ZOO TALES
COME HIKE AND EXPLORE THE TRAILS AT THEPhotosNC ZOO provided by the NC Zoo
T
he North Carolina Zoo has offered recreational opportunities to guests since opening its doors in 1974. But did you know that the Zoo currently provides over six miles of fantastic trails accessible to the public? No matter what level of hiker you may be - brand new to hiking or a trailblazing expert - with nearly five miles of trails on Purgatory Mountain (the main Zoo property) and 1.6 miles at Ridge's Mountain Nature Preserve, there's a hike to suit your needs and preferences. Hiking provides the perfect opportunity to explore new terrain and get some fresh air and exercise. Hiking our trails additionally gives you an opportunity to experience the unique biological, geological, and historical features of these local lands. Our trails and the land they run through. The North Carolina Zoo is committed to protecting 2,000 acres of land for conservation, education, and recreation. These protected lands encompass diverse ecosystems with rare natural communities such as old-growth
longleaf pine forests, monadnock forest, or upland pools, that can be found on our property at Purgatory Mountain. There are several offsite nature preserves where native wildlife thrive under the conservation efforts we provide them every day. The Zoo’s lands are home to native wildlife, and we proudly work to preserve these lands as they also protect dispersal corridors that allow bobcats, foxes, deer, songbirds, and other species to use when they need passage through the area. The Zoo recently hosted a grand opening celebration of the completed Purgatory Mountain Trail Network. This network began nearly 20 years ago with a single trail that followed an old logging road. Since then, the Zoo has expanded this network to nearly five miles, including 2.5 miles developed since 2019. Many hard-working staff and volunteers have helped make this possible, along with several grants that funded a professional trail builder. These trails on Purgatory Mountain vary in length giving you options for either taking a quick walk or taking a day to explore all the trails and getting in almost five miles of
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