Matador Network: Try Forest Bathing.

“The Jackson County Greenway is a different experience. The mile-long paved path is the first fully accessible Certified Forest Therapy Trail in the US designed to accommodate a wide range of mobility needs. It follows the Tuckasegee River, and shows how a gentle entry point to forest therapy can work without pushing deep into the woods for sensory immersion.

The walk begins with a bridge crossing before leading down a ramp to the main path. I walked with ANFT-certified forest therapy guide Madison Traviss through a series of “invitations,” or prompts to help connect me with my senses in this transitionary period from winter to spring. “It’s about falling in love with little pockets of nature,” Traviss said.

Along the way, we passed blooming bloodroot, budding trillium, and fluttering butterflies. The sound of the Tuckasege River grounded the experience. The pace is slow by design, encouraging you to notice more, feel more, and reflect.

Of course, the trails themselves are only one part of a trip to this part of North Carolina. You don’t have to stay on the trail to connect with your senses.”

— Kayla Brock // APR 22, 2026