Sauratown Trails Association

Announcements

Bow Hunting Season is here!

Bow hunting season for deer begins September 10th, 2022, and continues through November 4th, 2022.   The Sauratown Trails Association encourages all riders and hikers to be especially careful during bow hunting season.  Wear bright colors, talk loudly, make noise.  Try to time your hike or ride, in the middle of the day, avoiding prime hunting times of early morning and just before sunset.  Please be extra careful during this time.  As always, the trails will be closed during the gun hunting season, November 5th - January 2, 2023.

Corridor Trail renovations

The northern part of the Corridor Trail at Pilot Mtn State Park is undergoing stream restoration during the week but not on weekends. So if you ride or hike the Corridor Trail during the week it will be closed from the Surry Line Parking lot to about a half a mile south. You can still use the trail from the Hauser Rd parking lot, just know that it will be closed as you get close to the Surry Line/Culler Rd parking lot.

Brim's Grove parking lot improvements

Last October big improvements were made to the parking area on Brim;s Grove Rd thanks to Lexi Edsall, her Girl Scout Troop and other members of her family and friends. We now have a brand new larger picnic shelter, a combination bench/mounting block, a re-painted hitching post to tie horses and a new kiosk for trail info.  STA thanks Lexi and all who helped with these great improvements!

Here is a video Lexi made of how to safely use the mounting bench.

 

A Guide to the Sauratown Trail Signs & Markers

Older announcements...

Our Trails...

The Sauratown Trail is a unique 25 mile bridle and hiking trail that connects Hanging Rock and Pilot Mountain State Parks. It is an official section of the North Carolina Mountains-to-Sea Trail, and is maintained by the Sauratown Trails Association. Our trail is unique because we rely on the generosity of private landowners who allow us to build, use and maintain trails on their property. The trails may be used by all horseback riders and hikers regardless of whether or not they are a STA member. The trails are located in Stokes and Surry Counties in north-central North Carolina.

 

Trails are open when...

The Sauratown Trails are open most of the year to all horseback riders and hikers. Bikes and motorized vehicles are not allowed. For your safety, the trails are closed only during deer hunting season (November to January) and wet, muddy conditions. When the state parks close their trails due to wet weather, Sauratown Trails are also closed. Please check the State Park websites for trail closure notices if there is any question. Pilot Mtn State Park   Hanging Rock State Park

Parking Lot Directions

Currently there are 5 parking areas. Four of the parking areas are for horse trailers and cars, and one small area on Rockhouse Rd. is for cars only. They are listed here in order of largest to smallest.

• Old Winston Rd/Coon Rd
• Surry Line/Pinnacle Hotel Parking
• Tories Den
• Brims Grove
• Rockhouse Rd. - cars only

Camping

Camping on the trail is not allowed, however, there are several locations near the trail where you can stable your horse or put up a tent and camp overnight for a small fee. Please check the websites below for availability and fees.

• Mountain Trail Stables
• Pilot Knob Inn
• Bregman's Trail Riding
• Jomeokee Campgrounds (people camping only)

Additionally, Friends of the Mountains-to-Sea Trail maintains a list of local volunteers who offer assistance to hikers in the way of local information, lodging, food and shuttle services. Here is a link to the Trail Angels Info. (See Segment 7 for the Sauratown Trail)

You can also camp at Pilot Mtn. and Hanging Rock state parks if you are hiking only.