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Top Trails in the United States > North Carolina

North Carolina

North Carolina’s Thermal Belt Rail Trail | Photo by Willie Lowe

Learn about trails in North Carolina including top trails, trail statistics, funding, projects and how you can get involved.

Top 10 Trails in North Carolina video (2021)

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Top 10 Trails in North Carolina

View North Carolina trails on TrailLink, RTC’s trail-finder app

State Stats

35

total rail-trails

138

miles of rail-trails

22

current projects

188

miles of potential rail-trail

40.1 M

Available Funds in the State

US Funds

FY23 Total Reserved for Transportation Alternatives and Recreational Trails Program (source: FHWA)

Research upcoming funding opportunities

Learn about Transportation Alternatives funding in the state

News & Stories from NC

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Bridge along Alabama's Chief Ladiga Trail | Photo courtesy City of Anniston Public Relations Department

Five Amtrak Destinations for Exploring the South by Train and Trail

February 17, 2026

north end of the North Carolina's Charlotte Rail Trail | Photo by Scott Stark

America’s Trails

Best Of: Game-Changing Rail-Trails You May Not Know About

January 27, 2026

Friends of the Ecusta Trail board members on North Carolina's Ecusta Trail | Photo courtesy Friends of Ecusta Trail

America’s Trails

Seven Stellar New Rail-Trails: 2025’s Gift to America

December 11, 2025

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