Hiker Registration | Mountains-to-Sea Trail

We encourage folks who are attempting to complete the MST to register with us. Registering gives you easy access to important information that can help you plan and complete your journey. It also provides us with better information about who’s using the MST and data to demonstrate the growth in popularity of the trail.

"*" indicates required fields

Phone

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Trail Angels

The MST is fortunate to have many Trail Angels, volunteers who provide assistance to long-distance hikers ranging from local information to lodging and food. We currently make our list of Trail Angels available only to hikers who have completed this registration form. This basic safeguard and level of accountability is a small step to help ensure the privacy and security of our Trail Angels as well as the hiking community. After you submit the form, a new page will open up in your browser containing a link to the list as well as information about other resources to help you with your journey.

Once you navigate away from the information page, you will not be able to return, so be sure to read it carefully. You will also have an opportunity to download a PDF version of the page.

In addition, we share some of the information – the fields marked “(shared)” – in the registration form with our Trail Angels so they know a little about the hikers they will be meeting. Sharing information with Trail Angels is purely voluntary, and if you opt not to do so, you will still have access to the list; however, some Trail Angels may take this into account when deciding whether to accept a particular request from a hiker.

Would you like to share your information with our trail angels?*

Yes

Tell Us About Yourself

First Name (shared)*

Last Name (shared)*

Do you have a trail name? (shared)

Email*

Phone number (we won't call you unless there is an emergency)

Address*

Street Address City (shared) State (shared) ZIP Code

County*

Tell Us About Your Background (Optional)

The following information is optional. If you choose to answer, it provides valuable information on trail user demographics that could benefit the MST. We will never share this information with anyone else.

Age

Gender

Ethnicity/Race

About Your Hike

Are you (shared):*

thru-hiking (hiking the trail all at once with very few days off)

section hiking (hiking over an extended period of months or years with many days off in between hiking days)

Do you plan to hike (shared):*

Eastbound

Westbound

When do you plan to start?*

MM slash DD slash YYYY

The trail has optional paddle sections and allows people to cycle on the roads. Are you planning to: (check all that apply) (shared)

Hike the whole thing

Bike the roads

Paddle the Neuse

Paddle the Yadkin

Undecided

Is this your first long-distance trail? (shared)

Yes

We’re curious what brought you to the MST. Why did you decide to hike it and what do you hope to experience as you hike across North Carolina? (shared)

Economic Impact

To estimate the economic impact that trail users have across the state, we’d appreciate your input on how your time on the trail contributed to local economies. Our completion form includes space to report your nights and dollars spent in various types of paid accommodations, as well as other money you spent along the trail. If you're willing, it would be helpful to us if you keep track of this information and report it when you've finished your hike.

Keeping in Touch

If you plan to post about your trip on social media, please let us know which platforms and what handle(s) you use.

Trail Updates Mailing List

Would you like to be added to our mailing list notifying people about important trail updates affecting safety and the hiker experience?

Yes

We also have a general mailing list for newsletters and information about membership in Friends of the Mountains-to-Sea Trail (the non-profit that supports hikers and builds, maintains, protects and promotes the MST). Would you like to join this list?

Yes

Signing up for the general list entitles you to one free MST segment trail guide. Note that signing up for the trail updates does not automatically add you to the general mailing list; you must register for both individually.

By signing up for either mailing list and submitting this form, you are consenting to receive marketing emails from Friends of the Mountains-to-Sea Trail. You can revoke your consent to receive emails at any time by using the SafeUnsubscribe® link, found at the bottom of every email. Emails are serviced by Constant Contact.

Certification

By submitting this form, you certify that you have read and agree to abide by Friends of the MST’s Hiker & Trail Angel Etiquette Guidelines. **

By submitting this form, you certify that you have read and agree to abide by Friends of the MST’s Hiker & Trail Angel Etiquette Guidelines. *

I agree

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