Foothills Conservancy of North Carolina (FCNC) recently announced the opening of a new public hiking trail on its South Mountains Headwaters Preserve property in Burke County.
Named the Bob Benner Memorial Trail, this 1.3-mile moderate hiking-only trail features two overlooks for hikers to enjoy views of the South Mountains.
The trailhead and parking area are located on Old N.C.18, just south of Sugarloaf Road and north of Baptist Camp Road, approximately 20 minutes from downtown Morganton.
FCNC’s South Mountains Headwaters Preserve was first established in 2015 to further protect land and water resources in the headwaters of the Henry Fork River and Jacob Fork River watersheds.
Since the initial land purchase, the preserve has grown to 1,885 acres, and it shares three miles of boundary with the South Mountains State Park.
FCNC has taken steps to restore native hardwood and pine forests on the preserve property through sustainable forestry practices. More than 80,000 native pines had been planted on the preserve as of 2024.
“Opening a trail on FCNC land in the South Mountains is a fantastic way to celebrate 30 years of our organization’s dedication to protecting the foothills and Blue Ridge Mountains of western North Carolina,” said Andrew Kota, executive director.
“Our founding in 1995 was for the purpose of protecting nearly 18,000 acres that became the publicly-accessible South Mountains Game Land. Thirty years later, we are opening the Bob Benner Memorial Trail so the public can recreate and enjoy vistas of the South Mountains State Park, a park that FCNC has helped expand into the largest state park in North Carolina,” Kota continued.
The moderately strenuous trail is approximately 1.3 miles long (2.6 miles out and back), with 500 feet of elevation gain from the parking area to the highest point.
The trail utilizes existing logging roads in different sections, so FCNC advises hikers to be aware of turns on and off of the logging roads.
There are two overlooks along the trail. The first provides a gorgeous view of the South Mountains right after the first uphill section on the trail.
The second is at the end of the trail and offers a stunning view into the heart of the South Mountains — the perfect reward for one’s hike. The bench at the end of the trail is ideal for quiet reflection and appreciation of wild spaces.
“Living in the South Mountains and working for Foothills Conservancy, I’m so thankful our organization offers public spaces like this, as well as the nearby Possum Rock River access on our Henry Fork River Preserve,” said Ian Spinelli, marketing and development Manager. “The innate beauty, diversity of flora and fauna, and stunning vistas are such a delight to share with locals and visitors alike,” he added.
FCNC dedicated this trail to Bob Benner, a founding board member of Foothills Conservancy of North Carolina. A valiant trailblazer for outdoor recreation and conservation, Bob was the recipient of the Order of the Long Leaf Pine award.
He helped build and maintain 70 miles of the Mountains to Sea Trail, and his passion for the outdoors inspires the protection of natural places, like this one, for future generations.
In September of 2019, Bob was brought to the trailhead for a dedication ceremony before his passing.
“Growing up … I learned to love everything about the outdoors, and early on I realized I wanted to protect them, if I could,” Benner said at the time.
He continued, “I truly hope that the influence I have had over the years will inspire future generations to continue seeing the need to conserve and protect the lands we are so fortunate to have here in the foothills of North Carolina. It is my hope that Foothills Conservancy and similar organizations will continue generating the interest and support needed to protect these precious lands.”
“I know that Pop was very pleased to have a trail named in his honor,” said David Benner, Bob’s son. “More than that would be the pride he would feel for the organization responsible for it. Foothills Conservancy has done amazing work on so many levels for some time now. Thanks from the ‘Old Man’ and from me,” he expressed.
Foothills Conservancy of North Carolina is a nationally accredited regional land trust that inspires conservation in Western North Carolina by permanently protecting land and water for the benefit of people and all living things.
A 501©(3) nonprofit, Foothills Conservancy has permanently protected over 71,500 acres across eight counties: Alexander, Burke, Caldwell, Catawba, Cleveland, Lincoln, McDowell, and Rutherford, and in three major river basins: the Broad, Catawba, and Yadkin.
Information about Foothills Conservancy, including ways to support its work, can be found online at www.foothillsconservancy.org or by calling 828-437-9930.
