In addition to the 3 trails in the Triangle, get to know 11 North Carolina State Trails that are worth exploring.
by Joe Miller

In addition to the 3 trails in the Triangle, there are 11 North Carolina State Trails for biking, hiking and paddling that are worth exploring. Learn about them here.

Editor’s note 10/3/24: Due to the effects of Helene, some of these parks may be closed now. Please check the individual websites before visiting.

Dan River State Trail 

This 90-mile paddle trail in Surry, Stokes and Rockingham counties offers challenging whitewater thrills upstream, becoming more placid — and beginner friendly! — downstream in Rockingham County. Partner: Dan River Basin Association; danriver.org 

Equestrian State Trail 

This horse trail is still in the conceptual phase, but the plan is that within a few years it will run through several counties south of the Triangle. Partner: North Carolina Horse Council; nchorsecouncil.com

Fonta Flora State Trail

About 31 miles of this 80-mile trail that will link Morganton to Asheville are finished, mostly in the Lake James and Morganton areas. The trail gets its name from a community that was submerged when Lake James was created more than 100 years ago. Partner: Friends of the Fonta Flora State Trail; fontaflorastatetrail.com

French Broad River State Trail

This paddle trail runs 115 miles on the French Broad, from Rosman to the Tennessee Line. Partner: Mountain True; mountaintrue.org

Haw River State Trail

This paddle and hiking trail runs from the Haw’s headwaters north of Greensboro to its conclusion in Jordan Lake. Twenty miles of hiking trail and 40 miles of paddle trail with 14 access points are currently accessible. Partner: Alamance Parks; alamance-nc.com

Hickory Nut Gorge State Trail 

This hiking and biking trail links Chimney Rock State Park, Florence Nature Preserve, Bearwallow Mountain and Rumbling Bald near Lake Lure. About 38 miles are currently accessible. Partner: Conserving Carolina; conservingcarolina.org

Northern Peaks State Trail

This 40-mile hiking trail will link Boone on the south to Mount Jefferson State Natural Area to the north. It’s currently accessible at Elk Knob State Park and Paddy Mountain in West Jefferson. Partner: Blue Ridge Conservancy; blueridgeconservancy.org

Overmountain Victory State Trail

This 225-mile stretch of the OVT in North Carolina follows the paths that patriot militia took to the Battle of Kings Mountain. Partner: Overmountain Victory North Carolina State Trail Friends Group; ovncst.org

Roanoke River State Trail

This paddle trail originates at Roanoke Rapids and ends at Albemarle Sound. It is known for the 16 camping platforms along the route, from Halifax to Edenton, which were developed by its partner, Roanoke River Partners; roanokeriverpartners.org. Reservations are required through Roanoke River Partners.

Wilderness Gateway Trail

This mostly hiking trail (there will be some biking, paddling and horseback sections) will run from Valdese and Hickory to South Mountains State Park, Bob’s Creek State Natural Area and to the Hickory Nut Gorge State Trail. Partner: Foothills Conservancy; foothillsconservancy.org

Yadkin River State Trail

This is a 163-mile paddle trail running from W. Scott Kerr Reservoir to Morrow Mountain State Park. Nearly all of this trail is accessible. Partner: Yadkin River Keeper; yadkinriverkeeper.org

The good thing about a trail system in its infancy? New trails are constantly opening. Keep up with the latest at getgoingnc.com.  

This article originally appeared in the October 2024 issue of WALTER magazine.