Celebrate the Year of the Trail at one of these locations

If you're a hiker or spend time in the outdoors of North Carolina, you may know that 2023 has been declared the Year of the Trail.

Posted 5:30 p.m. Mar 7, 2023 — Updated 5:37 p.m. Mar 20, 2023

Tandra Wilkerson

, WRAL contributor

GRAHAM, N.C. — If you're a hiker or spend time in the outdoors of North Carolina, you may know that 2023 has been declared the Year of the Trail. Although my family hasn't explored as often lately, I consider this declaration exciting. Hiking is one of my favorite activities and I've shared some of our adventures with you before.

For instance, tips for hiking at:

Raven Rock State Park
Hanging Rock State Park

Take the Kids: Hanging Rock State Park

Trails obviously aren't just for hiking. Maybe you're a bike rider or enjoy leisurely strolls. Perhaps riding horses or paddling our waterways is more of interest to you. Either way, the goal is to get people outside enjoying the natural beauty our state gifts us. As much as my daughters and I love to travel, we can't help but rave about North Carolina trails and overall landscapes.

Occoneechee Mountain State Natural Area offers scenic views, safe distancing

I thought I'd virtually revisit and share some of the ones we've enjoyed. And know that although we've been to the parks listed below, we haven't yet hiked each individual trail.

Occoneechee Natural Area (Hillsborough) - Loop Trail 2.2 miles - 3 total miles of hiking trails
Occoneechee Speedway Trail (Hillsborough) - 1 mile loop
Shallow Ford Natural Area (Burlington) - 5 miles of hiking trails
Blackwood Farm Park (Chapel Hill) - Mary's Trail 2.3 miles, Alice's Loop 1 mile, Herbert's Loop .1 mile
Saxapahaw Island Park (Saxapahaw) - Loop Trail 1.3 miles
Cedarock Park (Burlington) - 4 miles of hiking trails, 6 miles of equestrian trails
Haw River State Park (Brown's Summit) - Over 40 miles of hiking and paddling trails
Raven Rock State Park (Lillington) - Fish Traps Trail 1.8 miles, Raven Rock Loop Trail 2.6 miles
Hanging Rock State Park (Danbury) - This link will guide you to PDFs of their extensive trail lists

Topsail Beach celebrates the Year of Trail with monthly hikes

Most of the future trails we want to hike are located within our state parks. North Carolina has 41 of them to choose from! Find a list of those parks on the North Carolina Division of Parks and Recreation website.

The Year of the Trail website will give you more relevant information concerning events around Year of the Trail. There's so much to do and many ways to get outside and enjoy.

For my family, getting back to biking is a consistent goal. It probably won't be as big of an activity as hiking, but we do like it. Cary parks have many biking trails we've enjoyed in years past. However, if I don't get my daughters out before sweltering heat arrives and insects fully emerge, I'll have to forget about any of this!

How will you celebrate North Carolina trails this year?

Tandra Wilkerson is a regular WRAL Family contributor. You can read more of her adventures on her blog, Thriller Mom. You can also find Thriller Mom on Twitter or Thriller Mom on Facebook.

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