Fonta Flora State Trail facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Fonta Flora Trail |
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|---|---|
| Length | 19 miles (31 km) |
| Location | North Carolina, United States |
| Established | 2015 |
| Designation | State Trail (North Carolina) |
| Trailheads | Asheville, Morganton |
| Use | Hiking & Bicycling |
| Season | Year-round |
| Sights | Lake James |
| Surface | Asphalt, Natural |
| Maintained by | North Carolina Division of Parks and Recreation |
| Website | https://trails.nc.gov/state-trails/fonta-flora-state-trail |
The Fonta Flora State Trail is a special place for outdoor fun in North Carolina, United States. It's part of the state park system and stretches across Buncombe, McDowell, and Burke Counties. This trail offers about 19 miles (31 km) of paths for people to enjoy.
It's designed for both hikers and cyclists. The big plan is for the trail to connect Asheville to Morganton. It will also create a loop around Lake James. The trail is a team effort. Many groups work together to build it. These include local governments, land protection groups, the US Forest Service, and the state. The North Carolina Division of Parks and Recreation (NCDPR) helps organize everything.
Contents
How the Fonta Flora Trail Started
Early Ideas for the Trail
In 2004, a company called Duke Energy's Crescent Resources made a deal. They agreed to sell undeveloped land near Lake James to the NCDPR. This land would help expand Lake James State Park. They also offered special permission for trails. These trails would be for the Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail.
Two years later, Duke Energy began a process for their dams. They needed new permits for their hydroelectric dams on Lake James. During this process, people shared their ideas. Many suggested building a loop trail around Lake James. This trail would connect all the communities and parks around the lake.
Naming the Trail
The idea for the loop trail was first called the Lake James Loop Trail. But later, it got a new name. It was named after the old community of Fonta Flora. This town was covered by water when Lake James was created.
Making the Trail Official
On June 15, 2015, the General Assembly of North Carolina made the Fonta Flora State Trail official. They asked the NCDPR to lead its development. As they planned the trail, the idea grew even bigger. They decided to connect Lake James to both Asheville and Morganton.
New Land for the Trail
On April 17, 2018, a group called the Foothills Conservancy helped the trail. They gave 90 acres (36 ha) of undeveloped land to the NCDPR. This land is near Old Fort. The conservancy also got permission from other landowners. This will allow the trail to be built across their properties in the future. The new land follows a ridge near Camp Grier. The Foothills Conservancy will help manage this land for the NCDPR.
Sections of the Fonta Flora Trail
The NCDPR has named several existing trails as part of the Fonta Flora Trail. These sections help make up the longer trail. They are listed from west to east:
- Oaks Trail in Black Mountain
- Point Lookout Trail in Pisgah National Forest
- Fonta Flora State Trail at Greenlee Park in McDowell County
- Joseph McDowell Historical Catawba Greenway in Marion
- Fonta Flora County Park in Burke County
- Catawba River Greenway in Morganton
