Friends of the Fonta Flora State Trail

06/09/2026

What a day on the trail! More than 50 people took part in the inaugural Fonta Flora Tails & Trails Quest during Old Fort's Trails & Trains event, and one of the best parts was hearing so many participants say they were learning about the Fonta Flora State Trail for the very first time.

Families, hikers, kids, dog lovers, and trail enthusiasts explored the route, answered questions, discovered local wildlife and history, and connected with the vision of a trail that links communities, nature, and recreation across Western North Carolina.

A huge thank you to everyone who participated, volunteered, and helped make the event such a success! 🧡

Now we're curious...

🤔 Would you like to see a Tails & Trails Quest at Lake James?

Let us know in the comments! What kinds of stations, challenges, or trail discoveries would you want to see along the lake?

06/08/2026

🥾 A Great Morning on the Trail!

More than 20 hikers joined Friends of the Fonta Flora State Trail this past weekend for a guided hike on the beautiful Copper Ridge and Lower Heartbreak Ridge trails in Old Fort as part of the Trains & Trails Festival.

From scenic ridgelines to great conversations along the way, it was a wonderful opportunity to explore some of the area's outstanding trail experiences while connecting with fellow outdoor enthusiasts. Thank you to everyone who came out, shared the adventure, and helped celebrate the growing trail network in Old Fort.

We love seeing people discover the trails that make Western North Carolina such a special place. See you on the next hike!

06/05/2026

THE QUEST IS TOMORROW!
“Tomorrow’s the day! 🎉 Grab your friends, kids, dogs, hiking shoes, and sense of adventure. The Fonta Flora Tails & Trails Quest kicks off at 10 AM at Meadow Loop in Old Fort. See you on the trail!”

Explore upcoming trail events and activities at Friends of the Fonta Flora State Trail. Join us to support trail development and community connection in Western North Carolina.

06/04/2026

DAY 2️⃣ — Community
“This trail is about connection — connecting communities, nature, and people who love the outdoors. The Quest is a fun way to experience what the Fonta Flora State Trail is all about.”

06/03/2026

If you enjoy hiking, biking, walking, running, or simply having access to great outdoor spaces, NOW is the time to make your voice heard.

The Fonta Flora State Trail—and many other trails across North Carolina—depend on state funding to move from vision to reality. The Great Trails State Program helps communities build trails, leverage local and federal dollars, support tourism, and create safe, healthy places for people to enjoy the outdoors.

Outdoor recreation contributes **$17.8 billion annually** to North Carolina's economy, and trails are a major part of that impact.

As the state budget moves forward, we're asking trail supporters to contact their NC House and Senate legislators and encourage them to support continued funding for the Great Trails State Program.

Here in our region, state trail funding has helped advance critical planning and construction projects that connect communities, improve access to the outdoors, and strengthen local economies.

📢 A quick email or phone call can make a difference.

Find your NC legislators here:
https://www.ncleg.gov/FindYourLegislators

Please take a few minutes this week to speak up for trails, outdoor recreation, and the communities that benefit from them.

06/02/2026

DAY 5️⃣ — DOGS WELCOME 🐕

Reason #5 to join the Quest (https://www.fontaflorastatetrail.com/calendar-1):
🐾 Dogs are absolutely invited.

Bring your trail buddy along for the fun! The Quest is family-friendly AND dog-friendly — because every great trail adventure deserves a wagging tail.

Bonus points if your pup knows more trail trivia than you do.

🗓 June 6 | 10 AM
📍 Meadow Loop – Old Fort

05/31/2026

DAY 6 — SIX DAYS TO GO

The countdown is ON! 🎉

In just 6 days, the Fonta Flora Tails & Trails Quest takes over Old Fort during Trails & Trains Festival! Expect trail trivia, nature challenges, scavenger hunt fun, dogs, family-friendly adventure, and plenty of surprises along the Meadow Loop.

🗓 June 6
⏰ 10 AM
📍 Meadow Loop – Old Fort

Who’s coming?

05/30/2026

Happy to see the Beacon Bike Park progressing!

We’ve been making a ton of progress over the last few weeks at the park!

Mass grading = ✅
Hydroseeding = ✅
Infrastructure layout = ✅
Boulders shipped = ✅
Containers built = ✅
Greenways laid out = ✅

There’s a lot more that will be happening in the coming weeks and we’ll be sharing updates along the way. We can’t wait to welcome everyone later this year!!

05/29/2026

Join us Friday, June 5 at 9:00 AM for a guided hike featuring scenic stretches of Copper Ridge and a portion of Lower Heart Ridge. This approximately 5-mile trek offers beautiful forest views, rolling terrain, and a chance to experience one of the most exciting sections of the growing Fonta Flora State Trail.

Whether you're a seasoned hiker or simply looking for a fun way to start the day, this is a great opportunity to explore the trail, meet fellow outdoor enthusiasts, and learn more about the vision for connecting communities across Western North Carolina.

After the hike, stick around and enjoy all the festivities at Old Fort's Trails & Trains event!

📍 Old Fort, NC🥾 Approximately 5 miles🕘 Friday, June 5 at 9:00 AM

05/27/2026

In the months since Hurricane Helene, many Western North Carolina residents have been left asking the same question: How vulnerable is my property to future storms? Flooding, landslides, erosion, and changing weather patterns have highlighted the importance of understanding potential risks before the next disaster strikes.

Community members now have an opportunity to take a proactive step by receiving a property risk assessment during the upcoming “Swannanoa! Know Your Risks” event on Saturday, May 30, from 1–4 p.m. at Warren Wilson College. The first 30 registrants will receive a printed property risk assessment designed to help homeowners better understand hazards that could impact their homes, land, and families.

Following the devastating impacts of Helene, preparedness is more important than ever. Knowing your property’s risks can help guide future decisions around emergency planning, mitigation efforts, and long-term resilience.

The event will also include expert sessions focused on flood risks, wildfire concerns, and landslides, along with opportunities to connect one-on-one with professionals and local organizations working to strengthen community resilience.

Whether your property experienced damage during Helene or you simply want to be better prepared for the future, understanding your risks today can help protect what matters most tomorrow.