Join Buncombe Recreation Services for summer entry-level hikes

The first hike starts 6pm on Thursday, July 27 at the beautiful Collier Cove Nature Preserve in Arden. A hidden gem within a community, the Collier Cove Nature preserve is located at 190 Rhododendron Dr. in Arden.

Press release:

Join Buncombe Recreation Services for Summer Entry-Level Hikes!

Media Contact: Lynn Pegg, 828.250.6707, lynn.pegg@buncombecounty.org
Event Contact: Josh O’Conner, 828.250.6703, josh.oconner@buncombecounty.org

Following a series of hikes this spring, Buncombe County Recreation Services has added additional community hikes this summer across Buncombe County. These hikes will showcase some of our local parks hiking trails as well as some better known trails along the Blue Ridge Parkway and Pisgah National Forest. The effort to offer experiences for residents who new to outdoor recreation is part of the Buncombe Outdoors Initiative.

All the hike locations were chosen due to their moderate difficulty so that all persons can get out and enjoy the beautiful scenery of Western North Carolina, and will be led by an experienced guide.

The first hike starts 6pm on Thursday, July 27 at the beautiful Collier Cove Nature Preserve in Arden. A hidden gem within a community, the Collier Cove Nature preserve is located at 190 Rhododendron Dr. in Arden. We will meet in the parking area at 6:00pm and hike several of the short loops in the park. The trails are a little steep but not too strenuous. Bring your water bottle and camera, there is beautiful scenery all around.

Additional hikes will take place at Craggy Gardens (Blue Ridge Parkway) and Alexander Park Loop. We’d like to know you are joining us for these hikes. There are no fees involved, just a quick online form so we know how many people to expect.

Buncombe County Recreation Services hikes are being held in conjunction with Go Hike NC and Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina. To register for a Hike and to enter a great contest visit www.Gohikenc.com and click on the Find Your Hike link.

Name of Park: Craggy Gardens
Trail Name: Craggy Gardens Trail
Distance: 0.9mi
Degree of Difficulty: Moderate, Climbs Moderately, Some Obstacles
Trail Description: https://www.hikewnc.info/trails/blue-ridge-parkway-section-4/craggy-gardens
Date of Hike: August 6, 2017
Time: 10am
Estimated Duration: 2 hours
Meetup Location: Craggy Gardens Picnic Area (Blue Ridge Parkway Mile Post 364.2
Hike Leader: Buncombe County Recreation Services, 828.250.4260, parks@buncombecounty.org

Name of Park: Alexander Mountain Bike Park
Trail Name: Alexander Park M3 Loop Trail
Distance: 2.8 miles
Degree of Difficulty: Moderate, Hilly, Some Obstacles
Trail Description: https://www.hikewnc.info/trails/alexander-mountain-bike-park/m3-loop
Date of Hike: August 26, 2017
Time: 1pm
Estimated Duration: 3 hours
Meetup Location: 90 Old Marshall Hwy, Alexander, NC 28701, United States
Hike Leader: Buncombe County Recreation Services, 828.250.4260, parks@buncombecounty.org

Get your hiking shoes dusted off, we return to the trails on Thursday July 27, 2017! See you at the park! Register for the Collier Cove hike at hikecollier.buncombeoutdoors.org.

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About Dan Hesse
I grew up outside of Atlanta and moved to WNC in 2001 to attend Montreat College. After college, I worked at NewsRadio 570 WWNC as an anchor/reporter and covered Asheville City Council and the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners starting in 2004. During that time I also completed WCU's Master of Public Administration program. You can reach me at dhesse@mountainx.com.

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