13, 15, 16
                                       
    Open Sections - RM Collins Trail,  James Booth Loop down to the creek and Sections 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 14

Recent trail work includes the entire James Booth Loop being cleared with a chainsaw along with re-blazing. Progress is being made on Section 13 as the tangle of downed trees have been removed and a re-route around a washed out creek bank has been rough cut and marked.

Jan. 2021
We are currently working to create a short trail section which will keep hikers and horseback riders off busy Old Winston Rd. As you may know there is currently a detour in effect for Section 15 that runs along Pilot Knob Park Rd and continues to Old Winston Rd leading to the Old Winston/Coon Rd Parking area. The new trail section will provide a way to get off the busy Old Winston Rd and we will keep you posted when trail is ready.

Jan. 2020
Section 13 is closed per Landowner request. We have a temporary way around this closure and are working on a long term resolution. Please see detour instructions here. These detour instructions are also posted on the kiosks at the Old Winston/Coon Rd parking lot and the Brim's Grove parking lot.

Part of Section 12 has been re-routed to get trail users off Brim's Grove Rd. Please see re-route map here. This map is also posted at the Brim's Grove parking lot kiosk.

The new Pilot Mtn Visitor Center construction affects Section 15 and 16 of the Sauratown Trail

Pilot Mountain Park Superintendent, Matt Windsor, requested we forward the following statement to trail users:

"Construction will start on Pilot Mountain State Park’s Visitor Center November 12th. This will close the section of trail that makes up the Grassy Ridge Trail and the start of the Sauratown trail between Pinnacle Hotel Rd and Pilot Knob Park Rd. We plan to relocate and reopen this trail once the building footprint is completed.”

The temporary closure will impact both the Sauratown Trail and the Mountains-to-Sea Trail near the construction area.

Trail Completions:

The Ruben Mtn. trail is now complete! Some of you may remember this is the old Sauratown Trail Loop located across the street from Tori's Den on Charlie Young Rd. It has been re-routed some and is a complete loop trail. It's now maintained by Hanging Rock State Park. If you get the opportunity check out this new trail loop.

Trail Closures:

05/2016    Section 15 is temporarily closed. Section 15 is the section of trail located between Pilot Mountain State Park and Old Winston Rd.

Please use the following detour:

Heading east, away from Pilot Mountain State Park and the Highway 52 overpass:
Follow Pilot Knob Park Rd for 1.1 miles until you reach the intersection of Old Winston Rd. Turn left onto Old Winston Rd. Continue on for 3/4 of a mile and turn right onto Coon Rd. Trail Head is on the right just pass the railroad crossing.

Heading west from Old Winston Rd Parking Lot:
Turn left onto Old Winston Rd and continue on for 3/4 of a mile. Then turn right onto Pilot Knob Park Rd and continue on for 1.1 miles. Trail head will be on your left just under the Highway 52 overpass.

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08/2015    Yadkin River Trail Railroad Tracks closed to horses

NOTICE: The railroad tracks along the Yadkin river are closed to crossing by horses. Riders can still access the river from Yadkin County (East Bend). Due to a legal agreement with the railroad, the railroad crossing on the north (Surry County) side of the Yadkin River is closed to crossing and riding by horses. The property is owned by the railroad and not the state park. Please respect the landowner's wishes, failure to do so is considered trespassing. Riders can still ride out and back to the islands from the south (Yadkin County) side of the river, but must stop on the northernmost big island (Fishing Island). More information on the details of the closing

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Spring 2013   Sections 2 & 3 are permanently closed

Sections 2 & 3 (between Mickey Road and NC-66) are permanently closed to all users.

A road detour is available for thru-hikers, but it is not appropriate for equestrians. The detour involves NC-66, which is a very curvy road with fast traffic and little road shoulder.

STA is working to establish a new trail route for this area, and help will eventually be needed with trail construction. If you are interested in helping work on the trail, please contact us about being placed on our trail work email list. STA is sorry for any inconvenience this may cause trail users.

 Hiker Detour for Sections 2 & 3

 

If you are on any of the Sauratown Trails and run into a problem of downed trees or washed out trails, please let us know the problem and trail section. (STA)