Welcome! Thursday, March 28, 2024 | Login | Register
   

Year of the Trail -- hiking, cycling, paddling, walkin- something here for everyone!

Comment     Print
Related Articles
A view of Chimney Rock on a clear, but extremely windy day at Chimney Rock State Park. Normally a U.S. flag flies on top of the rock but high wind warnings that day meant the flag was kept safe inside. Jan B. Cook Photo.

The State of North Carolina designated 2023 as the Year of the Trail and four months into the year, many of the Rutherford County trails continue to be visited every day by locals and tourists. 2023 marks the 50th year anniversary of the 1973 North Carolina Trails System Act and fortunately for people in the state and the millions who visit here each year, there are trails for everyone. The Year of the Trail's goal is to inspire people to try out trails, showcase trails' importance, boost recreation tourism, promote trails' safe and responsible use, and advance diversity and inclusion on trails.

Rutherford County is home to dozens of trails for hiking, walking and biking. Along some trails are exercise equipment and benches for the enjoyment of those passing this way.

Many of the trails offer water and picnic areas while others are more remote trails that require more serious hikers.

From the 13.5 mile Thermal Belt Rail Trail from Forrest Hunt Elementary School to Gilkey to the shorter three miles of trails at Isothermal Community College, Rutherford County has something for everyone to get outdoors.

There are four miles of hiking trails in Chimney Rock State Park. Some are ranked as difficult but the Great Woodlands Adventure Trail is an easy trail for families and children. There are child-friendly photograph opportunities along the trail.

Summey Park in Forest City, Crestview Park and Kiwanis Park in Rutherfordton also have walking paths and trails as the Purple Martin Trail leads walkers into Kiwanis Park.

There are six unique trails within the Chimney Rock portion of Chimney Rock State Park, and the Park staff is featuring a different one each month in celebration of the Year of the Trail.

The Outcroppings Trail is special in many ways, said Park staff on the Facebook post. It's one of the most trafficked in the Park because it takes hikers to the top of Chimney Rock. Those who choose not to take the elevator, the Outcroppings Trail is one to explore. It's also unique because it is made up of 500 stairs that navigate several rock outcroppings along the route to the Chimney. Before this network of stairs existed, the only way to access the top of the mountain was by donkey. The stairs have been updated many times in the last 100 years, most recently in the early 2010s. This trail is only about 0.5 miles round trip, but has often been called the ultimate stair master.

The Thermal Belt Rail Trail with its 13.5 miles is also among the most widely used trails in the area since its completion in 2019. The more than $7 million, 12 foot wide trail was built with a number of partners in Forest City, Spindale, Rutherfordton, Ruth, Rutherford County and the RHI Legacy Foundation, among those.

Facts prove the trail system connects communities and brings economic development to the area.

It is estimated, said Rutherfordton Town Manager Doug Barrick, more than 100,000 people use the trail annually. It is particularly popular with cyclists as dozens are seen on the trail on any given good-weather day.

The trail is used by residents and tourists and has become a destination trail for those outside of the county and state.

When the Purple Martin Greenway was completed in Rutherfordton, there were obvious economic changes to the area. A bicycle shop opened, an ice cream store changed locations to be nearer the trail and a developer won town approval in 2019 to build Park Crossing, a 180-unit apartment complex at one end of the greenway.

Barrick said in one interview some time ago, "None of that would have happened if not for a two-mile paved path that connects two parks." The trail allows visitors to explore wildlife, creeks, waterfalls and local plant life, not far from downtown. Children who visit the trail are known to play in the creek for as long as they can convince the adults who are along, it's the best day ever.

"Our goal was to provide an avenue for community wellness, so our residents would have a better quality of life," he says. "These trails help bring people together. We've really seen it come together to build community."

"People say all the time that we want to grow, but we want to keep that small-town feel," Barrick said. "These trails have helped create a sense of community. They build a camaraderie with folks."

The Year of the Trail also celebrates all the greenways and paddleways.

It is proven greenways can improve the physical health and wellbeing of residents in towns and in the country.

The Broad River Greenway near Gardner-Webb University in Cleveland County offers places for picnics, hiking, padding and swimming in some areas of the river.

A 0.4 mile trail that was built in 2020 by the Carolina Climbers Coalition with permission from the Village of Chimney Rock was recently was designated as a segment of North Carolina's Hickory Nut Gorge State Trail."We truly appreciate your efforts in creating and maintaining the Hickory Nut Gorge state Trail. It is only through this type of partnership that our state trails can move from vision to reality," said D. Wilson Reid Wilson, Secretary of the NC Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.

"Another vital partner in this effort is Conserving Carolina -- the official partner organization for the Hickory Nut Gorge State Trail," he said.

"Thank you for your support and development of the Hickory Nut Gorge State Trail. We value this partnership and look forward to continued celebration," he added.

The trail is a short hike up to a view of Chimney Rock Mountain and Hickory Nut Gorge with more than 50 boulder problems for climbers. The trail was built with the leadership of the Carolina Climbers Coalition with easements and support from Chimney Rock Village.

The trailhead is located at the top of the Chimney Rock Village paid parking lot at "The Gathering Place - Barbara Meliski Park" and next to Burntshirt Vineyards tasting room.

The Rutherford Outdoor Coalition (ROC) has an excellent list of Rutherford County trails for walking or hiking as well as trails in nearby counties and in the region. Each hike has a description of the length and whether it's an easy hike or difficult one. Visit www.rutherfordoutdoor.org/hiking-walking for all the details.

Among trails on ROC's website are:

Chimney Rock Boulders Trail -- 0.3 miles

Chimney Rock State Park -- 4 miles, multiple trails

Cowpens National Battlefield -- 4.5 miles

Crestview Park Walking Path -- 0.3 miles

Dittmer-Watts Nature Trail Park-- 3.5 miles

Morse Trails -- 1 mile

Lake Lure Town Center -- 0.5 miles

Thermal Belt Rail Trail -- 13.5

Wood Patch Mountain Trail -- 8.6 miles

Purple Martin Greenway-- 2 miles

Rocky Broad Riverwalk -- 013 miles

Rutherford County Walking Path (Senior Center) -- 0.5 miles

Rumbling Bald at Chimney Rock State Park -- 1.5 mile

Summey Park -- 0.25 miles

ICC Trails -- 3 miles, multiple trails

South Mt. Christian Camp -- 3 plus miles

Young's Mountain Trail -- 2.1 mile

Also Check out more information about the Year of the Trail at Great Trails State Coalition NC.

Read more from:
Latest News
Tags: 
None
Share: 
Comment      Print

Powered by Bondware
News Publishing Software

The browser you are using is outdated!

You may not be getting all you can out of your browsing experience
and may be open to security risks!

Consider upgrading to the latest version of your browser or choose on below: