From its rolling hills to scenic mountaintops, the High Country region of North Carolina does not lack for physical beauty. A sprinkling of craft breweries, college town amenities, and an abundance of outdoor recreational opportunities add to the vibrancy of this compelling part of the state. The sights, sounds, and scenery of this picturesque slice of Appalachia draw outdoor enthusiasts the world over. A number of well traveled hiking trails cut through the landscape in the High Country region and the mountains of western North Carolina, allowing visitors to experience firsthand all that the region has to offer. Thanks to a collaborative undertaking by a group of local governments, local tourism authorities, and state partners, another trailway may soon cut its way through the region’s woodlands. DbD is collaborating with this collection of stakeholders to promote their shared interest in planning for the region’s future.  

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Extending approximately 40 miles in length, the Northern Peaks Trail will integrate previously disparate areas by providing access to over 12,000 acres of public land, and connecting two classic North Carolina main streets. Although $35-50 million in public money has been invested in lands along the Northern Peaks, very little access or connectivity exists, making this region a vastly untapped area for recreation, conservation, and the public good. The Northern Peaks Tail has the potential to be a truly transformational project. Traversing an ancient mountain chain and connecting two culturally-rich downtowns, the trail will be a multi- faceted asset for the region as both a driver of tourism and a catalyst for economic development.

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The Challenge

An undertaking like the Northern Peaks Trail does not come without its challenges. The High Country region is home to a diverse ecological environment that can be sensitive to even the slightest disruptions. With that reality in mind, the DbD team knew that the preservation of existing natural assets must be carefully considered when assessing the viability of the proposed Northern Peaks Trail. The following guiding question was instrumental in our plan: How do we allow public access while still conserving some of the state’s most important natural and biological resources?

Compromise and Cooperation

Through our process of compromise and unification, DbD developed a cutting-edge plan for destination-quality recreation that provides public access while also protecting highly sensitive ecosystems. At its core, this plan is routed in unity. DbD makes it a priority to connect people and places in all the work that we do. This guiding principle is especially critical in a region like the High Country where the bonds between nature and its admirers are so strong. In addition to fostering a “oneness” between the region’s natural assets and the people who seek to enjoy them, the proposed Northern Peaks Trail plan will also help unify key regional stakeholders. The plan unifies county jurisdictions, environmental groups, and recreational organizations in the region, in addition to the meaningful connections that will result from bridging vast areas of natural wonder with the downtown centers in Boone and West Jefferson.

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