www.RickStrohm.com
Rick & Rick Strohm, Jr.
I'm going to be writing this "post" to share some of the outdoor hiking trails that you can find right in our backyard - The Great Smoky Mountain National Park. To journey high above the fertile valleys you can hike, ride or bike, your way up to mountain ridges and get eye-to-eye with seemingly endless rows of mountains.
There are hundreds of miles of trails in the Smokies, including the mother of all trails - the Appalachian Trail. We get asked all the time, "Hey where are some of the best trails to hike in the area?" In response to that questions...you will find some of the most popular trails listed below:
- The Appalachian Trail to Charlie's Bunion - 4 miles - Moderate / Difficult
- Trailhead: Newfound Gap parking area. This 4-mile stretch offers spectacular views of the Smokies.
- The Appalachian Trail to Wesser Bald - 2 miles - Moderate
- Trailhead: Wesser Gap. This senic portion of the Appalachian trail is perfect for day hikes.
- Bartram Trail - 37.7 miles - Easy
- Trailhead: The trail enters North Carolina just south of Highlands near Rabun Bald and joins the Appalachian Trail at two points. The trail ends on Cheoah Bald.
- Big Indian Horse Trail - 8 miles - Moderate / Difficult / Horseback / Fishing
- Trailhead: Big Indian Creek. The Standing Indian Recreation Area west of Franklin offers many excellent hiking trails and lies in close proximity to the Appalachian Trail. The Big Indian Trail is designated for both horseback riding and hiking, and there is a horse camp close by at Hurricane Creek.
- Big Snowbird Trail - 12.7 miles - Difficult / Fishing
- Trailhead: Big Snowbird Road. The first 4 miles are recommended for day hikes.
- Fires Creek Area Trails - 0.3 to 5.4 miles - Easy / Moderate / Difficult / Horseback / Fishing
- Trailhead: Fires Creek Recreation Area. Offers a number of excellent trails, including a designated horseback trail and horse camp. Cover Loop is an easy 0.3-mile trail that is handicap accessible. Other popular foot trails include Leatherwood Loop Trail (0.7 mile), Leatherwood Branch Trail (3.5 miles) and Cover Trail, which follows Fires Creek for approximately 5 miles.
- Jackrabbit Mountain Trail - 2.5 miles - Easy / Fishing
- Trailhead: Jackrabbit Recreation Area. Trail offers an excellent view of Lake Chatuge and provides lake fishing access as well.
- Joyce Kilmer Memorial Trail - 2 miles - Easy
- Trailhead: Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest parking lot. Joyce Kilmer Forest, the last remnant of virgin forest in the Southern Appalachians, offers a spectacular 2-mile loop trail.
- Mallonee Trail - 5 miles - Easy / Fishing / Wheelchair Access
- Trailhead: Balsam Lake Recreation Area. The Mallonee Trail provides barrier free access, with three wheelchair-accessible fishing platforms located along the trail.
- Maple Springs Observation Point - 800 feet - Easy / Wheelchair Access
- Trailhead: Maple Springs Observation Area. Maple Springs offers an unparalleled view of the Smokies, especially during the fall color season.
- Mountains-to-Sea Trail - 8.75 miles - Difficult / Cycling / Horseback / ATV
- Trailhead: Old Bald Ridge on the Blue Ridge Parkway. The Highland's portion of North Carolina's Mountains-to-Sea Trail traverses breathtaking stands of old-growth forest and plenty of wildlife.
- Whiteside Mountain Trail - 2 miles - Moderate
- Trailhead: Whiteside Mountain parking area. The loop trail features a view of the highest vertical drop in the Eastern U.S. at 750 feet. Sheer rock faces are popular for rock climbing and rappelling.
- Yellow Montain Trail - 4.8 miles - Difficult
- Trailhead: Buck Creek Road (SR 1538). Traverse three of Highland's most scenic mountains. Beautiful views and a diversity of plant life.
If you want to know more...you know the drill...just contact me!
Rick, Jr.
