Join the Friends of the Mountains-to-Sea Trail and hundreds of fellow hikers and walkers on Saturday, September 9 to hike the entire 1,175 miles of the MST in one day.

North Fork Reservoir | Photo © Jack Ollis

North Fork Reservoir | Photo © Jack Ollis

We invite you to hike a 3 to 5 mile leg (or more if you are up for a challenge), as we welcome both those new to the trail and seasoned hikers who can’t stay off the trail.

The MST in a Day event falls on the 40th anniversary of the proposal of the trail in 1977 by Howard Lee, then NC Secretary of Natural Resources and Community Development. He told a National Trails Symposium in Waynesville that North Carolina should create a “state trail from the mountains to the coast, leading through communities as well as natural areas.”

This is an historic and unique way to celebrate the history and beauty of North Carolina’s premier trail, which now stretches through 36 counties from the Great Smoky Mountains to the Outer Banks. Almost 700 miles are built and people use connecting back roads to hike across the entire state. There is also a paddling option along the Neuse River in eastern North Carolina.

Learn more about MST in a Day from the video below and at www.mstinaday.org.