2025 Hiking Calendar

April 17th -Thursday

May 16th - Friday

Murray's Mill, Catawba

Our first hike of the year takes us to historic Murray’s Mill in Catawba, NC. We will take a guided tour of the property that will cost $10 per person. The property includes a grist mill and general store. We will then hike Murray’s Mill Loop Trail. The trail is rated as easy by AllTrails, so it is a hike that everyone should be able to do.

March 26th - Wednesday

Southern Pines, NC

On April 18 th , the hiking club will be going on an urban adventure in Raleigh. We will tour the Nature Science Museum, the Southeast’s largest natural historymuseum. The museum is home to dozens of exhibits from coastal to prehistoric North Carolina. We will have lunch at the Museum. After lunch, we will take a guided tour of Mordecai Historic Park. The Mordecai Plantation was 1200 acres and was the birthplace of Andrew Johnson.

Riverbend Park, Claremont, NC

Martha Washington College opened in a former private residence in Abingdon. The college closed in 1932, but the grand building re-opened as a hotel in 1935. Experience the history and beauty of Abingdon, VA. We will stay in the Martha Washington Hotel; dine at The Tavern, located in the oldest building in Abingdon (1779); see “Grandma Gatewood Took a Walk” at the Barter Theater and hike a section of the Virginia Creeper Trail.

June 19th-Thursday

July 23rd - Wednesday

August 20th -Wednesday

Linville Falls, NC (May Change)

We are going to plan for Linville Falls on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Everyone knows the mountains have been severely affected by Hurricane Helene, but some areas of the parkway are slowly opening. As of February, the Linville Falls area of the Parkway is closed, but the town of Linville Falls and a unique restaurant that we have enjoyed before is open now. Famous Louise’s Rock House Restaurant is one-of-a-kind! Details on this hike will be coming later in the season, with the option of moving to another Parkway location if necessary.

Fairy Stone State Park, Stuart, VA

Virginia’s Fairy Stone State Park is near Stuart, about 1 1/2 hours from BRW. The name describes a special crystal that is rare and found in only a few places in the world. They come in three varieties and are considered good luck pieces. Since our main focus will be a hike, you may easily find one for purchase in the park office. The park has several hiking options and picnic areas, so details will follow about trails and food.

Pilot Mountain State Park

This will be the best dam hike of the year as we visit Yadkin Memorial Park and hike around Hampton Lake to the dam on the Ashley/Ladd Trail. This is an approximate 1.75 mile in and out trail that follows the lake. We will end with a cookout at the Park featuring hamburgers and hot dogs.

November 6th - Thursday

September 22nd - Monday

Hornest Nest Trail, Statesville

Hornest Nest is named after the local Girl Scouts Council and is part of the Carolina Thread Trail system that we hiked in Haw River and Lincolnton. The trail is part of the Catavba Lands Conservancy and a portion of the trail is designated as a NC State Significant Heritage Site...an area of special biodiversity importance. We plan to finish up the hike at Jay Bee's.

Breaks Interstate Park, Breaks, VA

Breaks is known as the "Grand Canyon of the South." Located on the Kentucky and Virgina border the park comprises about 4500 acres and the main feature is Breaks Canyon that runs about 5 miles long and features canyon from 800 to 1600 feet deep. The Breaks was given its name by Daniel Boone as he sought an easier westward passage. The canyon was formed by millions of years erosion of Russell Fork River. We plan to include an Elk viewing tour.

Stone Mountain, Roaring Gap

Blacksburg is home to Virginia Tech, but is much more than a temporary home to college students. It is located in close proximity to the Appalachian Trail and a number of other hiking trails. There are numerous wineries in the area, boutique farms and an old growth forest containing several 300+ year old white oaks. There is also a lively art, restaurant and bar scene in Blacksburg. The historic Smithfield Plantation is home to two virginia governors,