If you don’t have time to go all the way out to the Neuse River Trail, you can crop your loop by using side streets, such as Donald Ross Drive, to link the Walnut Creek Trail to the Crabtree Creek Trail. Before this route leaves the greenway in the Worthdale neighborhood, it covers some of the oldest parts of the Walnut Creek Trail. There are a few bone rattling tree root heaves in the asphalt, but the worst section is only about a mile long. Before and after the stretch, the surface is newer, and well worth the ride.
Shorten the route by riding Milburnie into town instead of Crabtree Creek Trail. Lengthen the ride by continuing on Crabtree Creek Trail to Kiwanis Park, or all the way around west Raleigh.
The Link
This two mile link between the Walnut Creek Trail and the Crabtree Creek Trail goes up over a spine in the Raleigh topography, providing a nice climb either way you ride it. The roads are generally quiet, but the Poole Rd. intersection with Donald Ross Dr., can be busy.