Roanoke Island, Manteo, Fort Raleigh

Roanoke Island, site of the Lost Colony and the pretty, bayside town of Manteo, has some good running options. It’s reached by bridge from Whalebone Junction.

Manteo Tour. We’ve mapped a pleasant tour consisting of the town’s pretty streets and sections along the water. Just of Rt. 64, Glenville St. leads to a 1/2 mile very pretty wooden boardwalk that has great water views. Then, head down to Festival Park and Sandy Point. The next section is inland a bit along 1121, past the high school, where you’ll then do a nice 1-mile waterfront run along Mother Vineyard Rd. Return to Manteo, and enjoy the pretty streets of Old Town. Can be shortened by starting right in Manteo or eliminating the Mother Vineyard section.

Fort Raleigh National Historic Site protects and preserves known portions of England’s first New World settlements from 1584 to 1590. Located at the tip of Roanoke Island, near the North Carolina Aquarium. One can put together a pleasant 3-4 mile run here, combination paved and trails through a maritime forest. This includes the 1.25 mile Freedom Trail, which leads to North Park and great water views. Another treat is the Elizabethan Gardens, a historic Botanical Garden.

Longer Option: Connect our Manteo and Fort Raleigh runs by running along Rt. 64 (decent  sidewalk/bike path) for 2.1 miles from Mother Vineyard Rd.