The Mountains-to-Sea Trail celebrates 50 years in 2027!
On September 9, 1977, Howard Lee, then the North Carolina Secretary of Natural Resources and Community Development, made an audacious speech which has fired the imaginations and energy of trail enthusiasts ever since. In that speech, Lee recommended that North Carolina build a “state trail from the mountains to the coast, a trail leading through communities as well as natural areas.”
Now fifty years later, that trail has become a reality. Today, the MST is a simple footpath stretching almost 1,200 miles across North Carolina from Kuwohi in the Great Smoky Mountains to Jockey’s Ridge on the Outer Banks.
Nearly 725 miles of trail have been built and people follow the MST across North Carolina, using back road connections where trail has not yet been built. Every year new trail opens, and more and more people enjoy the trail for day hikes with their families, overnight backpack trips with friends, and even cross-state treks which become adventures of a lifetime.
Join the celebration
Donate to support the next 50 years of trail development
Friends of the MST is the only nonprofit dedicated solely to building and maintaining the Mountains-to-Sea Trail. Your donation in honor of the 50th anniversary will help lay a strong foundation for the next 50 years as we redefine the trail and continue to improve the MST for future generations to enjoy.
Join the MST 5,000 Challenge!
For four days in September Friends of the MST is inviting you to take part in the MST 5,000 Challenge. From September 9-12, 2027, we’re challenging the MST community to hike 5,000 collective miles across the MST. You can hike anywhere on the MST you want and as many miles as you want – the choice is yours – but collectively our goal is to inspire, encourage and uplift people all across the state to come out, walk part of the MST and help us meet this challenge as a community.
More details and registration information will be coming soon, but for now hold the date.
Want to help celebrate the MST in your community?
Friends of the MST has created a toolkit to help MST communities across North Carolina plan their own celebration in honor of the trail’s 50th anniversary. From group hikes to speaker events to film screenings to whatever creative event you come up with, find ideas and different ways to be a part of this once-in-a-generation celebration.
Let us know about your event!
We want to track, record, promote and be a part of as many of the wonderful community celebrations that happen across the state in 2027! Fill out the simple form below to let us know when and where your event is planned, along with any other relevant details, and we’ll promote on our website and social media and hopefully have someone from Friends of the MST able to join.
Have Questions?
Email us at info@mountainstoseatrail.org.
