The Pinecone Pathways Program is a great way to explore the outdoors in Moore County, NC. The program happens in March and April, with a bonus on Great Trails State Day in October.
Find out more about planning a trip to the area with our Moore County posts.
When I used to go to the gym with my cousin, it was more for the social aspect than the treadmill. I remember always saying, “I don’t run. I just run my mouth.”
And that’s still true. I still don’t run.
But walking? I do that. Hiking? A little bit.
I’m still not a fan of anything really strenuous or time consuming, if I’m being honest. On vacation, I’m good with a short walk — like the quarter-mile we hiked in the El Yunque Rainforest in Puerto Rico that ended at a natural pool we could swim in. And, if I was in Moore County in the spring or on The Great Trails State Day, I’d be check out all types of trails. Because those hikes can result in finding glass-blown pinecones — and prizes.
So put on your walking shoes and get over to Moore County.
If you’re gonna be hiking around the county in search of these pinecones, you’re gonna need some energy. So, we suggest you fill up at the Carolina Dining Room At Pinehurst Resort, colloquially known as “The Best Breakfast In Golf.”
The food is really good (get an omelet!) and you’ll definitely want to go for a walk when you’re done.
Pinecone Pathways Program: Everything you need to know
The popular Pinecone Pathways Program was started in 2023, which happened to be the Year of the Trail in North Carolina. (Fun fact: It was also the Year of the Rabbit).
To have a little fun with the statewide Year of the Trail campaign, the Moore County Visitors Bureau collaborated with glassmakers at Starworks in Star, NC to create 100 colorful glass pinecones. The pinecones were hidden on trails throughout Moore County.
Each week, the Pinehurst, Southern Pines, Aberdeen Area Convention & Visitors Bureau (aka the CVB) would announce the trail or park where residents could search for hidden glass pinecones. Anyone who found one was able to keep it.
This was a great way to highlight the beautiful walking trails in Moore County. And since the exact location of every pinecone wasn’t disclosed, just the name of the park or trail, it was a good excuse for people to get outside and walk around a bit.
The glass pinecones were super rare too. The only way to get your hands on one was to find one. They weren’t available for purchase in store.
But there was more, too.
Each pinecone came with a special number and a QR code, which allowed finders to register them for a chance in the grand prize drawing. Last year, the prizes were ground passes to the 2024 U.S. Open (held in Pinehurst, which is in Moore County), round of mini golf at the Wee Pines miniature golf facility, a gift card to a local restaurant, and more.
Due to popular demand, the CVB brought the pinecone program back for a five-week period in the Spring of 2024 (from the first day of Spring until Earth Day). It’s a now annual event and will be back again from March 20 to April 22, 2026.
Pinecone Pathways Program 2026
The program kicks off with the Pinecone Pathways Kickoff Party at the Weymouth Center for the Arts and Humanities in Southern Pines on March 18 from 5:30 pm to 7 pm.
The community is invited to a meet and green with glassmakers, a vendor market, live music, and food trucks. There will also be pinecones to find at the event.
After the kickoff party, there will be 20 glass pinecones hidden throughout the trail systems. The trails will be announced on social media.
If you find a pinecone, it will be tagged with a number and QR code. Follow the QR code to register the number. It’ll enter you for a chance to win prizes like a two-night stay in the Pinehurst area and more.
Great Trails State Day
The Pinecone Pathways Program usually comes back for Great Trails State Day in October.
For Great Trails State Day 2024, there were 30 pottery pinecones, crafted by potter Crystal King, that are the actual size of pinecones. The clay pinecones were hidden on trails in Moore County, and you could easily be able to tell the difference because one, they looked different and two, they had a large piece of paper with instructions and a QR code on it.
If you found one and scan the QR code, the CVB made a $25 donation to the NC Disaster Relief Fund (which was a great way to help the victims of Hurricane Helene, which slammed Western North Carolina).
Southern Pines Park Pals
This pinecone program isn’t to be confused with the Southern Pines Park Pals initiative that happened in May and July 2024.
During those months, small clay figures made by Jean Skipper were hidden in local parks. The Southern Pines Parks & Rec social media pages would post the locations on Sunday so residents and visitors could hunt for the figures.
My mom and I were actually in the Pinehurst area for Peach Week and went to one of the local parks to look for the Park Pal. We couldn’t find it.
Of course, that was our fault. We took a long hike on the trail next to the community park, not realizing that it was actually not a part of the park. I took a photo of the playground at the park, which was actually the entirety of the park, and I’m pretty sure I can see the Park Pal in the background.
So, county residents who know the area a little better have an advantage. But it’s still fun to head out to different parks and explore.
More Things To Do In The Sandhills Region:
If you’re heading to the area to look for pinecones, you’re going to need a few other things to do. We loved the Sandhills Horticultural Gardens, which is a free botanical garden on the Sandhills Community College campus in Pinehurst.
And, if you’re planning on exploring and enjoying adult beverages, head to the CVB and pick up your beer passport for the Sandhills Pour Tour. You stop by local breweries and local watering holes. Get a stamp when you make a purchase at each. Get all nine stamps for a limited edition collector’s glass. Plus, you’ll be entered for a chance to win the a special Sandhills getaway for Valentine’s Day weekend 2025, which includes date nights at local businesses.
Would you head out to look for pinecones as part of the Pinecone Pathways Program? Let us know in the comments.