Like most everything else in our lives, going to the park has become stale…routine…even forced. It’s time to head back to the real outdoors. Not simply for the fresh air and to be with nature, but to be with ourselves. To not feel the crowds. To leave our phones behind. To regain our space. Most of all, to share that space with the ones we care about.

In Granville County, we have the perfect solution: the Ledge Creek Forest Conservation Area, a 457-acre nature area owned by the Tar River Land Conservancy.

In 2013, the Conservancy acquired 220 acres where 3 miles of trails were created for public access. Since then, other families worked with the Conservancy to preserve an adjoining 178 acres as a legacy to their families. This added land allowed the Conservancy to create an additional 2½ miles of trails. Most recently, In December 2022, TRLC received the 59 acre Battaglia Tract from Mr. Fred Battaglia. Located southwest of Oxford, the property is completely forested except for six acres of wetlands and provides habitat for dozens of species of wildlife.

For Derek Halberg, Executive Director of the Tar River Land Conservancy, Ledge Creek is just what the people (and Mother Nature) ordered. "With two convenient trailheads located near Stem, people can get away from the roads and their busy schedules," says Halberg. "You can quickly get into the woods and really feel like you are in nature."

According to Halberg, the trail network was designed to take advantage of the incredible topography of the region. "It is just gorgeous terrain. You have everything from boulders and rocky areas to large oak trees that line the slope above the creek." He is also extremely excited about the new 59 acre tract, "Fred’s incredible gift ensures that this land will remain green space forever," noted Derek Halberg, TRLC Executive Director. In the coming years, TRLC plans to work with local officials to create a new nature preserve on the property, which will include a network of hiking trails for visitors.

The fact that Ledge Creek has such hardwoods and foliage, means you have a different view each season. In the Winter you have a bit more open space and can clearly see the slopes and geology. In the Spring the wildflowers, dogwoods and ferns display themselves for hikers to appreciate. The Summer finds that nature’s cover often drops the temperature 10 degrees below what the overall region experiences. And of course the Fall brings all the colors to life.

Halberg notes that the trails themselves have been planned and groomed to provide hikers the opportunity to take advantage of the terrain itself. "The trails have been laid out in a way that you enjoy both sights and sounds of the forest. We have a number of streams and tributaries as well as mini-waterfalls that further add to the hiking experience. Additionally, footbridges have been installed for easy navigation, and benches are placed to allow people to stop and listen to what Mother Nature has to offer."

The trails at Ledge Creek Forest Conservation Area are considered easy to moderate in difficulty – meaning ideal for both casual and those hikers looking for additional exercise.

Halberg is quick to note that the area is the result of the many volunteers and members of AmeriCorps who were invaluable in the development and maintenance of the trails. "We absolutely would not be where we are today without them," says Halberg. "But as important as their physical efforts, the folks who helped build these trails are users of the trails. They appreciate that we need to live with nature, and to continue to take care of it."

The Conservancy anticipated an interest and demand for the trails at Ledge Creek, but it has really delivered more than anyone ever expected. "We spend so much time in our offices and cars, it is so good to walk along Ledge Creek and immerse yourself in nature, says Halberg. "It’s simply good for the body and soul."

Ledge Creek Forest Conservation Area is located in Stem, NC. It is easily accessed from the Raleigh-Durham area and provides a beautiful respite for those traveling on I-85. Ledge Creek – is indeed good for the soul…and Uniquely Carolina.