Description

The Fonta Flora State Trail is one of North Carolina’s 14 State Trails, long trails that seek to unite a region. In the case of the Fonta Flora, that region would be the Blue Ridge escarpment between Morganton and Asheville. On this trip we will hike more than half of the Fonta Flora’s 30.4 completed miles, in the Morganton, Lake James and Old Fort areas. Here’s the plan:

Weekend Plan

Friday

6 p.m. — From base camp at Lake James State Park’s Paddy’s Creek Access, we will take a shuttle to the nearby Fonta Flora Brewery for an evening of food and drink (on your own), followed by a 2.6-mile hike back to camp. 

Saturday

7:30 a.m. — Breakfast

8 a.m. — Lunch prep

9 a.m. to 4 p.m. — We will spend the day on the Fonta Flora State Trail, hiking from Fonta Flora County Park back toward Lake James. This hike will include a stretch on a Mountains-to-Sea Trail connector, and a segment where the Overmountain Victory State Trail piggybacks: three state trails in one hike! Much of this stretch includes the most well-designed trail you will ever hike. We hike through evergreens, beneath hardwoods, along the lake. A 10-mile day, hiked at your own pace.

6 p.m. — Dinner

Sunday

7:30 a.m. — Breakfast

8 a.m. — Lunch prep

8:30 a.m. — Depart for Old Fort

9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. — Hike the Point Lookout portion of the Fonta Flora State Trail in Old Fort. This is a great recovery hike, following the former path of U.S. 70 up a gentle grade to a mountain pass.

This trip includes

• 2 continental breakfasts (Saturday and Sunday mornings)
• 2 lunches (build-your-own lunch buffet)
• Trail snacks
• 3 hikes
• eguide for the three hikes and for the weekend (to be emailed upon registration)
• 2 nights camping

Not a camper? Not a problem. There are numerous lodging options in nearby Morganton and Marion. Check out options here.

Fee: $275

Cancelation policy: Full refund for cancellations made 14 days or more prior to the start of the event (6 p.m., Friday, July 12); Cancelations made 2 days to 13 days prior to the event receive a credit for a future GetHiking! event; there are no refunds for cancelations made less than 48 hours prior to the start of the event.