Fonta Flora State Trail

Authorized in 2015, the Fonta Flora State Trail will connect Morganton to Asheville with a hiking and biking trail. Included in the trail is a loop around Lake James. The trail will traverse Lake James State Park, part of Pisgah National Forest and Fonta Flora County Park in Burke County. It will also connect to the Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail and the Mountains-to-Sea State Trail.

It is named after the local settlement of African-American sharecroppers, whose homes were flooded when the Catawba River was dammed to create Lake James. The feather icon of this state trail was inspired by our national bird, the bald eagle. Artwork incorporating the feather has been used along the trail and at the trailheads, particularly in Burke County. When it is complete, the Fonta Flora State Trail will be approximately 100 miles long.

Volunteer opportunities

To volunteer with trail building or trail maintenance, please contact Shane Prisby, operations manager for the Burke County Community Development, at 828-764-9034.

Designated sections

List of designated sections for the Fonta Flora State Trail