Photo by Julie JarvisThe Al Buehler Cross Country Trail in Durham, NC is a running/hiking/walking/biking trail that runs around the perimeter of the Washington Duke Golf Course near Duke University Campus.  The main loop is a wide, fine gravel trail 2.9 miles (5 kilometers) in length with an additional exercise loop trail that adds an additional .7 miles.  According to the Duke Forest website, the Al Buehler trail is not technically part of the Duke Forest, but the trail is maintained by the Office of the Duke Forest as a service to the University and the Durham community. 

In addition to the main trail, there is an exercise loop trail with exercise stations (pull ups, balance beams, etc.) as well as wildlife observation areas and nice views of the Washington Duke Golf Course.

You can find a current Al Buehler trail map with distances at the Duke Forest website here:  http://www.dukeforest.duke.edu/location/Al_Buehler_trail_distance.pdf

Photos by Julie JarvisPhoto by Julie Jarvis

Directions to the Al Buehler Trail

Here is a Google maps link with a marker where the parking lot is located:  http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msid=214098327826148071305.0004ab0ef56cdc53f8bc3&msa=0&ll=35.996436,-78.951874&spn=0.005156,0.011362

From Durham: Take I-85 to exit 174a for 15-501 heading south. Get off 15-501 at exit 107 (Hwy 751 - Cameron Road). Make a left at the end of the exit ramp to go under the highway and continue on Cameron Road. After you pass Erwin road, turn into the gravel parking lot entrance is about 100 yard further on the right. It is not marked, so if you get to the entrance to the Washington Duke Inn you have gone to far.

From Raleigh: Take I-40 west and get off on route 147 (the Durham Freeway) going north. Start on freeway until exit 16 (route 15-501) and take 15-501 south toward Chapel Hill. Get off 15-501 at exit 107 (Hwy 751 - Cameron Road). Make a left at the end of the exit ramp to go under the highway and continue on Cameron Road. After you pass Erwin road, the turn into the gravel parking lot entrance is about 100 yard further on the right. It is not marked, so if you get to the entrance to the Washington Duke Inn you have gone to far.

From Chapel Hill: Take 15-501 north, get off at exit 107 (Hwy 751 - Cameron Road), make a right at the end of the exit ramp.  After you pass Erwin road, the turn into the gravel  parking lot entrance is about 100 yard further on the right. It is not marked, so if you get to the entrance to the Washington Duke Inn you have gone to far.