Thomas Hariot Loop Trail trailhead near the Earthen Fort

Length: .4 mile loop (plus .2 mile, round trip to get to trailhead from the Visitor Center)
Time: 25 minutes, including stopping to read the information panels
Difficulty: Easy

Many National Parks have short nature trails designed to teach people about the plants and animals in the area. Most of the information panels are geared for children, and the walk is short enough that it is perfect for families. Of course you don’t have to be a child to hike the trails, for anyone looking to take a short walk and pick up a little knowledge along the way can enjoy a park nature trail, but for anyone interested in serious hiking, the nature trails are better left alone.

What sets the Thomas Hariot Nature Trail at Fort Raleigh National Historic Site apart from the typical nature trails is that in addition to the information on the plants and animals, the panels along this trail contain passages from the journals of Thomas Hariot, one of the scientists who went on the 1585 voyage to ascertain if the area would be a good place to start a colony. It is interesting to read what he thought about the different plants and how he had learned from the Indians about how to cook and eat them. The writing is old English and it is hard to understand until you realize that “f” is often an “s.” Once you get the hang of it, it all starts making sense.

Information panel along the trail with excerpt from Hariot’s journal

The Thomas Hariot Nature Trail starts just past the Earthen Fort. Though it is a loop trail, there are a few side trails that can cause confusion. First off, there is an intersection with another trail shortly after starting the hike. Taking this trail to the right brings you to the Waterside Theater where a long running play about the Lost Colony is held nightly during the summer season (this is not part of the National Park). A left takes you to the park administration building. To remain on the Hariot Nature Trail, stay straight. The thing to remember is that when you loop back you will come to this trail again, but just a little farther down towards the administration building. Just remember to take a left and then a quick right to get back to the Earthen Fort.

A second side trail comes about ten minutes into the hike. The trail has a wood rail in front of it, as if the National Park Service meant to block people from taking it. This short trail (2-minute walk) takes you to the Albemarle Sound, so might as well check it out. Other than these two minor points of confusion, the Thomas Hariot Nature Trail is a straightforward hike.