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Achieve a Trail Goal

Achieve a Trail Goal

Published: September 04, 2023

This article, written in partnership with the Hickory Metro Convention & Visitors Bureau for the 2023 North Carolina Year of the Trail September theme of "Achieve a Trail Goal," was originally published on the Visit Hickory Metro blog.

In the month of September, we're celebrating the Year of the Trail by encouraging you to Achieve a Trail Goal, no matter how big or small. Are you ready to challenge and push yourself to meet new goals? We have some fantastic ideas to help get you started! 

Park and/or Trail Goals:

  • Visit one new trail or park a month: The Catawba County Park System is a great place to start this goal! In Catawba County, we have four county parks and 50+ local municipal parks for you to explore. Make sure to research and see which trail will best fit you, your interests, abilities and lifestyle. Want to get outside with your family? Check out St. Stephens Park where the kids can play on the new playground, Fido can run off-leash at the dog park and the whole family can enjoy a game of cornhole.

  • Cover a specific number of miles per week/month/year: Deciding how many miles to cover and how quickly can be challenging. The main thing to remember is your skill level; base this goal on your physical ability and work to exceed your goal. Between the four major Catawba County Parks, there are over 45 miles of multi-use trails. This doesn't include the miles at the 50+ other parks within the County. Need route suggestions? We have featured routes across the four Catawba County Parks for you to choose here.

  • Try a new trail activity (walking, hiking, running, biking, paddling, etc): It's time to try something new! Whether you want to stay on land and hike to the tallest summit in Catawba County at Bakers Mountain, ride the fast-paced mountain biking trails at Mountain Creek Park, or kayak the Catawba River from Riverbend Park, we have several fun activities to choose from and spots to start your journey. 

Tips to Meet Your Goals:

  • Set achievable goals based on your skill level. If you are new to hiking, start with a shorter, less strenuous trail. This will ensure that you can make it back to the car! 

  • Have a plan in place to help you meet that goal. This should include getting information about the park before going. A quick tip: grab a map or talk to a park ranger! 

  • Stay consistent while working to complete your goal. Schedule time to do an outdoor activity. This will help to keep you on track to meet your goal! 

  • Stay accountable. One way to stay accountable is to bring along a family member or friend. This can help you get outside! 

Catawba County Park System’s four major parks (Bakers Mountain, Mountain Creek, Riverbend and St. Stephens) offer more than 1,500 acres of natural habitat where you can work on your trail goal seven days a week. Learn more at www.catawbacountyparks.org.