Conserving Carolina’s trails coordinator Peter Barr recently accepted an achievement award from the national Coalition of Recreational Trails for the Wildcat Rock Trail, a three-mile stretch in the Hickory Nut Gorge.
The Wildcat Rock Trail features an exceptionally sustainable trail design protecting natural resources including rare species and sensitive natural habitats. It traverses 166 acres of natural lands which are forever protected by Conserving Carolina.
Barr designed the trail in 2014 and with the help of many contractors, it was opened to the public in 2017, according to Mountain Xpress.
The trail incorporates more than 300 masoned stone stairs that ascend Little Bearwallow Mountain, reaching a 100-foot waterfall and scenic Wildcat Rock on the way.