Our Area Trails

Elkin is the only place in North Carolina where three sanctioned trails converge. The Mountains to Sea Trail and the Yadkin River “blue water trail”  are both North Carolina State sanctioned trails. The Overmountain Victory Trail is a Federally sanctioned trail. In a visit to Elkin you can explore all three!

Elkin Valley Trails Association is currently constructing and maintaining “segment 6” of the Mountains to Sea Trail (MST). Our section stretches almost 70 miles from Devils Garden on the Blue Ridge Parkway through Stone Mountain State Park, to Elkin and on to Pilot Mountain State Park. Because of the ongoing construction of various segments of the trail, please check with this link to get the most updated information about trail conditions and openings. EVTA is proud to be part of this trail which stretches from Clingman’s Dome in the Great Smoky Mountains almost 1200 miles to Jockey’s Ridge on the Outer Banks..

Paddling the Yadkin “Blue Water” trail is also a family oriented adventure. There are 6 + outfitters who provide canoes, kayaks and equipment for a mostly gentle and peaceful family float. The river cities like Elkin and the 5 counties, along with the private operators, maintain more the 17 access points along the 125 miles stretch of the Yadkin river basin. Swimming, fishing and camping can be enjoyed by the whole family.

The Overmountain Victory National Historic trail is also a “work in progress”. The Eastern terminus starts in downtown Elkin on its eventual journey, following revolutionary patriots footsteps, to the site of the Battle of Kings Mountain in 1780. Itl will connect near Wilkesboro with the Western trail to create some 330 miles of trail.

Our trails appeal to many different users. From Devils Garden into Stone Mountain State Park the MST is “hiker’s only”. Inside the park, the MST joins some equestrian trails, for horses and hiking. Closer to Elkin, we have bike & hike trails. In Elkin we have “high intensity” mountain bike trails (link to MB) as well as “family” biking and hiking along the converted Elkin & Alleghany Railroad bed trail.

We hope that after you take a journey on one of our trails, you will be inclined to want to do more, more hiking, biking or paddling. And perhaps you will ask yourself, “How can I be more involved?”. EVTA has no paid staff and relies completely on volunteers and the generosity of landowners. So, if you have a special ability or interest or just want to have some fun helping us build and maintain trails, use the volunteer tab at the top of the page!