Hiking

Fort Raleigh's trail often wind through maritime forest environments, like the Freedom Trail pictured here

NPS Photo/Edwige Moses

While Fort Raleigh is most well know for the history and cultural parts of the park, the nature part of the park is also a highlight that one should not miss! Fort Raleigh has two different different trails that explore different parts of the park, but also have exhibits on different parts of the history here. Learn more about each of the Fort Raleigh trails below. Always remembers to plan like a park ranger. Bring water and appropriate footwear while hiking. The trails can be hot and humid during the summer with no additional water.

In addition to the two Fort Raleigh park trails described below, the Roanoke Island Multi-Use Trail also follows the boundary of the park along Highway 64. Starting at Freedmens Point, the multi-use trail goes 7 miles along Highway 64 into downtown Manteo. This paved trail allows people to walk, run, bike, or horseback ride from the park into town. The multi-use path can be used as a loop with the Freedom Trail for an almost 2.5 mile loop. Watch for bike riders on the path and cars at the crossing of Weir Point Dr.

 

The Hariot Trail has waysides explaining English history as well as some natural history of Roanoke Island

NPS Photo

Thomas Hariot Nature Trail

The Thomas Hariot Trail is the shorter of the two Fort Raleigh trails. Starting near the Fort Raleigh Earthworks, the Hariot Trail weaves a 0.3 mile loop through the maritime forest of Roanoke Island. The sandy trail with access trails to the beach has sights across the Roanoke Sound to the barrier island communities of Nags Head, Kill Devil Hills, and Kitty Hawk. On clear days, the Wright Brothers Monument is visible on Big Kill Devil Hill across the sound. The trail has several wayside exhibits highlighting Algonquian and English history of Fort Raleigh. The loop trail returns to its starting point near the Fort Raleigh Earthworks. Look out for signs of wildlife along the trail, as squirrels and birds abound in the maritime forest.

 

The Freedom Trail winds through stands of loblolly pine trees, wetlands, and more

NPS Photo

Freedom Trail

The Freedom Trail is the longer of the two Fort Raleigh trails, traversing the north side of the island from Fort Raleigh to Freedmen's Point. The 1.25 mile one-way trail starts in the parking lot for the Elizabethan Garden crossing through dense forested areas of Roanoke Island. The trail ends at Freedmen's Point near the Old Mann's Harbor bridge, an area of the island that was part of the Freedmen's Colony of Roanoke Island. The trail travels through loblolly pine forest with sections of dense undergrowth. Along the trail are 9 sihouettes and 8 waysides highlighting an individual story from the Freedmen's Colony on Roanoke Island. A return journey can either be done on the same trail or the Roanoke Island multi-use path can be walked back to the park. Be careful of bikers and cars when you walk back up to the visitor center.

 

Freedom Trail Silhouette Figures

On the Freedom Trail are 9 silhouettes representing 9 different people who were a part of the history of the Freedmen's Colony here on Roanoke Island. Read a little bit about their lives here or walk the Freedom Trail to learn more about who they were and how their story has come to light.

Annice Jackson, Marie Ferribee, and Alice Ferribee

Annice Jackson and her daughters, Marie and Alice are the first silhouettes. Annice led her daughters and herself to emancipation and to Roanoke Island, where the daughters first received a formal education. Annice had to leave the island though because of her wanted status and had to continue moving around until the end of the Civil War.

Thomas Robinson

Thomas Robinson was born enslaved on Roanoke Island, but emancipated himself by rowing to the Union Army on Hatteras Island. He supplied information to the Union generals about the defensive fortifications on Roanoke Island, helping to plan the Battle of Roanoke Island.

London Ferebee

London Ferebee escape enslavement and reconnected with his father in New Bern, before coming to Roanoke Island and the Freedmen's Colony. Here he became a student and then assistant teacher, helping to education others who come to the colony seeking education. 

Fanny Whitney

Fanny Whitney and her family were enslaved in Hyde County, but came to Roanoke Island after the Union Army came and helped freed them. After relocating to Roanoke Island, Fanny's husband enlisted in the USCT and died during his service in the war. 

Spencer Gallop

Spencer Gallop worked on Roanoke Island cutting down trees for the Union forces after the Battle of Roanoke Island. When the Army began recruiting on the island, Spencer enlisted and served in the 36th U.S.C.T. becoming one of the first official Black soldiers in the U.S. Army.

Sarah Freeman

Sarah Freeman was a missionary teacher who came to Roanoke Island to assist the Freedmen's Colony. She opened schools on the island educated recently freed people and helped lead them to a better life. 

Jimmy Banks

Jimmy Banks was a young boy on the island as part of the Freedmen's Colony. With his parents missing, he came under the care of Sarah Freemen and helped raise him on the island before he moved with her to Indianapolis after the Civil War was over.