[piano intro] - Next on "North Carolina Weekend," join us from the Company Mill Preserve in Guilford County as we celebrate the Year of the Trail.

We'll go hiking in Elkin, explore the Fonta Flora Trail, and even go on a beer trail in the Sandhills.

Coming up next.

- [Announcer] Funding for "North Carolina Weekend" is provided in part by Visit NC, dedicated to highlighting our state's natural scenic beauty, unique history, and diverse cultural attractions.

From the Blue Ridge and the Great Smokey Mountains across the Piedmont to 300 miles of barrier island beaches, you're invited to experience all the adventure and charm our state has to offer.

- [Announcer 2] Funding for the North Carolina Year of the Trail series is provided by- - [Announcer 3] SECU Foundation, proving how contributions from SECU members can generate the support needed to make a difference across North Carolina in the areas of housing, education, healthcare, and human services.

[cheerful music] ♪ [cheerful music continues] ♪ [cheerful music continues] - Welcome to "North Carolina Weekend."

I'm Deborah Holt Noel.

And this week, we are celebrating the Year of the Trail.

2023 marks the 50th anniversary of the North Carolina Trail System Act established to help citizens and organizations manage all types of trails, for hiking, biking, horseback riding, you name it.

Today I'm exploring the Company Mill Preserve.

This Guilford County trail begins at an old mill waterfall and wines through luscious woodland.

We'll learn more about this preserve and the Year of the Trail later.

But first, let's head to the foothills with Teresa Litschke, as members of the Elkin Valley Trail Association introduced the world to Elkin one trail at a time.

[gentle upbeat music] - We started in 2011, and it was a compilation of a bunch of people that were just interested in trails.

Most people didn't realize it, but at that time, it was the only spot Elkin was in the state where three major trails came together.

One is the Mountains to Sea Trail, which goes from the Great Smokey Mountains to the outer banks.

The other one was the Over Mountain Victory Trail, which is a federal trail, and then it goes from Elkin down to Kings Mountain and they also had the first dedicated trail in North Carolina, was the Yadkin River Trail.

So it was a natural for us to look at that and say, "Let's do some trails."

- [Teresa] The Elkin Valley Trails Association is working hard to get all the Mountains to Sea Trail off the road and safely into the gorgeous countryside that surrounds it.

- From Stone Mountain State Park all the way to Elkin and then leaving Elkin going east towards Pilot Mountain State Park.

- [Teresa] They've completed 23 miles of trails around Elkin so far.

The entire Mountains to Sea Trail is almost 1200 miles.

The segment that stretches from Stone Mountain to Pilot Mountain is 70 miles, leaving over 50 miles of off-the-road trails yet to be built.

The association started with an old rail bed from the Elkin and Allegheny Railroad.

It was abandoned in the 1930s and provided the perfect route along the Mountains to Sea Trail from the park in Elkin heading northwest towards Stone Mountain State Park.

- It's eight-feet wide, gravel dust, very level.

That trail is what we call a social trail because you get three or four people and you're walking and you're talking and interacting.

- Now you don't have to worry about too steep of climbs and stumbling over roots and stuff.

- And we've put in 140 foot bridge, 100 foot bridge, 178 foot bridge, 45 foot bridge, and we've put a lot of bridges in and built a lot of nice trail.

- [Megan] Or you can get off the trail and find these short spurs that allow for a little more elevation or intensity or other use.

- [Teresa] Perfect for mountain biking.

- So since 2018, the mountain bike course and has developed in phases one, two, and three phase and from that was seven to eight miles of trails.

- [Teresa] The EVTA is still working to connect the rail trail to the remainder of the route to Stone Mountain and has installed three gongs along the way.

[gong clangs] In the meantime, they've completed other sections.

- [Jason] We've done the Grassy Creek area further building trail out there.

I mean, and that takes you to Carter Falls.

- [Megan] Which is a really neat area.

There's a 60 foot waterfall off Big Elkin Creek.

Currently there is a one mile loop trail and a parking area.

