Trail tracker: 5 outdoor developments coming to Western North Carolina

A drone’s eye view of the Fonta Flora State Trail near Old Fort. | Photo via @explorationlocal

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There’s just something about that fresh trail feeling. Lucky for us, there will be plenty to go around as we gear up for five new outdoor developments. To catch you up to speed, here’s a high-level recap of active projects that are underway in Western North Carolina.

The Old Fort Trails Project | 42 miles of trail

📍Pisgah National Forest, near Old Fort

⏱️ Completion of the first six miles is slated for summer 2022, and pending funding, the other 36 miles are projected to finish within the next 5-10 years.

🦺 Want to help out? Learn more here.

Pisgah View State Park | 1,600 acres

📍 The former site of Pisgah View Ranch, located in Buncombe and Haywood Counties. This historic plot of land will become North Carolina’s 40th state park and Buncombe County’s first.

⏱️ Thanks to a recent $12.2 million boost from the state government, the land acquisition will finally happen in 2022. Further development will be finalized over the next three years.

Woodfin Greenways

Rendering courtesy of Equinox

Woodfin Greenway and Blueway Project | 5 greenway miles, 4.5 acres

📍 This new park is slated for Riverside Dr. and its greenway system will connect directly with the French Broad River Greenway.

⏱️ Designs by September 2022 and a 2023 completion date.

🦺 The development needs an additional $3.1 million to reach completion. Show your support.

The Fonta Flora State Trail | 100 miles of greenway + trail

📍From Morganton to Asheville

⏱️ So far, ~16 miles around Lake James are open and 74 miles have completed master plans.

Ecusta Trail | 19 miles of greenway

📍 From Hendersonville to Brevard

⏱️ The land was officially purchased in August of 2021. The next step is fundraising for an estimated $31.1 million construction, an effort being led by Friends of the Ecusta Trail and Conserving Carolina.

🦺 Support the fundraiser.

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