This beautiful boardwalk and trail leads from the road to the sound, traversing through maritime evergreen forest, swamp forest and brackish marsh. Along the 2/3-mile out-and-back route, you’ll see live oaks and loblolly pines, yaupon, holly, bayberry and wax myrtle, plus, closer to the water, sedges, cattails, black needle rush and giant cord grass. You may see signs of animals, like scat or tracks, or possibly the animals themselves. Birders love this boardwalk because it gives them the ability to go deep into several habitats without getting so mucky. Along the boardwalk are a couple of places to rest and an information kiosk. At the end, the boardwalk has bench seats that look out over a creek and the sound with the final informational panel. It’s serene, quiet and absolutely beautiful walk on the sound side. Part of the North Carolina Estuarine Research Reserve, this 965-acre area is protected in its natural state for use as a natural laboratory. Much of the land in this area is protected. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service manages the 3,674-acre Currituck Banks National Wildlife Refuge north of here for waterfowl, wading birds and shorebirds.
Currituck Banks National Estuarine Research Reserve Access Trail
Soundside, End of N.C. Highway 12, North of Corolla, Corolla