It's about one mile down to the falls and then back out.

- Once you get past the road going to Wells Knob and then from there towards Stone Mountain, but that's going west, but you can also go east.

So we have trails going that we're developing now going toward 77, just so many trails.

And then you get to Pilot Mountain.

- [Teresa] Since its inception, the EVTA has raised more than $1 million to build the trails, and there's no paid staff, just volunteers.

- So we've had over 4,000 volunteer hours a year sometimes.

- And that usually doesn't count everything.

Instead of a building a 20 foot bridge and it costs 20, $25,000, we'll get all the items donated and most of them donated and we'll put up the bridge in a day.

[gentle music] - [Teresa] Today Elkin gladly calls itself a trail town, but for outdoor lovers, the terrain, its rivers, and scenic beauty mean they definitely have an activity for you.

- There's a lot going on here, fly fishing, floating the river and paddling.

We would love to show you around.

[gentle music] - To learn more about the trails in Elkin and to volunteer for trail work and other fun activities, go to elkinvalleytrails.org.

Over the mountains and through the woods you can find a new 100 mile trail currently being built that connects Morganton to Asheville.

Let's head to Burke County where a new section has just been completed and offers amazing scenery of the Fonta Flora Trail.

- Plans for the Fonta Flora State Trail, it originated as a loop around Lake James and it grew from that because of the demand and request from people to expand the trail to their communities.

So if you think about Fonta Flora Trail, it's going to connect nine communities across three counties in Western North Carolinas.

- It's really good to kind of bang for your buck, I think, if you're in Morganton or Lenoir because it's not too far away for me.

It's maybe 40 minutes.

In Morganton, it's like 20, maybe 25.

And you can ride for hours out here and have a lot of fun.

So yeah, I come out here for some exercise or some fresh air.

[wind blowing] There's probably something evolutionary about it and primal.

Like a lot of people, especially those into nature, but I think people in general just kind of feel relaxed in the outdoors and kind of at home in some sense.

I, at least, I've heard that a lot from people who are really into outdoors.

And I feel that too.

[calm music] - It's made to be accessible.

So it's a multi-use, at this section, a natural surface trail.

So that means trail runners, hikers, mountain bikers, they're all welcome on the same trail.

It's a little wider to accommodate that usage.

And it's made to be accessible to as many people that want to use it as possible.

[gentle music] Starting at County Park, which is pretty much the most active trailhead on Fonta Flora Trail, you're gonna go through the County Park, which we call Iron Tree, and then you're gonna go through Wolf Pit Trailhead, which is a really lovely piece of trail.

It's just about as close as you're gonna get to the Linville Gorge on Fonta Flora.

And then you're gonna continue this way towards Linville Boat Access, which is another lovely strip of trail that hugs the shoreline of Lake James.

And then you're gonna continue on, if you go about six more miles, you'll get to Lake James State Park and their newly open section and Cove Bridge there, which is sort of our next on the lineup to celebrate.

- I mean, it's just a beautiful scene when you can go through the forest and head to lake and have a sort of a vista and take a look and just to hear it, just hear the wildlife and the wind.

[calm music] - Yeah, it was definitely a pretty easy, it was very like mellow stroll, which is, sometimes you want a little more like elevation, but it's also nice to have those opportunities to have a very mellow experience in nature where you don't have to, like, exert yourself to enjoy, like, the rivers and the trees and stuff like that.

[calm music] - [Amanda] Our feather that we have as our icon is eagle feather or is designed to be an eagle feather logo, which we know, I'm sure you've heard, that we have eagles that nest on Lake James.

And so we wanted to celebrate that fact and that was just something that we could kind of use as an icon for everybody to identify with Fonta Flora.

But really the heart of Fonta Flora is the community that existed here and that continues to exist here in Burke County.

We've gotten a lot of support from the local community.

Again, this trail sort of exists because of community demand and a request for a beautiful trail that goes around the lake.

And so different people supported it.

We have individuals.

We've had different businesses that have been really supportive.

A lot of our local businesses built the benches that you see that have the large feather across.

