Trails
One of western North Carolina's true treasures, and an asset worth preserving, the intricate system of trails hidden in the Blue Ridge mountains are truly something to experience. Hiking the historic "Mountains to the Sea Trail," cycling on the Blue Ridge Parkway, strolling along a path with a view of the Linville Falls -- there is something for everyone to enjoy.
Hiking | Waterfall Trails | Cycling
Hiking
Armstrong Creek
3640 Ft./6 mile trail. Primitive hiking on Armstrong Fish Hatchery Rd. Trail begins past hatchery parking lot. Easy -moderate.
Bad Fork
2940 Ft. /8 Miles. Primitive trail connects Woods Mountain & Armstrong Creek Trails. NC 226-A to Armstrong Fish Hatchery Rd. 3 miles to trail head on left. Moderate
Betsy Ridge
3160 Ft./9 Mile Trail. Black Mountains view, meets Little Buck Creek Trail ending at Woods Mountain Trail. US 221 North, left on Tom's Creek Road. Right onto first dirt road, head is second road on left. Easy -Moderate
Kitsuma Peak
Short hike, 20 minute trail. Breathtaking views and unusual Carolina hemlocks. Take I-40 west to Ridgecrest exit. Turn onto Old U.S. 70, road is blocked. Park at road end.
Lead Mine Gap
Mixed forest environment with long range views. Highway 70 to Curtis Creek Road, east of Old Fort. Trailhead approximately 8.5 miles. Trail ends at Hickory Branch Trail, after 2 miles trail rejoins Curtis Creek Road at lower point. 5 miles, moderate hike.
Little Buck Creek
Excellent views of Marion, Lake Tahoma and Black Mountain Range. From U.S. 70, west of Marion, turn right onto NC Highway 80, passing Lake Tahoma on right. Cross bridge over Buck Creek, turn right onto dirt road. Take left at first intersection and go 1.5 miles to trailhead (turnout with USFS sign and gate). Distance 5.8 miles, moderate to strenuous.
Mackey Mountain
This trail is located in a bear sanctuary. Take appropriate precautions on trail. Spectacular views. U.S. 70, east of Old Fort to Curtis Creek road, turning left. Trailhead is 9 miles at entrance of Sugar Cove Road. Distance 16 miles, moderate to strenuous hike.
Mountains to the Sea Trail
Two segments of this 700 mile route are in McDowell County. The Craggy Pinnacle segment follows the Blue Ridge Parkway from Asheville past Buck Creek Gap at NC 80 to Little Switzerland. The route includes a 14-mile steep downhill grade. The Brown Mountains Light segment continues on the Parkway to Linville Falls at the northern tip of McDowell County and onto the foothills area via NC 181. Route includes several gentle descents and easy climbs.
Newberry Creek
4300 Ft/5 Miles. Scenic trail ends at Blue Ridge Parkway. Take US 70 West to Curtis Creek turning right. Left at Newberry Creek Road (FS 482-A). Go 4 miles to end & trail head begins at end of road. Easy -moderate.
Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail
Historic trail covering four states and 300 miles runs through McDowell County between Lake James and the Blue Ridge Parkway. There are 57 accessible miles of trail. Begin on the Blue Ridge Parkway at the North Carolina Mineral Museum, Milepost 331. Trailhead begins across NC 226 from the parking lot. Head north on trail parallel to Parkway. Cross Parkway and follow dirt/gravel road past Orchard at Altapass to McKinney Gap. Cross under Parkway and enter wooded trail to Heffner Gap parking lot on Parkway. Go to www.nps.gov/ovvi for more trail information and access details.
Linville Gorge
3400 Ft. Eastern America's most scenic and rugged gorge. Take US 221/226 North to Linville Falls Community turning right onto NC 183. Travel to Wiseman's View Road, turn right to U.S. Forest Service Visitor Center. Multiple, strenuous trails. Trail maps available at visitor center.
Woodlawn Fitness Trail
Fitness trail consists of seven stations, 2 exercises per station on a 1/4 mile jogging path. Additional one mile loop surrounds exercise trail. Woodlawn Work Center is six miles north of Marion on U.S. 221. Trail is behind picnic area on left. 1.25 miles, easy to moderate.
