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The Adventure Begins

It’s coming

Do you feel that? Something is changing.

The air itself feels different – crisp, cozy, soothing – all clues signaling the start of the most special time of year in Central North Carolina. Soon, the seasons will begin their sudden transition in a dazzling explosion of color and atmosphere, the jubilant greens of summer turning to gem-toned reds, oranges and yellows. With it, the weather will take on the mellow, soulful, unmistakable chill of fall, a precious gift that North Carolina residents are so lucky to experience every year.

So singular is North Carolina’s parade of fall that visitors pour in from all across the country to witness it. While it’s one thing to take in the sights through the window of a car or the lens of a camera, it’s something else entirely to experience the autumnal season from the ground-up. There’s something indescribable about the sound of falling leaves, the smell of woody sweetness, and the still, brisk, otherworldly comfort of the fall climate.

At Three Rivers Land Trust, we know the only way to truly experience the wonder of fall is to be fully immersed in it, surrounded by it, and in direct contact with it. That’s why we offer the Uwharrie Trail Fall Thru Hike, an epic outdoor adventure that facilitates a one-on-one encounter with the land during its most dramatic and extraordinary transformation. This one-of-a-kind journey offers hikers the opportunity to directly experience the hilly, pigmented landscapes that others may only get to glance at through windows or on screens. Sure, those sights may be beautiful, but the real wonder always comes from the land itself. Luckily, connecting to the land is what Three Rivers Land Trust is all about.

An immersive experience

Most of us these days are always in a hurry, but there are some things you simply can’t rush.

To fully embrace the mood and magic of the fall season, it takes time. The Uwharrie Trail Fall Thru Hike lasts 4 days and 3 nights, providing ample time to settle in, forget the cares and stresses of everyday life, and be fully present in the bewitching open spaces of the trail.

The Uwharrie National Trail is famous for its cultural and natural significance, rare plants and wildlife, legendary tales, and rich history. In other words, it has a lot to offer; so much so that it’s impossible to see it all at once. That’s why the Uwharrie Fall Thru Hike covers the entire 40-mile length of the trail, ensuring that hikers get to experience the full depth and breadth of the area from beginning to end – and all at the height of the fall season.

Connecting the Trail

For nearly three decades, Three Rivers Land Trust has fought to fully connect the beloved Uwharrie National Recreational Trail.

The Uwharrie Trail (or Birkhead Mountain Trail) goes through our very own Birkhead Wilderness Area in Randolph County, providing hikers the ability to traverse a long stretch of forested area with beautiful rock outcrops and scenic views from the ridgelines. However, a portion of this section of the trail was on private land that risked being closed off to the public forever. Three Rivers Land Trust acquired the property in March of 2019, and by January 2024, the property was officially transferred to the Uwharrie National Forest, securing this section of trail for all future hikers.

Since 1995, Three Rivers Land Trust has been working with other conservation partners to fill gaps in the Uwharrie National Recreational Trail. When they began this work, the trail had 5 gaps where lands were owned privately and sections of the trail had been lost. Now, thanks to TRLT’s efforts, 4 out of 5 of those gaps have been filled.

When we connect land, we connect people to the land, and the land connects people to each other and to their natural environment. Conservation is not just about preventing development, it’s about preserving this precious land for future generations to discover, explore, enjoy, and share, and in so doing, add their own stories to its long and unique history. Supporting local conservation is easier than you think. It can be as simple as packing up a backpack, lacing up a pair of boots, and hitting the trail.

We hope you’ll join us for this unforgettable journey.