So we've had some great partners and we're continuing to seek those partners and recruit those partners every new segment of trail that we built.

[cheerful music] - Most of the completed Fonta Flora Trail is in Burke County around Lake James.

The plans are to construct a trail running from West Asheville to Morganton.

For maps and more information, go to trails.nc.gov.

I'm here with Palmer McIntyre, director of the Year of the Trail.

Palmer, what's the goal of Year of the Trail?

- There are several goals for North Carolina Year of the Trail.

One is, we wanna just get people outside on trails.

So explore the state through trails.

Trails where you get out and you move your body in some way.

So natural surface trails where you hike or bike, mountain bike or make trail running, or a paved greenway in an urban area.

You might go for a jog, you might go for a very casual walk, or ride your bike, or a paddle trail even where you can get in a boat and paddle down a river or across a lake.

So it's all kinds of muscle powered trails.

Here we are in Guilford County at Company Mill Preserve and it's a really wonderful spot for a trail that's one of Guilford County's passive parks.

We have a whole network of passive parks.

And you may not travel across the state to come to this trail, but it's an important trail for people who live around here because it offers that opportunity to connect with nature and take a peaceful break from the busy world out there.

So it's a great resource locally and there are many trails like this all across the state for people to explore.

- Oh, that is so good to hear.

And what would you say makes this the Year of the Trail?

- Well, it's a huge celebration for North Carolina.

It's the biggest celebration of outdoor recreation in our state's history and it's also the law.

So the General Assembly passed a law in 2021 designating this year, 2023, as North Carolina Year of the Trail.

And we're the first state to do this in such a big way.

So it's super exciting for North Carolina.

And we really want to shine the light on trails and just talk about how wonderful trails are across the state for not only the people who use them for all the health benefits and the wellness benefits, but also for the communities where these trails are located.

Because trails are also a form of tourism.

You know, they're outdoor recreation tourism.

It's a growing part of North Carolina's economy.

People love to go experience trails in different places of North Carolina.

We're blessed with this amazing diversity of landscapes.

You can go to the mountains, you can go through the rolling hills of the Piedmont, or you can go on a trail at the coast and see the beautiful forests of the coast.

Also, we want to recognize the role that volunteers have contributed to building trails.

A lot of the natural surface trails have been hand built by volunteers, they're maintained by volunteers.

So we wanna acknowledge that contribution to our trail networks in North Carolina.

We also wanna advance diversity and inclusion on trails 'cause trails are for everyone.

They're free to use.

So we just wanna make sure everyone feels welcome to use trails and has information about how to use trails safely and responsibly so that, you know, you have a positive experience and so we don't damage the resources that we're coming to visit.

- Palmer, how can our viewers get involved in Year of the Trail?

- Find a trail in your community that you haven't tried before and get out and experience it.

Another way to get involved is to find us on social media and our website.

@greattrailsnc, we're on all social media channels.

Our website is greattrailsnc.com.

So there's lots of information there about events that you can go to that are being celebrated throughout the year, there are ideas for finding trails on the website, and there's just gonna be fun content throughout the year that's informative and instructive, but yet also fun and engaging on our social media channels.

- Well, Palmer, thank you so much for showing us the Company Mill Preserve.

I can't wait to explore more of it.

- Well, we're so glad you're here.

Hope you have a great time exploring it.

There's some beautiful wetlands and boardwalks.

There's some historic structures along the trail.

Just enjoy the peace and quiet out here.

It's a great way to start North Carolina Year of the Trail.

- For more information about the Year of the Trail, go to greattrailsnc.com, and look for more Year of the Trail stories on "North Carolina Weekend" throughout 2023.

Trails can also be a long water, which are called blueways.

One such blueway offers over 140 miles of paddling, campsites, and over 200 species of birds.

Let's head on a journey down the Roanoke River Trail.

[cheerful music] [cheerful music continues] [cheerful music continues] [cheerful music continues] - 23 years ago in economic downturn in our region, a number of grassroots folks came together to think about what was some low hanging fruit in our region that we could draw some economic benefit from and the idea of camping platforms on our historic river surface.

