An Anchor for Trails Near Lake Lure
Our vision for the Hickory Nut Gorge State Trail includes a loop that completely encircles Lake Lure, connecting Chimney Rock State Park, Weed Patch Mountain, and Youngs Mountain. The trail will also link to the Upper Hickory Nut Gorge around Bearwallow Mountain—over 100 miles in all! This spring, we were able to take an important step toward this goal by purchasing 49 acres for future trails near Lake Lure. This property on Buffalo Shoals Road will be an anchor for future trails on the east side of the lake.
While we need to secure more land before we can start building trails, we were excited to acquire this property, which is right on the proposed route and ideal for a sustainable contour trail. The land is near neighborhoods on the lakeshore and would likely be developed if we hadn’t seized this opportunity. Key funding came from NC Complete the Trails program and from your support!
Trails and Greenways Manager Kristin Cozza says, “Acquiring property is one of the biggest hurdles to constructing a new trail. The Complete the Trails Program gives state trail sponsors like Conserving Carolina a boost over this hurdle so we can get trails on the ground and provide public access to some of the state’s most magnificent landscapes.”
By conserving this land, we are also saving rich wildlife habitat. A survey found 239 species, as well as potential habitat for 27 rare species. During a visit this spring, we saw a black bear roaming the forest, heard migratory songbirds in the tree canopy, and enjoyed the mountain laurels in full bloom. It will be a beautiful place for new trails!
