OLD FORT, N.C. — The U.S. Forest Service has reopened two dozen hiking trails in western North Carolina, including the popular Catawba Falls, boosting tourism in the area.
Channel 9′s Dave Faherty found out the impact those trails have on tourism in the mountains.
Business owners in Old Fort said they’ve already seeing more people arriving in town.
It didn’t take long for families, including Nora Alionis and her son, to find out about the reopening of the Catawba Falls.
Seeing it frozen over is something she’ll never forget but it’s her plans after the hike that are important for the nearby town of Old Fort.
“So, we’re hoping to stop by for a quick lunch before we head back to Tennessee, and hopefully can come when it’s a little bit warmer,” Alionis said.
Along Main Street, Amy Davis has already seen more folks coming to town to her store with the falls back open. She said the Catawba Falls attracts tens of thousands of visitors each year and the boost in tourism couldn’t come at a better time with the community still recovering.
“Huge,” said Davis referring to business at the Davis Country Store. “While businesses have started to reopen the town isn’t truly open until there’s a reason for tourists to come to town. We are a tourism town.”
On the trail Wednesday, Channel 9′s Dave Faherty saw where the U.S. Forest Service repaired areas washed away by flooding and several spots where landslides were also cleared.
Diane Schramm and Gay Rose, who are with North Carolina High Peaks Trail Association, said the reopening is not only important for the economy but also the well-being of residents.
“For our mental health,” Rose said. “Because we’ve been constantly asked from other hikers where can we go that’s safe. And that’s open, so when we heard this was open again, we were thrilled.”
The U.S. Forest Service said it’s working to get as many trails reopened in western North Carolina as soon as possible.
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