Facilities for bikes/peds - mcdowell county

The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) received a $114,888 Formula Grant award on September 26, 2023 from the Federal Highway Administration (CFDA 20.219 Recreational Trails Program) to construct a 3-mile, 3-foot wide single track trail called the Heartbreak Ridge Extension (HREX) in the Grandfather District of Pisgah National Forest. The project will connect the popular Heartbreak Ridge Trail to other trails in the Old Fort Trail Complex, allowing users to experience one of the longest continuous descents on the East Coast. The trail will be open to both hikers and bikers, improving trail system connectivity and protecting the Catawba River watershed through sustainable trail design. This project is part of the larger Old Fort Trail initiative that seeks to create a welcoming gateway to public lands for the local community.

Project description

Camp grier - the heartbreak ridge extension (HREX)(trail A2 on maps) project seeks to provide a critical missing connection in the old fort trail complex on the grandfather district of pisgah national forest. The HREX is part of the comprehensive old fort trail project that seeks to serve the community by creating a welcoming gateway to important public lands. The historic heartbreak ridge trail, a popular backcountry single track trail sought for its uniqueness in the system, descends about 2000' over 4 miles down the eastern escarpment. However, the trail is disconnected from nearby trails, terminating at star GAP and forcing users to then use public roads and/or forest service roads to complete a loop. The heartbreak ridge extension project will add a 3-mile, 3-foot wide single track trail. The trail will be natural surface and open to both hikers and bikers. When complete, the trail will allow users to experience one of the longest and highest continuous descents on the east coast. Additionally, when complete, users will be able to connect to the fonta flora state trail and then to downtown old fort. Alternatively, the completed trail will connect to the camp grier roston trail and then to the newly constructed gateway trailhead. This project will have three outcomes: 1) connect front country access to backcountry experiences, 2) improve trail system connectivity, and 3) protect the watershed of the upper catawba river through sustainable trail design and build.