And today? 

“Media impressions,” of which there were more than 900 million in 2018.

For the past 25 years, the American Hiking Society has decreed the first Saturday in June to be National Trails Day, a day of celebration for our beloved hiking, biking and equestrian trails. Events around the country celebrate by holding trail workdays, hikes and various celebratory events. It’s a great opportunity to get out and let your local trails know how much you appreciate them.

The AHS keeps a calendar of planned events on its website. So far, there are 10 scheduled in North Carolina, five in Virginia, all of which are listed below. But there’s still more than a month until the big day, and more events will be added (or feel free to add your own, by going here.)

Oh, and for those of you who aren’t sure about what 900 million media impressions means, here are some numbers from last year’s NTD observation:

• 108,947 participants
• 1,203 events
• 795 miles of trail built
• 3,195 miles of trail maintained

Find your local NTD events below.

North Carolina

All dates are Saturday, June 1, unless otherwise specified. The first three entries are event, location, sponsor.

Eno River State Park maintenance

Durham

Friends of the Mountains-to-Sea Tail 

Time: 9 a.m.

Activities: trail maintenance/stewardship project

More info here

Max Patch Rehabilitation on the Appalachian Trail

Hot Springs

Various

Time: 8:15 a.m.

Activities: trail maintenance/stewardship Project

More info here

Cruise The Neuse

Goldsboro 

Goldsboro Parks and Rec.

Time: 9 a.m.

Activities: guided paddle (boats available), kids activities, 

More info here.

National Trails Day Festival and 5K

Wake Forest

Town of Wake Forest

Time: 7 a.m.

Activities: 5K trail run, kids activities, Environmental Ed Expo

More info here.

National Trails Day at Durant 

Durant Nature Preserve, Raleigh

Durant Nature Preserve

Time: 9 a.m.

Activities: hike, kids activities, trail maintenance/stewardship project, trail run

Springers Point Preserve Beach Hike 

Ocracoke

N.C. Coastal Land Trust

Time: 9 a.m.

Activities: 2-mile hike

More info here

Everett Creek Preserve Hike

Sneeds Ferry

N.C. Coastal Land Trust

Time: 10 a.m.

Activities: 2-mile hike

More info here

Hike to Morrow Mountain

Morrow Mountain State Park, Albemarle

Morrow Mountain State Park

Time: 8 a.m.

Activities: 6-mile hike to the summit of Morrow Mountain

More info here

Gales Creek Preserve Hike

Gales Creek Preserve, Newport 

Time: 11 a.m.

Activities: 2-mile hike

More info here

Yadkin Valley Trails Day

Elkin

Overmountain Victory Trail Association 

Time: 9 a.m.

Activities: 20-mile bike ride, 10-mile hike, kids activities, workshops, a reenactment of some kind.

More info here.

Virginia

Joint Work Hike: National Trails Day on Great Eastern Trail

Millboro

Potomac Appalachian Trail Club, Charlottesville Chapter

Time: 8:30 a.m.

Activities: trail maintenance/stewardship project

More info here.

Grand Opening & Ribbon Cutting: PHNST Neabsco Creek Boardwalk and New Regional Park

Woodbridge

Prince William County Parks, Recreation & Tourism

Time: 10 a.m.

Activities: 2.5-mile hike, kids activities, paddle, trail dedication

More info here.

Bay View Trail Bird Blind Spruce Up

Lorton

Mason Neck State Park

Time: 9 a.m.

Activities:  3-mile bike ride, kids activities, trail maintenance/stewardship project

More info here

Walk the Trails: Club Blazer Weekend

Gladys

Thousand Trails Lynchburg RV Resort

Time: 10 a.m.

Activities: 1.5-mile bike ride, 1.5-mile hike, kids activities, trail maintenance/stewardship project

More info here

BRW on BTW

Sherando

Adventure Cycling Association

Time: 12 a.m.

Activity: 120-mile bike ride 

More info here

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