After storm and setbacks, new bike trails ready to roll

After years of planning, setbacks from Hurricane Helene, and months of recovery work, Burke County’s mountain biking community now has a place to ride just minutes from downtown Morganton.

The Foothills Mountain Bike Trail System at Catawba Meadows Park has been open to the public under a soft opening for about a month, but outdoor recreation and conservation leaders are coming together for a grand opening at 10 a.m., Tuesday, May 5, to celebrate five new miles of trails for riders of all skill levels.

For local riders, the biggest draw may be how accessible they are. The system sits just outside downtown, giving beginners, experienced cyclists, and families a close-to-home option that doesn’t require a trip out of town.

The trail network includes:

• A beginner-friendly loop with a flatter, greenway-style natural surface
• An intermediate section with purpose-built features
• A more technical, black diamond downhill segment for advanced riders

For Overmountain Cycles Owner Michael Lowther, who has been a partner in the project, the excitement of the new trails is coupled with his business’ move to River Village Shopping Center.

Once it’s open, riders will be able to grab a drink and a bite to eat at his new space, which he expects will be a go-to spot for the outdoor community, and where he plans to have bike rentals for those who are discovering the trails.

Lowther said he’s already been riding on the trails himself, and he’s seen people already making the trails a weekly spot.

“As a father, it’s exciting to see my kids riding them,” Lowther said, adding that his two sons, ages 8 and 11, love the new trails.

“This project has been years in the making, and we’re excited to celebrate its completion with the community,” said Shane Prisby, trails program director at Foothills Conservancy of North Carolina. “These trails provide a high-quality, community focused space for riders to build skills, connect with the outdoors, and enjoy a resource that will serve both visitors and residents of Morganton and the greater Burke County area for years to come.”

For Prisby, the entirety of his career with Foothills Conservancy has been focused on bringing this project to life.

Work on the project dates back to 2020, when Foothills Conservancy began partnering with Morganton Parks and Recreation, Overmountain Cycles, Black Diamond Trail Designs, and the North Carolina Interscholastic Cycling League. The goal was to build a trail system that works for everyone, while keeping it close to town.

But just as the project neared completion, Hurricane Helene hit.

“We actually had an official opening date selected at that point and were planning a ribbon cutting event,” said Katherine Ehrlichman, the conservancy’s marketing and development director.

The storm forced Black Diamond Trail Designs back into heavy construction mode as sections of trail were buried. Crews, who had equipment destroyed in the flooding, had to clear fallen trees, remove sediment, rebuild bridges, replace signage, and even reroute portions of the trail that were no longer sustainable. Prisby added that active-duty soldiers from Fort Bragg came in to help clear out trees and other debris.

“Helene literally buried sections of the trail under multiple feet of water, mud, and debris, but because of the quality of the design and construction, we were able to recover it,” Prisby said.

The design work was the product of studying terrain through desktop analysis and extensive on-the-ground visits to create a system that manages water naturally and reduces long-term maintenance needs, Ehrlichman said.

Making the trail system a reality also depended on community support and trail easements, Prisby said. The City of Morganton contributed funding, private donors helped fill gaps, and the Erwin family allowed the trail to cross their property.

“It truly took a collaborative effort to bring it to life,” Ehrlichman said.

Beyond recreation, Ehrlichman said the trail system is expected to bring broader benefits to Morganton.

It’s the first system in the region built to National Interscholastic Cycling Association standards, meaning it can host organized youth races. Burke County’s NICA team is expected to begin using the trails in 2027, opening the door for competitions that could draw many visitors to Morganton.

“Events and races can bring in potentially thousands of visitors, creating a strong intersection between outdoor recreation and local economic development,” Ehrlichman said.

“It helps reinforce Western North Carolina as a destination for cycling and outdoor activity.”