Imagine a North Carolina where every county is connected by a network of trails—linking neighborhoods to parks, schools to downtowns, and communities to the natural beauty of State Parks. That vision is at the heart of the Great Trails State project, a bold initiative designed to create seamless connections across the state, making outdoor recreation and active transportation more accessible than ever.
Building on existing and planned trail networks like the East Coast Greenway, Carolina Thread Trail, and Piedmont Legacy Trails, this project weaves together local, regional, and statewide efforts to create a system that benefits all North Carolinians. From urban centers to rural landscapes, these trails are more than just pathways—they are lifelines that support healthy communities, economic growth, and environmental sustainability.
Alta played a key role in bringing this vision to life, leading public and stakeholder engagement, developing priority recommendations, and producing final maps and summary reports to guide implementation. With input from a 50+ member steering committee and hundreds of stakeholders across 14 divisions, this collaborative effort reflects the power of partnerships in shaping a more connected and vibrant future for North Carolina.