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Featured National Recreation Trails - Hosted by AmericanTrails.org

	Out for a walk on the American Tobacco Trail in Durham

American Tobacco Trail — This 14-mile rail trail will eventually span more than 22 miles from downtown Durham to New Hill in Wake County. The trail provides the fastest growing portion of Durham with a key community connection to area schools, parks, businesses, and places of worship.

Trail users enjoy a number of recreational activities including biking, roller blading, and horseback riding. This shared-use greenway is a fine example of what can be achieved through a diverse partnership (designated 2004).

House Creek Greenway: This 3.2-mile urban trail/bikeway is a vital link in the State's greenway system and features the Reedy Creek Pedestrian Bridge, the longest pedestrian bridge in North Carolina (designated 2006).

Dark Mountain Trail — With the help of the International Mountain Bicycling Association and dedicated volunteers, this 7-mile multi-use trail system officially opened last year. Since then, the trail system has become a popular destination for hikers, mountain bikers, and naturalists. The goal is to expand the trail to provide a connection to the Yadkin River Greenway and the Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail. Plans for the trail also include connecting with facilities at W. Kerr Scott Reservoir, Wilkes Community College, and the towns of Wilkesboro and North Wilkesboro. Once fully completed, this trail system will be a tremendous recreational resource in Western North Carolina (designated 2005).

Scuppernong River Interpretive Boardwalk — Located in Pocosin Lakes National Wildlife Refuge, this 3/4-mile loop trail meanders along the Scuppernong River through a cypress swamp and leads into downtown Columbia. The boardwalk introduces visitors to the beauty of the coastal sounds of eastern North Carolina. In addition to its scenic features, the trail provides for recreational activities such as fishing, kayaking, and wildlife observation (designated 2005).

Mountains-to-Sea Trail, Blue Ridge Parkway Segment — This backcountry trail extends nearly 193 miles and is the longest section of the Mountains-to-Sea Trail. The scenic foot trail ascends and descends with the contours of the Parkway, crossing expansive forests, wildflower gardens, major rivers, and historic sites. The entire trail stretches nearly 935 miles from Clingman's Dome in Great Smoky Mountains National Park to Jockey's Ridge State Park on the Outer Banks. When completed, this trail will connect 37 counties, including numerous cities, state parks, and U.S. Forest Service lands. Given the numerous partners and landowners involved, this trail system should be commended for what has been achieved through a diverse partnership. With almost half of the trail now open to the public, this amazing trail is connecting North Carolina in a truly unique way (designated 2005).

The Princeville Heritage Trail along the Tar River

Princeville Heritage Trail — located in Edgecombe County, North Carolina. This trail links all major historic and cultural sites in Princeville, the oldest incorporated African-American town in the Nation. The 3-mile fully accessible trail is located on the crest of the Princeville dike. The Princeville dike is the first phase of a continuous citywide trail system. It offers its users a variety of recreational experiences, including jogging, sightseeing, educational and interpretative programs. In addition, the dike provides scenic views of the Tar River and the Town of Princeville (designated 2001).

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