Duncan Road, The Maze and Bass Lake Loop

The primary parking area is located within Moses Cone Memorial Park. For a slightly longer experience that includes the Bass Lake Loop, you can also start from the US 221 parking slip, which adds about 0.4 miles to your hike.

Yes, this trail is dog-friendly! Your canine companions are welcome to join you, provided they are kept on a leash at all times.

The trail is enjoyable year-round. Fall offers vibrant foliage, especially around Bass Lake. It's also a good option for winter hiking and even cross-country skiing when there's snow, particularly the accessible Bass Lake Loop section.

No, there are generally no fees or permits required for hiking the trails within Moses Cone Memorial Park, including the Duncan Road, The Maze, and Bass Lake Loop. It's free to access and enjoy.

The terrain varies. The Bass Lake Loop is largely flat, unpaved gravel, suitable for wheelchairs and strollers. Duncan Road and The Maze are carriage roads, offering smooth, forested paths with minimal elevation changes, making them generally easy to navigate.

You'll enjoy continuous lakeshore views around Bass Lake, often with the historic Moses Cone Manor visible in the distance. The carriage roads, Duncan Road and The Maze, traverse tranquil deep forests. You might also pass the old Cone Manor Apple Barn.

Absolutely! The Bass Lake Loop is particularly easy and accessible, perfect for families and beginners. The extended loop incorporating Duncan Road and The Maze is rated as moderate due to its length (approximately 7.5 miles), but the terrain remains generally gentle, making it suitable for those looking for a longer, yet still manageable, hike.

Yes, sections of this route utilize and intersect with several other trails within Moses Cone Memorial Park. You'll find yourself on parts of the Mountains-to-Sea Trail: Segment 5, Duncan Road, Deer Park Road, The Maze, and the Entrance Road.

The Bass Lake Loop is renowned for its accessibility. It's a flat, gravel path that is suitable for wheelchairs and strollers, making it an excellent choice for individuals with mobility challenges, families with young children, or anyone seeking an easy, scenic stroll.

To enjoy the tranquility of the forested carriage roads like Duncan Road and The Maze, consider hiking during off-peak hours or weekdays. For the best views of Bass Lake and the Moses Cone Manor, the Bass Lake Loop offers continuous scenic vistas, especially beautiful in the morning light.

The full loop, covering approximately 7.5 miles (12 km), typically takes around 3 hours and 17 minutes to complete at a moderate hiking pace. This duration allows time to enjoy the diverse scenery and features along the way.