Uwharrie Mountains

The Uwharrie Mountains are a mountain range in North Carolina spanning the counties of Randolph, Montgomery, Stanly, and Davidson. The range's foothills stretch into Cabarrus, Anson, Union, and Richmond counties.

The Uwharries were once a coastal mountain range; isostasy has slowly raised the eastern seabed until today they lie in the Piedmont of North Carolina over 150 mi from the coast. Formed approximately 500 million years ago by accretion along the Gondwanan tectonic plate, they are thought to have once peaked at some 20000 ft, before eroding to a maximum of just over 1100 ft. The range's high point is High Rock Mountain (1188 ft as measured by the NC Geodetic Survey), in southwestern Davidson County.

The Uwharrie lie within the Southeastern mixed forests ecoregion. They give their name to the Uwharrie National Forest. Once entirely cleared for timber and farmland, the mountains were designated a U.S. National Forest in 1961 by President John F. Kennedy. The woodlands have since returned, providing a haven for a diversity of wildlife, recreational facilities, and numerous Native American archeological sites.

In 1799, the discovery of gold at the nearby Reed Gold Mine in Cabarrus County led to America's first gold rush.

The North Carolina Zoo, America's first state-supported zoo, is located in the Uwharries region.

The Caraway Mountains, a segment of the Uwharries, are located in western Randolph County, west of Asheboro.

Protected areas

 * Birkhead Mountains Wilderness
 * Morrow Mountain State Park
 * Uwharrie National Forest