The walking trail at Lake Junaluska Conference and Retreat Center is getting longer thanks to a new one-half mile extension on the lake’s south side.

Lake Junaluska is adding the new section of trail along South Lakeshore Drive, just south of the footbridge to the intersection of Hickory Hill and U.S. 19.  

The addition is being added to the trail’s upper loop, lengthening it to 1.9 miles. The trail’s bottom loop is 2.4 miles. Combined, the two loops make for a 4.3-mile path around the 200-acre lake.

The new path will be made of packed gravel, said Buddy Young, director of Assembly Public Works.

The trails, which are free and open to the public, are popular among runners, walkers, dog walkers and those pushing strollers.

The project, which should be finished in a week or two, costs about $61,000 and is being funded by the Lake Junaluska Associates, a fundraising group that supports Lake Junaluska projects and programs.