The MST turns 48 this September
Each year, we celebrate how far the trail has come since September 1977, when Howard Lee (pictured far right), then the Secretary of the NC Department of Natural Resources and Community Development, proposed “establishing a state trail between the mountains and the seashore in North Carolina.”
This year, there are several great ways to get involved. All the details are below:
- Birthday Challenge – Participate by hiking or paddling 48 miles or biking 148 miles on the MST or volunteering 15 hours or removing 48 pounds of litter on the MST between Sept. 1st through Sept. 30th.
- Participate in an MST group event – Join a group hike or workday listed below.
- Give or Fundraise to Support the MST – give a special $48 birthday gift to the trail.
As part of our continuing commitment to making the MST a welcoming, diverse and inclusive place, we encourage you to invite friends, colleagues, family, and neighbors who have not been on an MST adventure to join in.
Birthday Challenge
48 Mile Challenge
Hike or Paddle 48 miles or Bike 148 miles or Volunteer 15 hours
or remove 48 pounds of litter on the MST between September 1st – 30th, 2025
Hike or paddle 48 miles or bike 148 miles or volunteer 15 hours on the MST during the month of September for a chance to win great prizes! You can repeat your favorite sections over and over or explore new mileage on the MST.
- This year we celebrate hikers, paddlers, bikers AND volunteers along the MST!
- All walkers or paddlers who complete 48 miles or bikers who complete 148 miles or volunteers who work 15 hours on the MST or volunteers who remove 48 pounds of litter on the MST between September 1st through September 30th, 2025, are eligible to win a prize.
- Please track mileage, dates of hikes or hours of service and submit via this form by October 7th to be eligible for prize drawing.
- For logistics, we recommend using our trail guides (which are available for free to all current members of Friends of the MST) or Great Day Hikes on North Carolina’s Mountains-to-Sea Trail. If you would like to log volunteer hours, register for CERVIS and log your hours here
Group Hikes, Workdays, and MST Events in September 2025 (THIS SECTION is being updated and will not be available for registration until August 5th)
Please check back frequently as more events across the state will be added. If you’d like to host an event, email Sherri Seagroves at sseagroves@mountainstoseatrail.org.
SATURDAY, 6th
- Discovering NC’s Mountains-to-Sea Trail with author, Jerry Barker – Join us at Blue Jay Point County Park in Raleigh, to learn about the history of the MST, where Jerry Barker will share readings from his book Discovering NC’s Mountains-to-Sea Trail, followed with options for a short hike and a longer hike. For more details and to register, click HERE.
FRIDAY, 12th
- Naturalist Hike in Elkin – Join us for a guided naturalist hike to explore Autumn wildflower, butterflies, and birds in Surry County. Led by local naturalist and native plant geek Bill Griffin. For more details and to register, click HERE.
WEDNESDAY, 24th
- Join the Trashy Ladies for Litter Pick Up! We will meet from 9:00 to noon to remove trash along the MST in Raleigh. For more details and to register, click HERE
THURSDAY, 25th
- Art Show and Wine Reception in Raleigh -Join us at Sertoma Arts Center for a night of MST art! Artist, Jeff Rezeli’s ink renderings of the MST will be featured and for sale. For more details and to register, click HERE.
FOR THE MONTH OF SEPTEMBER:
If you don’t see your area represented, consider creating an informal group with your hiking pals, work pals, neighbors or family to get more folks out on the MST.
Donate to support the MST
It’s not a true celebration until you’ve given the trail a birthday gift!
Our work to build, maintain, protect and promote the MST is supported by people like you. Consider giving a special $48 gift to the trail in honor of the MST’s 48th birthday to support our work. While a gift of any amount is always appreciated, the first five people who donate $100 or more from September 1 – September 30 will receive a copy of Discovering North Carolina’s Mountains-to-Sea Trail: A Companion for Hikers and Armchair Explorers written by Jerry Barker. One donor will be chosen at random to receive a special MST prize pack!
None of the work we do would be possible without our donors. Your employer may also have a matching gift program – an easy way to double your giving.
Fundraise to Support the MST
Commit to raise funds to help build, maintain, protect and promote the MST.
Raise $480 or more to receive a special surprise!
Invite your friends to support your love of the MST by setting up a Facebook fundraiser (or other peer-to-peer system that you prefer.)
You can set up a peer-to-peer fundraiser through Facebook quite easily. If you choose this route, let us know so we know to watch for those gifts because we aren’t notified by them. It’s easy to do, click here to find our fundraising page on Facebook. You’ll be on a pre-filled template for general donations – you can edit the standard donation copy by downloading 4t8h Birthday Campaign copy. We can also send you photos from the trail or any logos you may need.
