The Mountains-to-Sea Trail spans nearly 1,200 miles across North Carolina. The goal is to get more communities to build off-road sections, highlighting local culture and heritage.
The new 2.2-mile stretch is located on the Guilford County Farm near Gibsonville. It was an old prison farm, but the county has transformed it into a public space. Visitors can hike Breakaway Trail and Prison Run Path.
“When people use the MST, they often say they learned a lot about North Carolina. This is more than just a hiking trail. We wanted to showcase this historical farm, something that's important to the region,” says Matt Wallace with the Guilford County Facilities and Parks Department.
The state-designated Mountains-To-Sea Trail celebrated its 40th anniversary last year.
Organizers plan to add more distance to the section at the Guilford County Farm. Other phases are being planned and the goal is to have around eight miles on the property.
“The range of biodiversity is from prairies to the farmland, to the crops and creeks and woods, and so you get to see a variety of the bird species and different woodland animals. It's quite an impressive trail,” says John Gladstone with the Guilford County Facilities and Parks Department.
Gladstone says a group of volunteers called the Friends of the Mountain-To-Sea Trail have been a big part of the project and will help maintain the trail.
A ribbon cutting for the new Guilford County section will take place on Friday, April 27.
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