The mountains’ section of the Mountains-to-Sea Trail was designated as a National Recreation Trail last month on National Trails Day.

While the entire trail is 935 miles from Clingman’s Dome in Great Smoky Mountains National Park to Jockey’s Ridge State Park on the Outer Banks, many segments of the trail in the eastern part of the state are not completed. In the mountains, however, national forest land, the Blue Ridge Parkway corridor and a plethora of existing trails were able to provide a backbone for the MST and lead to its earlier designation as a National Recreation Trail.

“This backcountry trail extends nearly 193 miles and is the longest section of the Mountains-to-Sea Trail. The scenic foot trail ascends and descends with the contours of the Parkway, crossing expansive forests, wildflower gardens, major rivers, and historic sites,” according to a description by the Department of Interior, which issues National Recreation Trail designations.

“When completed, this trail will connect 37 counties, including numerous cities, state parks, and U.S. Forest Service lands. Given the numerous partners and landowners involved, this trail system should be commended for what has been achieved through a diverse partnership. With almost half of the trail now open to the public, this amazing trail is connecting North Carolina in a truly unique way.”

The Mountains-to-Sea Trail was one of 37 trails in 23 states that joined the list of National Recreation Trails and was one of the longest trails recognized.

There are more than 900 National Recreation Trails nationwide totaling more than 10,000 miles.

National Recreation Trail designation is an honor given out to those existing trails that have been nominated and meet the requirements for connecting people to local resources and improving their quality of life. The Mountains-to-Sea Trail will receive a National Recreation Trail marker.

Another trail in Western North Carolina — the Dark Mountain Trail located in the area east of Boone – made the list of National Recreation Trails as well. The Dark Mountain Trail is a 7-mile multi-use trail that opened last year with the help of the International Mountain Bicycling Association. The trail will eventually be extended to provide a connection to the Yadkin River Greenway and the Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail.