The City of Raleigh joins communities across North Carolina in celebrating the 2023 Year of the Trail, a statewide campaign inviting every North Carolinian to get outside onto the trails, greenways, and blueways that stretch across the state.
Upcoming Year of the Trail Events
| Event Name | Location | Date | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forest Ridge Park |
Sept. 23 |
9-11 a.m. |
|
| Forest Ridge Park | Sept. 23 |
9-11 a.m. |
|
| Annie Louise Wilkerson, MD Nature Preserve Park | Sept. 30 | 6:30 – 8 p.m. | |
| Walnut Creek Wetland Park | Oct. 13 | 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. | |
| Forest Ridge Park | Oct. 18 |
6:30 - 8 p.m. |
|
| Annie Louise Wilkerson, MD Nature Preserve Park | Oct. 21 | 10:30 a.m. – noon | |
| Annie Louise Wilkerson, MD Nature Preserve Park |
Oct. 28 |
6:30 – 8 p.m. | |
| Forest Ridge Park | Nov. 4 |
9 -11 a.m. |
|
| Annie Louise Wilkerson, MD Nature Preserve Park | Nov. 9 | 10:30 a.m. – noon | |
| Annie Louise Wilkerson, MD Nature Preserve Park | Nov. 11 | 4:30 – 6 p.m. | |
| Annie Louise Wilkerson, MD Nature Preserve Park | Nov. 17 | 10:30 a.m. – noon |
Past Events Year of the Trail
| Event Name | Location | Date | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wilkerson First Day Outdoors Hike | Annie Louise Wilkerson, MD Nature Preserve Park | Jan. 1 | 2 - 4 p.m. |
| Seasonal Nature Hike | Annie Louise Wilkerson, MD Nature Preserve Park | Jan. 28 | 10:30 a.m. - noon |
| Wilkerson Full Moon Hike | Annie Louise Wilkerson, MD Nature Preserve Park | Feb. 5 | 5:30 - 7 p.m. |
| Wilkerson Twilight Walk | Annie Louise Wilkerson, MD Nature Preserve Park | Feb. 25 | 5:30 - 7 p.m. |
| Litter Clean Up Little Rock Creek Trail | Little Rock Creek Trail | March 18 | 9 a.m. - nooin |
| Vernal Equinox Hike & Campfire at Durant | Durant Nature Preserve | March 20 | 3 -4:30 p.m. |
| Wilkerson Twilight Walk | Annie Louise Wilkerson, MD Nature Preserve Park | March 25 | 6 - 7:30 p.m. |
| Seasonal Nature Hike | Annie Louise Wilkerson, MD Nature Preserve Park | April 1 | 10:30 a.m. - noon |
| Guided Mountain Bike Ride – Women’s Mountain Biking Day | Forest Ridge Park | May 6 | 2 p.m. |
| Mountain Bike Basics | Forest Ridge Park | May 20 | 9 -11 a.m. |
| Twilight Walk | Annie Louise Wilkerson, MD Nature Preserve Park | May 20 | 8 – 9:30 p.m. |
| Full Moon Walk | Annie Louise Wilkerson, MD Nature Preserve Park | June 3 | 8. – 9:30 p.m. |
| Twilight Walk | Annie Louise Wilkerson, MD Nature Preserve Park | June 17 | 8 – 9:30 p.m. |
| Twilight Walk | Annie Louise Wilkerson, MD Nature Preserve Park | July 8 | 8 – 9:30 p.m. |
| Seasonal Nature Walk | Annie Louise Wilkerson, MD Nature Preserve Park | July 15 | 10:30 a.m. – noon |
|
Mountain Bike Basics |
Forest Ridge Park | Aug.19 |
9-11 a.m. |
|
Twilight Walk |
Annie Louise Wilkerson, MD Nature Preserve Park | Aug. 26 | 7:30 – 9 p.m. |
|
Backpacking for New Backpackers |
Forest Ridge Park |
Wednesdays, Sept. 6-27 |
6 - 7:30 p.m. |
|
Twilight Walk |
Annie Louise Wilkerson, MD Nature Preserve Park | Sept. 9 | 7– 8:30 p.m. |
|
Year of the Trail Greenway Cleanup |
Neuse River Trail at Thornton Rd. Greenway Trail Access and Parking | Sept. 11 | 9 a.m. – noon |
On August 10th, 2021, the NC legislature passed HB 554, designating 2023 as the “North Carolina Year of the Trail.” This historic designation underscores the tremendous energy behind showcasing, promoting, and celebrating North Carolina’s trails, both in terms of their incredible positive impact on the quality of life for NC residents, as well as significant economic impact on individual communities who benefit from ‘trail tourism’.
The Great Trails State Coalition (GTSC) is leading the Year of the Trail efforts in North Carolina. Made up of over 50 organizations working to build more opportunities to hike, bike, walk, run, roll, paddle, and horseback ride, the GTSC proudly proclaims that North Carolina IS the Great Trails State. The Great Trails State Coalition has partnered with communities across the state to highlight trails and encourage residents to get outside and enjoy local trails, as well as new trail experiences across NC.
For more information on the Year of the Trail and to receive updates about statewide events and advocacy efforts, please visit greattrailsnc.com. To hear stories from the trail, learn about new trails to try, and share your trail experiences, follow GTSC at @greattrailsnc on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.