ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — The North Carolina Arboretum has reopened two popular hiking trails after months of closure for maintenance and safety improvements.
The Lower Wesley Branch Trail and Lower Willow Pond Trail officially reopened July 20, restoring continuous trail access from the arboretum’s front gate to Willow Pond and its main garden areas. Arboretum officials credited the Natural Resources team for the work and urged hikers to follow all signage and remain cautious, noting that wooded areas and trails above the reopened route remain closed for ongoing debris removal and safety work.
In addition to trail updates, the Arboretum’s popular summer concert series, Arbor Evenings, has returned with expanded offerings. The event now runs Wednesdays and Thursdays through Sept. 18, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., and features live music from local bands and a rotating lineup of food trucks.
More information and a full schedule are available here.