I parked my car at the Cox Mountain trailhead. I decided to first tackle the northern trails taking Buckquarter creek trail up to Knight and Piedmont trails. I touched the three gates there before heading down and running Ridge trail and then Shakori. Next I circled back to Fieldstone trail to Holden Mill, backtracking to the bridge before beginning the loop. After Holden Mill I took another short out and back from the bridge to make sure I completed all of the Buckquarter Creek trail. Then I head back along the river back to the suspension bridge to complete Cox Mountain and Fanny’s Ford trails. My favorite direction to run the loop is clockwise. I finished this area with the grassy Eno Trace loop before heading back to the parking lot for a resupply. Here there is a water spigot and bathrooms with running water.
I decided to take the 3ish mile road run on Cole Mill and Pleasant Green to get to the next section of trail. Be cautious here of traffic. I was relieved once I got to Laurel Bluffs trail. At this point it was getting pretty hot for me so the shade was welcome. The Eno Quarry was beautiful and full of people. I made it to Cole Mill Road and climbed up to the road to cross the bridge. Be cautious here as well. I chose to run the Bobbit Hole trails first so that I could refill liquids at the Cole Mill spigot. Then I headed to Pea Creek and Dunnagan trails, before crossing the Cole Mill Rd bridge again to hop back on the MST to finish out the run, ending on Guess Road.
This is a really fun route full of beauty and history. I hope that more people do it.