The Wondrous Nature of The Sandhills

Also known as the Carolina Sandhills, this unique region within the Atlantic Coastal Plain, spans a wide swath of up to thirty-five-miles wide that traverses the states of North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia. Characterized by sand sheets and sand dunes that have been formed throughout the ages, The Sandhills are largely made up of a multitude of windblown layers of sand, sandstone and clay. A fantastic ecosystem of longleaf pine and wiregrass sprouts forth from much of it, creating a backdrop that offers all kinds of scenic landscapes unlike others within the United States.

As one can imagine, these pine-punctuated vistas offer many fine opportunities for all kinds of recreation. What was once considered to be poor terrain (for farming or other agricultural activities) turned out to offer an idyllic setting for appreciating nature in raw and more tamed manners such as on the golf course, of which there are many in the area. (See More Highlights of Pinehurst, Southern Pines and Aberdeen.)

Situated within the south central region of North Carolina, the area was originally settled by Highland Scots in the early 1700s. Since the sandy soil did not offer a hospitable environment for the growing of crops, it was sparsely settled. That all changed in the mid-nineteenth century with the arrival of the railroad. Not only did the Iron Horse transport people in to admire the natural beauty of this land but it also allowed for the pine trees to be harvested and shipped out of the region. Sadly, this greatly diminished the longleaf pine forests that were once among the most important of the country. But fortunately today you can still see large concentrations of these magnificent trees while walking among the tall grasses that grow beneath them. Indeed in some places it even makes you feel like you’re foraging through the savanna.

The oldest longleaf pine in the world, in fact, is believed to be found in Weymouth Woods Sandhills Nature Preserve, a wonderful North Carolina State Park located in Southern Pines. A network of short, easy trails leads you through these towering pines, many of which are hundreds of years old. Keep your eyes out for all kinds of fauna, including fox squirrels, red cockaded woodpeckers and tree frogs. Their visitor’s center is tops, too.

For horseback riding and/or exceptional wildflower viewing, go to the Walthour-Moss Foundation, a 4,000-acre wildlife preserve just north of Weymouth Woods.

In Pinehurst, you can find all kinds of ways to recreate in nature at the Parks and Greenway Trails located near Olmsted Village. There are a number of different parks to visit, depending on whether or not you want to hike, bike, play tennis or do a good number of other sports. The James W. Tufts Memorial Park, situated in the heart of the Village center, is also known as the “Village Green.” This lovely green space, peppered with benches, picnic tables and other features, also hosts a number of events such as concerts and an open-air market for a good part of the year. The walking and biking paths in this area currently encompass about eight miles and plans are in the works to develop them even more.

Here’s a little aside for you: The weather in Sandhills promotes all kinds of outdoor recreating because it is often warm and sunny and yet drier than most other parts of the South. Ever try exercising in high humidity? It can sometimes make you feel like you’re slogging through a swamp!

After a workout along the Greenway Trails, go ahead and suck down a frosty brew at the nearby Pinehurst Brewing Company. Now that’s one of the best benefits of outdoor recreation around.

Also known as the Carolina Sandhills, this unique region within the Atlantic Coastal Plain, spans a wide swath of up to thirty-five-miles wide that traverses the states of North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia. Characterized by sand sheets and sand dunes that have been formed throughout the ages, The Sandhills are largely made up of a multitude of windblown layers of sand, sandstone and clay. A fantastic ecosystem of longleaf pine and wiregrass sprouts forth from much of it, creating a backdrop that offers all kinds of scenic landscapes unlike others within the United States.

As one can imagine, these pine-punctuated vistas offer many fine opportunities for all kinds of recreation. What was once considered to be poor terrain (for farming or other agricultural activities) turned out to offer an idyllic setting for appreciating nature in raw and more tamed manners such as on the golf course, of which there are many in the area. (See More Highlights of Pinehurst, Southern Pines and Aberdeen.)

Situated within the south central region of North Carolina, the area was originally settled by Highland Scots in the early 1700s. Since the sandy soil did not offer a hospitable environment for the growing of crops, it was sparsely settled. That all changed in the mid-nineteenth century with the arrival of the railroad. Not only did the Iron Horse transport people in to admire the natural beauty of this land but it also allowed for the pine trees to be harvested and shipped out of the region. Sadly, this greatly diminished the longleaf pine forests that were once among the most important of the country. But fortunately today you can still see large concentrations of these magnificent trees while walking among the tall grasses that grow beneath them. Indeed in some places it even makes you feel like you’re foraging through the savanna.

The oldest longleaf pine in the world, in fact, is believed to be found in Weymouth Woods Sandhills Nature Preserve, a wonderful North Carolina State Park located in Southern Pines. A network of short, easy trails leads you through these towering pines, many of which are

hundreds of years old. Keep your eyes out for all kinds of fauna, including fox squirrels, red cockaded woodpeckers and tree frogs. Their visitor’s center is tops, too.

For horseback riding and/or exceptional wildflower viewing, go to the Walthour-Moss Foundation, a 4,000-acre wildlife preserve just north of Weymouth Woods.

In Pinehurst, you can find all kinds of ways to recreate in nature at the Parks and Greenway Trails located near Olmsted Village. There are a number of different parks to visit, depending on whether or not you want to hike, bike, play tennis or do a good number of other sports. The James W. Tufts Memorial Park, situated in the heart of the Village center, is also known as the “Village Green.” This lovely green space, peppered with benches, picnic tables and other features, also hosts a number of events such as concerts and an open-air market for a good part of the year. The walking and biking paths in this area currently encompass about eight miles and plans are in the works to develop them even more

Here’s a little aside for you: The weather in Sandhills promotes all kinds of outdoor recreating because it is often warm and sunny and yet drier than most other parts of the South. Ever try exercising in high humidity? It can sometimes make you feel like you’re slogging through a swamp!

After a workout along the Greenway Trails, go ahead and suck down a frosty brew at the nearby Pinehurst Brewing Company. Now that’s one of the best benefits of outdoor recreation around.

If you’re into bird watching, nature photography, range shooting, hunting, fishing, boating or other major communing with nature, consider going to The Sandhills Game Lands. You’ll find it in the lower left-hand corner of your Discovery Map Sandhills near Hoffman and Pinebluff. Here, you can find all kinds of ways to experience North Carolina wildlife up close and personal. But in some cases, you might want to create some distance between you and our animal friends; translation: be bear aware.

Whether you make it out onto the trail or not, nature lovers will delight in Wild Birds Unlimited in Southern Pines. Know that it’s very important to nurture our bird populations and here you’ll find everything that promotes just that in the most colorful, delicious (for birds!) and creative forms. There’s no doubt that they’ll point you in the right direction for some good birding,too.If you’re into bird watching, nature photography, range shooting, hunting, fishing, boating or other major communing with nature, consider going to The Sandhills Game Lands. You’ll find it in the lower left-hand corner of your Discovery Map Sandhills near Hoffman and Pinebluff. Here, you can find all kinds of ways to experience North Carolina wildlife up close and personal. But in some cases, you might want to create some distance between you and our animal friends; translation: be bear aware.

Whether you make it out onto the trail or not, nature lovers will delight in Wild Birds Unlimited in Southern Pines. Know that it’s very important to nurture our bird populations and here you’ll find everything that promotes just that in the most colorful, delicious (for birds!) and creative forms. There’s no doubt that they’ll point you in the right direction for some good birding, too.