Great Trails State Day 2025 – Miles of Fun, Fitness, and Fellowship!
North Carolina’s official Great Trails State Day—celebrated each year on the third Saturday in October—was a huge success at Valdese Lakeside Park! From sunrise coffee and donuts to sunset pizza, participants hiked, biked, kayaked, ran, and walked their way to an incredible 🌟2,086 collective miles🌟 between 7:00 a.m. and 7:45 p.m. This statewide celebration encourages residents to get outside and explore North Carolina’s growing trail network, and Valdese once again stepped up in a big way.
Hosted by Friends of the Valdese Rec, the Burke River Trail Association, and the Valdese Parks & Recreation Department, the all-day event featured snacks, giveaways, and plenty of camaraderie along the trails – we even had Plein Air Painters! Families, youth teams, and seasoned hikers all joined in—including an Asheville hiking group, families, and the Lenoir-Rhyne Cross Country teams, who alone logged an impressive 62.4 miles! Special guest Lydia Daniel, wife of Senator Warren Daniel, joined the fun to help celebrate this growing North Carolina holiday that highlights the state’s commitment to outdoor recreation.
This year’s goal was 2,025 miles—and our community didn’t just meet it, we beat it! After surpassing 1,526 miles in 2023 and 2,056 miles in 2024, the 2025 total of 2,086 miles shows how momentum continues to build. A huge thank-you to every participant and volunteer who made the day possible—and to everyone who proves, year after year, that trails connect more than just places… they connect people.
