HIGHLIGHTS:  The Anne Springs Close Greenway is a nature preserve opened in 1995 by members of the Close family who have owned the land for over 200 years. The 2,300 acre Greenway is located just south of Charlotte, NC and it is a beautiful park-like facility that is managed with no assistance from the federal or state government.

The hike is profiled in a counter-clockwise direction, so walk south from the Nature Center and turn right once the trail reaches the Lake Haigler. The lake is stocked with bass, catfish, and carp and is popular for fishing. So you may see some fisherman during the hike, and the pooch should respect their interest in casting along the banks – although it may be difficult for them to resist wading along the shore.

After a short distance, hike around the Greenway campground and around the western side of Lake Haigler. There are two bridges in this area that traverse arms of the lake and hikers can enjoy some fantastic views of Lake Haigler from them. The trail heads east after the second bridge along the southern shore of the lake then loops back to the north across the damn and spillway for the lake. The Nature Center is only a short distance from here, so turn back to the west and complete the loop.

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