Coast

Two races Saturday in two beach towns where you’ll want to linger afterward.

5K Race for the Planet at Fort Fisher. “This flat, mostly asphalt course is scenic with views of the ocean, maritime forest, and historic Fort Fisher Civil War site,” according to race organizers. Run the race at 8 a.m. (registration begins at 7) then hang out and tour the aquarium and hike out to the Fort Fisher Hermit’s old digs. $25 to race. Music and refreshments follow. 910.458.7468 for more information, or go here.

Oak Island Lighthouse 10K Run/Walk on Oak Island. Oak Island is our favorite summer beach week escape, in large part because the development so prevalent elsewhere along the coast is relatively tame here. The route explores Oak Island’s “tree lined streets,” checks out the beach, goes over the Oak Island Bridge and winds up at the NC Baptist Assembly in Fort Caswell. $25. More info by calling 910.457.6964 or 800.457.6964, or going here.

Piedmont

Nothing like a good outdoor adventure that helps a good cause. Such is the case with Saturday’s 2011 Walk/Run/Bike for Umstead (Umstead State Park in Raleigh, that is). For you walkers and hikers, there’s a four-mile hike in the park; if you’re a runner, you can run the route instead. That action gets underway at 9:45 a.m. Mountain bike riders can take either a 4-mile or 12.4-mile tour of Umstead led by the Triangle Off-Road Cyclists. Those rides leave at 9:30. In a unique twist: there’s live music along the trail.

Registration begins at 8 a.m. And afterward, stick around for more live music, vendors, door prizes, kids activities and more. $35, $15 for kids 12 and under. Parking can be an issue; Go here for more on that and for more info in general.

Mountains

It’s hiker’s heaven this weekend in the Smokies, thanks to the Carolina Mountain Club’s Cades Cove Weekend. Using the Cades Cove Campground as base camp, the CMC is sponsoring three hikes: Scott Mountain, Anthony Creek-Russell Fields Loop, Chestnut Top-Schoolhouse Loop.

The more ambitious among you will be glad to hear that the club has reserved several tent sites in the Cades Cove Campground; come Friday afternoon, set up camp and enjoy two days of hiking. You’ll need to check with the club , which serves as base camp for the hikes. Find more information from the CCC here.

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Those are GGNC’s thoughts for an active weekend. Find out other ways you can get out this weekend by browsing our super calendar, a collection of events calendars from throughout the state, below.

Coast

CapeFearCoast.com
Comprehensive calendar for the Cape Fear/Wilmington/southern N.C. coast searchable by date and event name.

Coastal Guide
Comprehensive calendar including nature programs from a variety of costal conservation and research agencies that offer nature programs. Covers the entire coast.

Crystal Cost Tourism Authority
Comprehensive calendar focusing on the Crystal Coast. Good source for programs offered by N.C. Coastal Federation, Cape Lookout National Park, N.C. National Estuarine Research Reserve and other costal conservation and research agencies that offer nature programs.

NCCoast.com
Comprehensive calendar including programs for the Outer Banks and Crystal Coast.

North Carolina Coast Host
Comprehensive calendar for the entire coast that lets you search for events by day, by region, by county, by city or by event (based on key word).

This Week Magazine
Primary focus is the Crystal Coast (North Carolina’s coastal midsection).

Mountains

Asheville Citizen-Times
From the main page, click on “Outdoors,” then WNC Outdoors calendar.

Blue Ridge Outdoors
Searchable calendar lets you extend your reach to events throughout the mid-Atlantic and Southeast (or you can just limit it to North Carolina). Also lets you search a boatload of categories, ranging from Hiking, Mountain Biking and Climbing to Trail Running, Triathlon and Road Walking.

The Mountain Times
From the main page, click on “Calendars,” then Main Events.

Todd’s Calendar

Piedmont

Charlotte

Charlotte Observer events calendar
Comprehensive calendar searchable by category, including Nature, Recreation, Recreation & Wellness, Running

Charlotte Parent
Comprehensive calendar concentrating on things the family can do together.

Triad

GoTriad.com
Comprehensive calendar includes a Sports & Recreation category.

Piedmont Parent
Comprehensive calendar concentrating on things the family can do together.

Triangle

Triangle.com
Comprehensive calendar searchable by category, including: Birding, Boating, Cycling, Nature, Rec & Wellness, Recreation, Running, Swimming, Tennis, Yoga.

Carolina Parent
Comprehensive calendar concentrating on things the family can do together.

Statewide

Office of Environmental Education
One calendar for the numerous Environmental Education Centers statewide.

North Carolina State Parks
Lets you search for programs at the state’s parks, recreation areas and natural areas by location, by month, by topic. To reach the calendar from the home page, click on “Education,” then “Fun & Free Programs at Parks.”

National Forests in North Carolina
From the home page, click on Carolina Connections for news updates on the state’s four national forests as well as hints on recreational opportunities and a detailed rundown of recreation areas and the amenities at each.

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