2023 Year of the Trail in the Heart of NC Event Round Up

Piedmont Legacy Trails Produces Randolph County Trail Guide

We invite you to join trail enthusiasts and lovers in each city and town throughout Randolph County as we celebrate their special outdoor amenities with ribbon cutting events and activities in honor of 2023's Year of the Trail in North Carolina. 

Before your trail adventures begin, check out this video from The Great Trails State Coalition Trails for the Future: How History is Shaping Trail Development in Randolph County.     

 Early Spring | March & April

Photo Credit: Piedmont Legacy Trails | Creekside Park in Archdale

Healthy Communities invites you to join their Sunday Hike Adventures on March 12 – Spring into Action – Hike from Mundo Vista at Camp Caraway to Slip Rock Mountain and April 16 – Celebrate Trails – Hike to the top of Mount Shepherd, the highest elevation in Randolph County. 

·         The City of Archdale will host a ribbon cutting event at the Creekside Greenway – Outer Loop.

·         The City of Randleman will hold a ribbon cutting at the Worthville Blueway.

·         The Town of Seagrove will host a trek through town along their Downtown sidewalks.  

Late Spring | May & June  May/June

Photo Credit: Piedmont Legacy Trails | Caraway Mountain Top in Asheboro

Healthy Communities hosts their Sunday Hike Adventures on May 21 – Explore NC – Hike to Russell Gold Mine in the Uwharrie National Forest and June 3 – National Trail Day – Celebrate at the North Carolina Zoo’s event.

Join the team from Piedmont Land Conservancy as they hold a ribbon cutting at Caraway Creek Preserve.

·        The City of Asheboro will host trail lovers to explore the newly opened Zoo City Sportsplex facility.

·       The North Carolina Zoo celebrates National Trail Day on June 3^rd with a ribbon cutting of the Purgatory Mountain Spring Trail.

 

Summer | July & August

Photo Credit: Piedmont Legacy Trails | Randleman Section of Deep River State Trail

Healthy Communities continues Sunday Hike Adventures on July 16 – Celebrate NC Parks – Hike the newly opened trails at Piedmont Land Conservancy’s Caraway Creek Preserve with a view of Mount Shepherd and Caraway Mountain and August 13 – Wellness and Trails – Hike to Cooper Mountain Cemetery from Robbins Branch Trailhead in the Birkhead Wilderness of the Uwharrie National Forest. 

·         The Town of Ramseur will host a ribbon cutting for a trail extension and trailhead.

·         The Town of Liberty will showcase improvements at Freedom Park to celebrate their trails.

·         The City of Randleman will hold a ribbon cutting event at Phase III of their Greenway. 

Fall | September & October

Photo Credit: Piedmont Legacy Trails | Uwharrie National Forest - Birkhead Wilderness Area

Healthy Communities invites you to join their Fall Sunday Hike Adventures on September 10 – Achieve a Trail Goal – Hike to Cooler’s Knob, the highest point in the Birkhead Wilderness and Colonel Balfour Grave Site from Tot Hill Farm Trailhead and the entire month of October is filled with Mayor’s Fitness Challenge events from all municipalities across Randolph County – Wellness Walks on Saturdays and Hikes on Sundays. 

·      The Town of Franklinville will host a ribbon cutting at Sandy Creek Bridge. 

·       Enjoy a Uwharrie Trail Thru Hike with beginner and advanced hikers – learn about our natural beauty and history of the Uwharrie National Forest.                        

Late Fall & Early Winter | November & December

Photo Credit: Piedmont Legacy Trails | Franklinville Section of Deep River State Trail

Mayor’s Fitness Challenge events continue in November with walks on November 4 & 11 and a hike on November 5, there are no planned hikes in the month of December – find your outdoor adventure. 

·     The Town of Franklinville will host a ribbon cutting event from the center of Franklinville to Sapona.

*NOTE: All Healthy Communities Hikes begin at 2 pm at the site. Some dates and sites may be subject to change pending any weather or scheduling issues. Please check with Mary Joan Pugh, Randolph County Trails Coordinator – maryjoan.pugh@randolphcountync.gov    

When can we expect you? Visit HeartofNorthCarolina.com for places to stay and special military discount offers! Order a FREE travel guide and check out the listing of annual events on our bit.ly/HNCVBCalendar . We look forward to following along on your visit. Tag us at #theHeartofNC.    

                         

 

 

Spring Bucket List in the Heart of NC

Spring Bucket List 

Build your Spring Bucket List with what is blooming in Randolph County. The temperatures are just right with days being in the high 60Fs and evenings in the low 40Fs. See the beauty of the nine municipalities. Plan with our must-do list for your spring visit in the Heart of North Carolina. 

Start Collecting 

Did you know that Randolph County is home to many antique shops and the bi-annual Liberty Antiques Festival. The festival is being held the last Friday and Saturday in April (this year April 29-30). Find classic treasures and one-of-a-kind items. The thrill of the find is here. The antique vendors offer a wide variety of items from classic memorabilia to repurposed and refinished goods at affordable prices. 

Photo by Tima Miroshnichenko from Pexels

Smell the Flowers 

From Ramseur to Seagrove, the farms are blossoming. At Millstone Creek Orchards in Ramseur, select Saturdays offering open air Spring Markets. At Seagrove Orchids see more than 200 different species, perfect for new or experienced orchid lovers. Seagrove Orchids has quickly established itself as "the orchid nursery" in North Carolina and it's worth the tour. The North Carolina Zoo offers over 51,000 plants along five miles of shaded pathways. It is definitely worth the stop between seeing over 1,000 animals at the world's largest natural habitat zoo.  

Photo by NC Zoo

Zip Through New Colors 

Go over the trees and Zipline in Randolph County at Kersey Valley Zipline in Archdale and Richland Creek Zip Line in Asheboro. Ziplining is fun for all thrill seekers. This experience is a fun challenge independently and with a group.  A spring season adventure offers a chance to catch trees as they grow new foliage. 

Photo by Canva

Birds & Bees aren’t the Only Ones Flying 

Immerse yourself with speed! See historic high flying aircraft at the North Carolina Aviation Museum and Hall of Fame in Asheboro. Planes and memorabilia dating back to WWI to present.  Don't miss the history of the King of NASCAR and his family, at Petty Family Attractions in Randleman. 

Photo by Petty Family Attractions

Trail On 

Randolph County is home to 19 trails, including the Deep River State Trail. In the spring months the trails are ready for you to explore by walking, running or hiking. Start planning your next hike here.

Photo by Piedmont Legacy Trails

 

Be sure to check out other seasonal bucket lists from the Heart of NC for your ultimate bucket list!
Share your next trip to Randolph County with #TheHeartofNC