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

    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…

    » Read More

  • Bridging the Gap with Vivianette Oritz

    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.

    » Read More

  • Q&A With Trailblazer Jennifer Pharr Davis

    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!

    » Read More

  • Make a Date With a Trail

    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!

    » Read More

  • Art and North Carolina’s Year of the Trail

    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!

    » Read More

  • Creating Trails and Greenways for All

    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.

    » Read More

  • It’s Year of the Trail in North Carolina – So what?

    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 […]

    » Read More

  • Winter Hiking – We’re In it for the Views

    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.

    » Read More

  • Kicking Year of the Trail off with First Day Outdoors!

    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 […]

    » Read More

  • The Great Trails State

    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 […]

    » Read More

  • 2023 is NC Year of the Trail!

    2023 is NC Year of the Trail!

    What Exactly is Year of the Trail, Anyway? 2023 is the Year of the Trail here in North Carolina, the Great Trails State. If you’re reading this, then you likely think that trails are great and, it’s indeed a catchy slogan but, there’s a lot more to it than just that. People have long noticed […]

    » Read More