Nearly every recreation area at Jordan Lake has hiking trails. Most are easy walking trails suitable for all ages. They total about 19 miles of designated trails. Pets must be on a leash and bikes are not permitted on any trail.
Many have blooming plants in spring and summer along trails and are part of the Piedmont portion of the N.C. Birding Trail (ncbirdingtrail.org). Hiking trails at campgrounds (Poplar Point, Crosswinds) are for campers only.
New Hope Overlook has the most challenging trails (moderate difficulty)—5.4m loop Red trail and 2.7m mile Blue. They both have steep hills and offer sweeping views of the lake. Vista Point has two easy trails, Red 3m and Blue 1m. Seaforth has Pond trail (1/4 mile loop) that was renamed Kids in Parks Track Trail, starting at the far end of the beach parking lot. Ebenezer Church, Parkers Creek also have trails. All are State Park Trails.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has 4.3m of trails near the Visitors Center at the Jordan Dam.
The N.C. Educational State Forest on the Pittsboro side of the lake off Big Woods Road has a series of trails, picnic facilities. The Talking Tree trail is under repair/renovation.