Embracing the Beauty of The Great Trails State at 75
Having recently celebrated my 75th birthday, I found myself reflecting on the incredible journey of being a lifelong hiker, with many years of it being on the trails of North Carolina. The trails that weave through this beautiful state have become not only a source of...
How to Explore North Carolina’s Trails without Leaving a Trace
Photo courtesy of OutdoorNC.com When it comes to enjoying the breathtaking beauty of North Carolina's trails, it's essential to follow the Outdoor NC Leave No Trace principles. These guidelines not only ensure the preservation of nature but also allow future...
Trails for the Future: How History is Shaping Trail Development in Randolph County
https://youtu.be/zZ1e9Q7UwDY Randolph County sits in the heart of North Carolina. Located approximately an hour from the millions of people living in Charlotte, the Triad, and the Triangle, it offers an escape from urban hustle and bustle through an abundance of...
30 Great Organizations to Volunteer with in The Great Trails State
While there are far more than 16, this short list is a good place to start if you’re interested in getting involved and volunteering on the trail!
Volunteers – The Backbone of The Great Trails State
As Earth Day approaches, many people are looking for ways to give back to the trails and local communities, and volunteering with an organization to do trailwork is one of the best things that anyone can do.
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…
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.
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!
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!
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!