These are our trails. This is our year.

DISCOVER THE GREAT TRAILS STATE

IN NORTH CAROLINA, THERE IS A TRAIL FOR EVERYONE, PLACES OF REFUGE AND RECREATION, CONNECTING US TO THE VERY ESSENCE OF THIS STATE.

Walk

NORTH CAROLINA IS FULL OF AMAZING PLACES TO SOAK UP THE GREAT OUTDOORS.

PEDAL

FROM MOUNTAINS TO SEA, YOU’LL FIND
ROADS AND TRAILS READY TO BE EXPLORED.

PADDLE

DISCOVER NORTH CAROLINA’S
BLUEWAYS AND SCENIC WATERWAYS.

RIDE

SADDLE UP FOR A RIDE
THROUGH NORTH CAROLINA.

Find The Trail For You

NORTH CAROLINA IS THE GREAT TRAILS STATE

In North Carolina, there is a trail for each of us. An open invitation for bikers, hikers, paddlers, and riders. For amblers, explorers, and commuters. These paths are a place of refuge and recreation, connecting us to the very essence of this state. To its storied, winding history. And—with our active use and care—to its future. Because we blaze and sustain trails together: those born and bred here, and those beckoned by its promise as the Great Trail State. Along these trails, we lead and we follow. We march on our own and we build community. We find new purpose, generation after generation. Because North Carolina’s trails are for all of us. To enjoy, to sustain, and to champion. This is our year. The Year of the Trail.

We need trails. To move, to play, to discover.

What exactly is Year of the Trail?

Building Trails & The Best Job in the World with Lisa Jennings

Lisa Jennings is the Recreation and Trails Manager for the Grandfather Ranger District in Pisgah National Forest. Working for the United States Forest Service (USFS) wasn’t always what she envisioned doing, either. Read on to hear Lisa’s story that she shared with us…
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Bridging the Gap with Vivianette Oritz

Vivianette Oritz is the Co-founder and Executive Director of Latinos Aventureros. Their mission is to help everyone experience the outdoors by supporting and educating community members, with a primary focus on the BIPOC community. All communications are in Spanish and English in order to help bridge the gap.
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Q&A With Trailblazer Jennifer Pharr Davis

Jennifer Pharr Davis is an internationally recognized adventurer, speaker, author, and entrepreneur who has hiked more than 14,000 miles of trails on six different continents. Jennifer serves on the Year of the Trail Honorary Committee, and when it comes to getting outside and on a trail, she’s as pro as it gets, so naturally, we had to give her a few questions!
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Make a Date With a Trail

Can a dirt path through the woods really be a romantic place? You could ask my friends Marcus and Krista. Several years ago they each signed up for a four-day backpacking trip on the Uwharrie Trail, organized by the Three Rivers Land Trust… They joined close to a hundred other hikers participating in the event. After 4 days and nearly 40 miles of hiking, it’s not unusual for hikers to come away with a few dozen new friends!
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Art and North Carolina’s Year of the Trail

Five artists chosen for the Year of the Trail Artist Program were challenged to create artwork themed around the story of “why trails are important to North Carolinians and our visitors.” The artwork created brings out the unique style of each artist, boldly focusing on what Year of the Trail means to them. Read more to learn about their art and how it ties into Year of the Trail!
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Creating Trails and Greenways for All

As an avid runner and biker and a former New York City Parks Commissioner overseeing over 30,000 acres of parkland, I have seen and experienced the benefits of trails and greenways firsthand. As a Black man, the reality of enjoying trails and greenways is different. I am not always comfortable being isolated in the woods, especially if I am alone.
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It’s Year of the Trail in North Carolina – So what?

In North Carolina we are the product of our environment. The people who can greet a sea breeze in the morning and tuck into a mountain chill at night. Who sprout from land that rolls across the hills of the piedmont. Who shape cities that hustle and bustle beside glistening rivers. Across this vibrant stretch […]
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Winter Hiking – We’re In it for the Views

No matter if you make it to the western part of the state for a mountainous excursion or across town to a nearby trail or greenway, it’s worth it to make it outside in the winter and appreciate the beauty that the seasons bring North Carolina.
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Kicking Year of the Trail off with First Day Outdoors!

2023 is Year of the Trail in the Great Trails State, and it’s almost 2023. Have you started planning what you will do on your “first day outdoors”? January 1st is the start of a new year and Year of the Trail here in North Carolina. While it’s easy to quickly assume that it’s going […]
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The Great Trails State

2023 is Year of the Trail in the Great Trails State, but how did we settle on North Carolina as “The Great Trails State” anyways? As with most anything, there is a bit of historical significance behind it all. Let’s take a quick look at a few things that explain how we got here. From […]
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