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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. Close to campground.
Notice: Traveling in the backcountry
can be hazardous. You are responsible for informing yourself about these hazards
and taking necessary precautions. Information on this web site comes from
volunteer reporters and may contain errors or omissions. A current guidebook and
proper equipment are essential for safe enjoyment of the hikes posted on this
site.
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..
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