May Creek Trail — Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025

I was short on time on a Sunday in December.  I wanted a trail that was within 30 minutes, was shorter, but had some elevation to get a reasonable workout.  I saw that 7 other people had given this hike 4 stars.  So, I went for it.

This is a very residential hike.  No trailhead.  I just parked in the neighborhood right by the start of the hike.

The trail is in excellent shape.  And, there were a number of nice improvements done by the local Eagle Scouts.  Towards the beginning of the trail there were a couple kiosks with nice write-ups of the history of the area.  And, the scouts also built a few nice benches, including the bench in my picture right next to the creek. There are excellent signs pointing you in the correct direction.

Of course, there were no bugs this time of year and there is no snow at this elevation.

All-in-all, May Valley is certainly a very nice patch of woods in the middle of residential Newcastle.  But, it is not big enough to make you feel that you have left civilization.  The trail abuts backyards frequently.  When it turns downhill towards the creek, there is a short distance where you feel a little more in the woods.  But, when you get to the bottom, where the trail is right next to the creek, you can hear plenty of cars passing by on the road on top of the opposite ridge.

If this trail were in your neighborhood, you would love it and use it frequently.  I just would not drive any reasonable amount of time for it