And today we represent 15 campsite, beginning in Halifax going down to lower Roanoke, Plymouth area.

But even during recent virus, we've realized that our camping platforms and our paddle trail are a great place for people, especially urban people, to come, get outside, get away from other people and noises.

- [Narrator] Paddling out to one of the Roanoke River partners camping platforms reveals a beautiful wetland ecosystem.

Mature cypress trees and Blackwater tributaries lead the way to the Cypress Cathedral location, named for the mature cypress trees that surround the site.

Visitors can experience the sights, sounds, and currents of hundreds of acres of protected wetlands.

- There's an extensive barred owl population.

We enjoy them because they're very vocal all times of the day.

I could even demonstrate for you if you like.

Hoot-hoot for you, hoot-hoot for you all.

[owls hooting] - [Narrator] Traveling along Eastern North Carolina's Rowan Oak River is also a journey back in time.

[bright music] In 2008, the river was recognized as part of the National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom.

With the coming of the Civil War, enslaved African Americans traveled the river to escape slavery and make their way to freedom.

♪ If I'm gone and I won't be back ♪ - [Narrator] The Roanoke is not just for overnight camping.

North Carolina Wildlife Commission access points provide a convenient way to paddle the Roanoke for a few hours or multiple nights.

Canoe Trail markers throughout the system guide paddlers to the platforms.

Sections of the river also have cell phone capability.

So you can use your modern devices for pinpoint route finding during sunset hours.

[gentle music] The platform sites require the use of portable stoves for cooking.

Free standing tents make a night on the sites an easy setup.

- Of our 15 platforms, you'll find some that are a wooden structure, a wooden deck, that is completely surrounded by water.

You have to paddle in and paddle out.

This one here in Williamson is a little bit different than all the rest in the town.

Created this one as part of their riverfront development.

You're right on the edge of their downtown, so you can walk up to get something to eat, you can call for a pizza to be delivered.

And they do have a bathhouse here too, which midway your camping experience is nice be able to get a shower.

People who come then also spend money in our communities.

They buy some food and gas and ice, and that keeps our mom and pop businesses going.

Our trail is sustained, is through membership and through support from our small towns and our county governments.

And all of those pieces are critical to continuing a bare bones budget to be able to offer this really unique outdoor experience that now incorporates cultural heritage of our region for people to come from far and wide to learn more about the history and life here along the Roanoke River.

[cheerful music] - To find out more about the Roanoke River Trail including how to make a camping reservation, go to roanokeriverpartners.org.

Not all trails have to be muscle powered.

Trails can connect us to art, culture, history, even beer and wine.

In fact, we heard about one in the Pinehurst area called the Sandhills Pour Tour.

So we sent Rob Holliday to check it out.

- [Rob] In a place known around the world for its golf courses, this might be the cup that comes to mind first.

But North Carolina Sandhills region is increasingly coming to be known for cups like this.

- If someone hasn't been down to Moore County before, we have a bunch of great eclectic breweries at this point and each city has got a couple of them now.

- This destination, as everybody knows, we're called the Home of American Golf.

So everybody's familiar with pioneers, pioneers number two.

All the US opens we have here.

But this location is really kind of sneaky when it comes to, you know, the growing craft beer scene.

So we think we have some amazing, very competitive craft beer brewers here that are very innovative.

- The reality of Moore County is that we have probably, per capita, more breweries than a normal large town.

We've got four in this small area.

So you've got a lot of options now that we're not here 10, 15 years ago.

So it's really evolved into a really cool kind of a thing.

- [Rob] To help tie all the taps in the area together, community leaders created the Sandhills Pour Tour, that's P-O-U-R, and it's off to a G-O-O-D start.

- We started the Pour Tour program in April of 2022 and it was just an opportunity to get people around the county.

We have some really cool locations and in a variety of towns, Aberdeen, Southern Pines, Pinehurst, and then up in Cameron.