Woods Mountain
Outstanding views of Black Mountain range, Little Switzerland and Armstrong Creek watershed areas with views of Table Rock from section of North Carolina's "Mountains to Sea" trail. Begins near Buck Creek Gap overlook at intersection of Blue Ridge Parkway and NC 80. Trail may be exited on U.S. 221 at U.S. Forest Service Area rest area near Woodlawn. 13 miles, moderate to strenuous.
Young's Ridge
Begins in Old Fort at picnic area. Incredible views of Kitsuma Peak at trail's end. U.S. 70, west of Old Fort onto Mill Creek, turn right. Old Fort Picnic Area is several miles on left and marked by National Forest Sign. 7 miles, easy to moderate.
Waterfall Hiking Trails
Catawba Falls
Headwaters of the Catawba River and protected by conservation easements, this 340-foot cascade includes an upper and lower falls with an upper 70-foot plunge. Exit I-40, #73, turn left, travel under interstate and take an immediate right turn. At fork, bear left onto Catawba River Road (behind McDonald's) and go 3 miles to road's end. Park on gravel shoulder on left. Trail begins across bridge and to right. Permission from landowner required to proceed to trail from Catawba River Road. Alternate routes are by permission only, Catawba Falls Campground on the same road or begin at the Ridgecrest Conference Center just off of I-40 West above Old Fort. Moderate hike to lower falls, strenuous hike to upper falls, 3 miles.
Hickory Branch Trail Falls
Views of 20-foot waterfall can be seen from this trail at U.S. Forest Service campground, Curtis Creek Recreation Area. Approximately 2 miles east of Old Fort take U.S. 70 to Curtis Creek Road, turn left. Go 4 miles to campground, trailhead is on edge of field to right of campground. 4 mile round trip, moderate.
Linville Falls
Most popular waterfall in the Blue Ridge Parkway with three tiered waterfall plunging into Linville Gorge. Exit Blue Ridge Parkway at Milepost 316.3. Falls trail distance 1.6 miles, easy; Gorge Trail is 1.4 miles and is strenuous; Plunge Basin Trail is 1 mile round trip and is a moderate hike.
Tom's Creek Falls
7 miles north of Marion on U.S. 221, turn left onto Huskins Branch Road, just before Woodlawn Motel. Go 1.5 miles and park on right at gravel lot before small bridge. Trailhead begins at lot. Trail will fork, follow left creek. Gentle falls in picturesque area. Fall height is approximately 100 feet. 2 mile, easy loop.
Cycling
Blue Ridge Parkway
Designated bike route providing challenging climbs, downhill plunges, gentle rides and breathtaking scenery. The parkway offers 470 miles of picturesque travel across North Carolina and Virginia. For more information contact the parkway office at 828-259-0701 or http://www.nps.gov/.
Mountains to the Sea Trail
Two segments of this 700 mile route are in McDowell County. The Craggy Pinnacle segment follows the Blue Ridge Parkway from Asheville past Buck Creek Gap at NC 80 to Little Switzerland. The route includes a 30 mile climb, gaining 3,000 feet in altitude and a 14 mile downhill ride. The Brown Mountain Lights segment continues on the Blue Ridge Parkway to Linville Falls at the northern tip of McDowell County and on into the foothills via NC 181. The route includes several gentle descents, easy climbs and a quick 15 mile downhill ride.
Lake James Road (NC 126)
Lake James Road is a designated bike route circling scenic Lake James. Portions are infrequently traveled by motorists. Lake James offers 150 miles of perimeter road and takes the rider through wooded areas with occasional views of the lake.
Old US 70
Gated to prevent access by motor vehicles, this unused stretch of highway passes through national forest lands and offers excellent views and quiet rides. Park in Old Fort and cycle west on US 70 then right onto Old US 70. Follow along Mill Creek until reaching a dead end sign. Continue past the gate. For the next 3.75 miles you will enjoy panoramic views from places like Point Lookout. For mountain bikers, turn right onto Old #10 onto a state maintained gravel road which makes an excellent return route to Old Fort.
Lake Tahoma Road (Hwy. 80)
Lake Tahoma Road was recently designated as a bike route, however, riders should be cautious. Lake Tahoma Road is a tough, steep climb heading north to the Parkway, but the return trip is a rapid descent down toward Marion.
Source: http://www.mcdowellnc.org/directory2.htm |
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