Distances noted
are round trip.
ARMSTRONG CREEK 3640 ft. Primitive hiking trail on old logging
road. Take NC 226A to Armstrong Fish Hatchery Road (1443). Trail head
begins past hatchery parking lot. Distance 6 miles, easy-moderate.
BAD FORK 2940 ft. Primitive trail connects with Woods Mountain and
Armstrong Creek Trails. Take NC 226A to Armstrong Fish Hatchery Road
(1443). Drive 3 miles to trail head on left side at confluence of Bad Fork
with Armstrong Creek. Distance 8 miles, moderate.
BETSY RIDGE 3160 ft. Old logging road trail, with views of Black
Mountains, intersects Little Buck Creek Trail and ends at Woods Mountain
Trail. Take US 221, north of Marion. Left on Tom's Creek Road (1434). Take
first right onto dirt road. Trail head is second dirt road on left.
Distance 9 miles, easy-moderate.
BLUE RIDGE PINNACLE 5665 ft. Prominent peak near Mt. Mitchell,
awesome views. Begin at swing-bar gate on road at Parkway Milepost 354.8.
Distance 3 miles, easy.
KITSUMA PEAK 3195 ft. Short, 20-minute trail. Breathtaking views
and unusual Carolina hemlocks. Take I-40 westbound to Ridgecrest exit.
Turn onto "Old US 70." Park at Ridgecrest Overlook. Distance 1
mile, moderate.
LEAD MINE GAP 3460 ft. Mixed forested environment with long range
views. Take Curtis Creek Road from US 70, east of Old Fort. Continue about
8 1Z?2 miles to trail head. Trail ends at Hickory Branch Trail, which
after 2 miles rejoins Curtis Creek Road at lower point. Distance 5 miles,
moderate.
LINVILLE GORGE 3400 ft. Eastern America's most scenic and rugged
gorge. On NC 183 in village of Linville Falls, turn right at dirt road (Kistler
Memorial Highway, #1238) 3/4 mile from intersection with US 221. There are
multiple strenuous trails accessible from Kistler Memorial Highway. Obtain
Linville Gorge Wilderness Map from US Forest Service Grandfather District
Office in Nebo, 828-652-2144
LITTLE BUCK CREEK 3600 ft. Excellent views of Marion, Lake Tahoma,
and Black Mountains. Take US 70, west of Marion. Turn right on NC 80 and
go past Lake Tahoma. After crossing bridge over lake headwaters, turn
right onto dirt road. Turn left at first intersection and go 1.5 miles to
trail head (at turnout with USFS sign and gate). Distance 5.8 miles,
moderate-strenuous. |
MACKEY MOUNTAIN 3400 ft. Excellent views in bear
sanctuary. Take Curtis Creek Road, off US 70, east of Old Fort. Trail head
is 9 miles at entrance to Sugar Cove Road. Distance 16 miles, moderate.
NEWBERRY CREEK 4300 ft. Scenic trail ends at Parkway. Take Curtis
Creek Road, off US 70, east of Old Fort. Left at Newberry Creek Road (FS
482A). Trail begins after 4 miles at end of road. Distance 5 miles,
easy-moderate.
WOODLAWN FITNESS TRAIL 1600 ft. Fitness trail consists of 7
stations, 2 exercises per station, on a 1/4 mile jogging path. Additional
1-mile loop surrounds exercise trail. Woodlawn Work Center is 6 miles
north of Marion on US 221. Trail is behind picnic area on left. Distance
1.25 miles, easy-moderate.
WOODS MOUNTAIN 3600 ft. Excellent views of Black Mountains, Little
Switzerland, Armstrong Creek watershed area, and Table Rock from section
of North Carolina's "Mountains to Sea Trail." Trail begins near
Buck Creek Gap overlook at intersection of Blue Ridge Parkway and NC 80.
Trail may be exited on US 221, at US Forest Service rest area near
Woodlawn. Distance 13 miles, moderate-strenuous.
YOUNG'S RIDGE 3165 ft. Trail begins at Old Fort Picnic Area.
Incredible views of Kitsuma Peak where trail ends. From US 70, west of Old
Fort, take first right onto Mill Creek Road (1407). Old Fort Picnic Area
is several miles on left and marked by National Forest Sign. Distance 7
miles, easy-moderate.
Hikers unfamiliar with local trails should acquire appropriate maps from the US
Forest Service. For more hiking information, contact our local US
Forest Service office at 828-652-2144. For information about the NC
Mountains to Sea Trail, visit the Friends
of the Mountains to Sea Trail website. For more hiking
opportunities, visit our waterfalls
page.
|
