2023 NC Year of the Trail celebrates North Carolina's vast network of trails, greenways, and blueways which showcase our diverse landscapes - grand mountain vistas, quiet rivers, vibrant urban greenways, coastal forests, and the rolling hills of the piedmont. Rutherford County is proud to participate in this statewide effort -- and is kicking off 2023 by celebrating NC First Day Outdoors, an event encouraging everyone to get outside and try a trail!
Lake Lure & the Blue Ridge Foothills is inviting everyone to participate in their First Day Outdoors contest by getting outside on one of the amazing trails Rutherford County has to offer (like the Thermal Belt Rail Trail, Purple Martin Greenway, Buffalo Creek Park, or Broad River Paddle Trail). All you have to do is pick your trail, pick your activity, snap a picture, and tag @visitlakelureblueridgenc (IG) or @LakeLureBRF (FB) when you post it. Walking, biking, hiking, running, horseback riding, and even paddling are all acceptable trail activities.
You can also participate in Chimney Rock State Park's First Day Hike and kick off the new year at Chimney Rock State Park. A Park Ranger will offer an informative discussion about the Park's history while the group strolls, hikes, or bikes up to the 3.2-mile entrance road. Usually restricted to motor vehicle traffic only, there will be no cars in your way if you show up for this special, early morning hike.
Jan. 1st, 2023, 8-10am | Chimney Rock State Park Entrance | Old Rock Cafe 431 Main Street Chimney Rock, NC 28720
How to Enter the Contest:
Five winners will be chosen to receive a Rutherford County Tourism Development Authority canvas tote swag bag that includes:
2023 NC Year of the Trail celebrates North Carolina's vast network of trails, greenways, and blueways which showcase our diverse landscapes - grand mountain vistas, quiet rivers, vibrant urban greenways, coastal forests, and the rolling hills of the piedmont. Rutherford County is proud to participate in this statewide effort -- and is kicking off 2023 by celebrating NC First Day Outdoors, an event encouraging everyone to get outside and try a trail!
Lake Lure & the Blue Ridge Foothills is inviting everyone to participate in their First Day Outdoors contest by getting outside on one of the amazing trails Rutherford County has to offer (like the Thermal Belt Rail Trail, Purple Martin Greenway, Buffalo Creek Park, or Broad River Paddle Trail). All you have to do is pick your trail, pick your activity, snap a picture, and tag @visitlakelureblueridgenc (IG) or @LakeLureBRF (FB) when you post it. Walking, biking, hiking, running, horseback riding, and even paddling are all acceptable trail activities.
You can also participate in Chimney Rock State Park's First Day Hike and kick off the new year at Chimney Rock State Park. A Park Ranger will offer an informative discussion about the Park's history while the group strolls, hikes, or bikes up to the 3.2-mile entrance road. Usually restricted to motor vehicle traffic only, there will be no cars in your way if you show up for this special, early morning hike.
Jan. 1st, 2023, 8-10am | Chimney Rock State Park Entrance | Old Rock Cafe 431 Main Street Chimney Rock, NC 28720
How to Enter the Contest:
Five winners will be chosen to receive a Rutherford County Tourism Development Authority canvas tote swag bag that includes:
In 2022, the Town of Lake Lure and the Carolina Climbers Coalition began working to open a newly-discovered boulder field within Buffalo Creek Park. Once finished, this boulder field will be far more extensive than the existing Loop Trail Boulders, containing potential for 200+ problems (bouldering challenges) and 20-30 roped routes.
Access to the Upper Creek Boulders has been opened up via the Upper Boulders Trail, which is currently under construction. While this trail was primarily created to serve climbing access, it is also an interesting hiking trail in a previously inaccessible section of the Hickory Nut Gorge.
The Buffalo Creek Loop Trail Boulders and the new Buffalo Creek Upper Boulders Trailhead can be found off of Buffalo Creek Road, while Rumbling Bald Climbing Access Area can be found the Rumbling Bald Trailhead within Chimney Rock State Park.
The Upper Boulders Trail is located within Buffalo Creek Park in the Town of Lake Lure, and once finished, will be a 1.4 mile trail branching off of the existing Buffalo Creek Park Loop Trail. The moderately strenuous trail will gain approximately 500 feet of elevation and will pass boulders and small cliffs that are desirable for bouldering and roped climbing. The wildflowers, cascading creeks, abundant wildlife, remote forest, and summit views will be an attraction for hikers and climbers alike.
The Carolina Climbers Coalition is working on this trail weekly and is looking for volunteer and financial support for this project; for more information, please visit their website. This project is being funded by a grant from the RHI Foundation and the Rutherford County TDA, as part of Rutherford Bound's Year of the Trail initiative.
Additionally, the Upper Boulders Trail is now included in the Pisgah Map Company's Trail Guide to Hickory Nut Gorge, which can be purchased here.