- [Rob] Proof of a Pour Tour completion comes in the form of a special passport with stamps from each location.

- They are very interesting as well.

They are actually styled around a normal US passport.

They have a thick cover, so they last a long time.

They make a really nice keepsake.

- Once you Get your Sandhills Pour Tour passport, you'll have a little bit of work to do.

To complete this, you need to visit seven different establishments.

- [Rob] You can get started in Southern Pines, home to Hatchet Brewing, Southern Pines Brewing, in the Southern Pines Growler Company.

And it shouldn't take long.

- [Phil] So you got three of the seven in a central location in Southern Pines.

Then you go just south into Aberdeen, you've got Railhouse, go over to Pinehurst, you've got Pinehurst Brewing Company, and then you could go up to Cameron, and that's James Creek Cider House.

- [Rob] Then swinging by Southern Pines Brewing's main location near the town of Southern Pines and you'll have a fully stamped passport, just like Karen Dickey.

- It was very nice because, a lot of places, we didn't know about until we did the Pour Tour.

We just, you know, kind of took it at our leisure and do a couple places at a time.

There's a lot of variety and that everybody's just so nice and welcoming.

Supporting local businesses, very important to us.

- It's been a really neat way to kind of package it up for folks and say, "Hey, here's what to do.

We've taken all the thought process out of it, and yeah, get a little prize at the end even."

- So, once you get seven stamps, you bring it by our office at the CVB and we have some cool prizes, mugs, and cups, and special Donald Ross 150th anniversary coin that you can get while supplies last.

You can do this passport program completely alcohol free.

If you purchase a pack of nabs, a hat, a T-shirt, they will give you a stamp.

Even though we have a growing craft beer scene, you don't have to drink beer to get the passports fully stamped to earn the prizes.

- [Rob] So far more than 600 people have completed their Pour Tour passports and nearly 60% of them came from outside of the Sandhills.

But locals, like Meredith Morgan, are also excited to take part.

- The two that we've gone to today are a little further from home.

So it got us to get out and get a little further away, which is, I think, the whole point of this, is to say, "Hey, look, these are all in the area, even if they're a little further from home."

I like competitions.

So for me, it's definitely, it's definitely about the competition, getting my stamps and being one of the first ones done.

- [Rob] Whether their stamps come quickly or over the long term, Pour Tour organizers hope participants come away not only with a completed passport but also the charm and flavor of the Sandhills community.

- This destination is gonna double in size over the course of the next 10 years.

So when people in North Carolina are choosing places to go and we hear from people saying, "Hey, what else is there to do besides play golf in the pioneers area?"

You know what?

We got a growing craft beer scene.

We got an amazing shopping destination.

- People, when they travel, it's beer and locally made products.

It's part of what you wanna experience and see when you're there.

I know it is for me.

The locals wanna support it and the tourist.

That's what they wanna try.

It's part of, like, the check the block experience when you go to a place.

- For more information about the Sandhills Pour tour, go to homeofgolf.com.

Well, that's it for tonight's show.

We've had a great time out here at the Company Mill Preserve in Guilford County kicking off the Year of the Trail.

And if you've missed anything in tonight's show, remember you can always watch us again online at pbsnc.org.

Have a great North Carolina weekend, everyone.

[upbeat music] ♪ [upbeat music continues] ♪ [upbeat music continues] ♪ [upbeat music continues] ♪ [upbeat music continues] ♪ [upbeat music continues] - [Announcer] Funding for "North Carolina Weekend" is provided in part by Visit NC, dedicated to highlighting our state's natural scenic beauty, unique history, and diverse cultural attractions.

From the Blue Ridge and the Great Smokey Mountains across the Piedmont to 300 miles of barrier island beaches, you're invited to experience all the adventure and charm our state has to offer.

- [Announcer 2] Funding for the North Carolina Year of the Trail Series is provided by- - [Announcer 3] SECU Foundation, proving how contributions from SECU members can generate the support needed to make a difference across North Carolina in the areas of housing, education, healthcare, and human services.

[light music]