Each month in 2023 (other than January), The Cary Report will feature a different greenway! There are 39 greenways located in Cary, and each article will feature information about the greenway so that you can plan your next walk. You can click here to view the others!
Morris Branch Greenway is a quiet and beautiful 2-mile greenway located in northwest Cary near Morrisville. It connects to the Amberly Lake Loop greenway, allowing you to travel a scenic route through developments, wooded areas, and a lake all in one go.
While this is an absolutely delightful greenway that you should definitely check out, you should know that the parking situation can be tricky. There is no dedicated parking for this greenway, meaning you will have to park on-street. According to the Town of Cary’s website, the following are spaces where you can park:
- Park on-street at Birrus Hall Circle or Ashdown Forest Lane to access the trail at Yates Store Road.
- On-street parking near Carpenter Fire Station Road or Allforth Place will give access along the west side of Morris Branch Trail.
- On-street parking along Mountain Maple Drive is near two trail access points in the Village At Amberly Square Subdivision.
- Green Level Church Road gives access to the eastern entrance to Morris Branch Trail.
- The trail can be accessed from Yates Store Road at Brookhill Way for the southern side of Amberly Lake
When checking out this greenway, we parked near the beginning of Ashwood Forest Ln (link to spot in Google Maps) which ended up working perfectly. As always, be mindful of where you park to be respectful to the residents of the area.
If you don’t mind a longer hike, you could also park at the New Hope Church Road American Tobacco Trail parking lot (2584 New Hope Church Rd, Cary, NC 27519) and take the Panther Creek Greenway which connects to the Morris Branch greenway.
The lake is the obvious main highlight of the greenway. There is a fountain in the middle of the lake, an abundance of wildlife, and an almost overwhelming sense of calm. You can jump on the Amberly Lake Greenway (which runs along the south side of the lake), and then use the sidewalk to continue onward to the rest of Morris Branch. Attached is a screenshot of Google Maps to help, as it is a little funky how the greenway splits. You would be coming from the southwest portion of the screenshot.
This is a great greenway to walk, run, or bike. It is entirely paved and doesn’t get much foot-traffic due to the lack of dedicated parking. If you’re looking for a quiet afternoon stroll, this might be the perfect spot.
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