Johnston County residents have three months to turn fall walks into a countywide outdoor challenge.

The 2026 JoCo Fall Hiking Challenge runs from October 1 through December 31 and highlights nine trails around Johnston County.

Unlike many organized recreation programs, no advance registration is required to participate in the challenge.

Participants can explore the featured trails on their own schedule during the challenge period, making it flexible for families, retirees, individuals and groups of friends.

The program encourages residents to discover outdoor spaces they may have driven past without ever exploring.

A kickoff group hike is planned for Saturday, October 10, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

The kickoff takes place at Clemmons Educational State Forest in Clayton and begins with the forest's approximately 0.6-mile Talking Tree Trail.

That short route makes the opening event approachable for many walkers while introducing participants to one of Johnston County's best-known educational outdoor destinations.

The larger challenge is about exploring more than one park.

Nine trails are featured across the county, giving participants a reason to visit different communities and landscapes during cooler fall weather.

Completing hikes also earns entries toward a prize drawing, adding a little extra motivation for anyone who enjoys checking destinations off a list.

The real reward, though, may simply be discovering a new place to walk close to home.

Fall is an especially good season for a local hiking challenge because cooler temperatures can make longer walks more comfortable, while changing leaves give familiar parks a different look.

Participants should still prepare for each trail individually.

Conditions, surfaces, distances and available facilities can vary, so comfortable footwear, water and a quick review of the trail information before leaving home are sensible.

After rain, some natural-surface trails may also be muddy or slippery.

The challenge continues through December 31, so there is no need to complete every hike in a single weekend or even a single month.

That long window makes the program easy to fit around work, school, travel and changing weather.

For anyone who wants company getting started, the October 10 kickoff at Clemmons Educational State Forest provides a natural first step.

For everyone else, the challenge can begin whenever their schedule allows.

Whether you complete one new trail or work through all nine, the JoCo Fall Hiking Challenge is a simple invitation to get outside and see more of Johnston County this fall.