2023 is the Year of the Trail in NC

Whether you want to walk, run, hike, bike, paddle, or ride, there’s a local trail for everyone.

Kayaking at Forest Ridge Park

Kayak, mountain bike, paddle board, or hike the trails of Forest Ridge Park in Raleigh.

Photo by RALtoday

If your New Year’s resolutions involve getting outside more or leveling up your weekly walks, you’re in luck — 2023 is the Year of the Trail in NC. This campaign celebrates our state’s vast network of trails, greenways, and blueways through guided adventures, learning opportunities, workdays, and more.

In 2021, the NC General Assembly designated 2023 as the Year of the Trail. Why? This year marks the 50th anniversary of the 1973 North Carolina Trails System Act, which created the NC Trails Program.

NC is the Great Trails State and it shows. Trails are the cornerstone of outdoor recreation in NC, which provides 260,000+ jobs and has an economic impact of more than $28 billion. NC has 12 state trails and 40+ state parks with hundreds of miles of trails (think: Hanging Rock and Pilot Mountain State Parks).

A map of NC's state trails.

NC has 12 state trails.

Courtesy of NC Trails

Whether you want to walk, run, hike, bike, paddle, or ride, there’s a local trail for everyone. Find a trail near you and view trail events.

More from WStoday
From composting to planting seeds, these workshops will teach you best practices for growing your garden.
Chantae Reynolds turned an idea into a grassroots effort to gather locals and help small businesses thrive in the city through a Cash Mob initiative.
Sponsored
Discover how the drive-thru coffee spot became a hub for artists and coffee lovers in Winston-Salem.
Make the most of good weather by taking your meals al fresco on one of Winston-Salem’s many beautiful patios.
Help us create a growing guide to small businesses by submitting your favorite local makers, restaurants, and professionals, and sharing this page with a friend.
Philanthropist Andrew Carnegie built a handful of libraries around the US, here’s the story of the Twin City’s first library.
What registered voters need to know before going to the polls.
Bookmark this guide for a curated list of events taking place each month that we’re most looking forward to.
Sponsored
Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist’s annual benefit concert returns in May with an all-new lineup.