Hiking Trails in Buncombe County in the Western North Carolina Mountains

Visit Asheville in the Western North Carolina Mountain

Bear Pen Trail

Bear Pen Trail is blazed orange, and ascends quite steeply in sections with some switchbacks. It crosses several small streams including Staire Branch. It provides some nice views of Craggy Mountain to the southeast. The trail goes through woods typical in this area and emerges on Laurel Gap Trail.

Directions: From Burnsville, North Carolina go east on US 19E for .5 mile and turn right NC 197. Stay on NC 197 for about 25 miles. The road is paved, changes to gravel, and is paved once again. Turn left at the intersection of NC 197 and NC 2173 (Dillingham Rd) and follow this road (which becomes gravel). It will become Forest Road 74. Follow this gravel road for 5.4 miles to the trailhead on your left.

Douglas Falls Trail

From the trailhead, follow the white blazed trail which descends gently for .5 mile to the impressive Douglas Falls. The trail then turns left and steeply ascends the bank for several hundred feet to a primitive campground. Follow the white blazes to the right of this campground and continue along the trail that is well marked. Along this trail are impressive gigantic boulders, huge oak trees, and virgin stands of sugar maples and hemlocks. Cross cascade Falls at 1.8 miles (be careful here). The trail then begins to switchback near the top. It intersects with the Mountains to Sea Trail at 2.8 miles. Go left to Graybeard Mountain Overlook (1.3 miles). Go right to Craggy Mountain Visitor Center (1.0 mile), and continue to Craggy Mountain Picnic Area.

Directions: From Burnsville, North Carolina, go east on US 19E for .5 mile and turn right at the gas station onto NC 197. Stay on the road through Pensacola and Cane River Gap to Barnardsville (stay on NC 197 for about 25 miles) The road is paved changes to gravel and is paved once again. Turn left at the intersection of NC 197 and NC 2173 (Dillingham Rd) and follow this road, which becomes gravel. It becomes Forest Road 74. Follow this gravel road for 8.8 miles to the end of the road. The trailhead is straight ahead.

Elk Pen Trail

Cross Corner Rock Creek and follow this creek heading northeast. Eventually you will follow Little Andy Creek and cross it. This trail ascends and travels through some of the oldest, most beautiful stands of giant oak and poplar trees in this region. The trail has some switchbacks before it emerges on FR 74 directly opposite of Upper Corner Rock Trail. This trail may be used as a section of many possible loop trails in this area. It is not blazed. This trail was created for the movie Last of the Mohicans.

Directions: From Burnsville go east on US 19E for .5 mile and turn right at the gas station onto NC 197. Stay on this road through Pensacola and Cane River Gap to Barnardsville (stay on NC 197 for about 25 miles). The road is paved, changes to gravel, and is paved again. Turn left at the intersection of NC 197 and NC 2173 (Dillingham Rd) and follow this road which become gravel. It will become forest service road 74. Follow this gravel road for .6 mile to the pull off on your right. The trailhead is about 15 feet ahead to the right.

Explorer Loop Trail

Explorer Loop Trail is fairly easy, though it has one steep climb. You will cross a small stream, then begin a short, but steep, climb. The trail crosses Beaten Branch then drops to Bent Creek. Begin behind the gate to 479H and follow this grass road for about 0.5 mile before turning left into the woods. Be sure to follow the blazes, because there are not maintained trails that intersect this road. After 0.25 mile the trail turns sharply to the left then follows an easy grade through a nice hardwood forest. The trail again makes a sharp left turn as you parallel Bent Creek, and at times the trail is high above the creek. The remainder of the trail is fairly flat and wide and you will return to the gate where you began. Note: This trail is open seasonally to mountain bikes from October 15 to April 15. Blaze: Yellow

Directions: Access is from FS Road 479H. To reach 479H, follow the signs from NC 191 to Lake Powhatan Recreation Area. Just before the campground, FS Road 479 is on the right. Follow 479 to the second gated road on the left, which is 479H.

Laurel Gap Trail

Laurel Gap Trail is the former FR 5548 which is now grass. The trail goes through the Walker Ridge and Big Andy Ridge. It is very easy to follow and is perfectly suited for horse travel.

Directions: From Burnsville, North Carolina go east on US 19E for .5 mile and turn right at the gas station onto NC 197. Stay on this road for about 25 miles, through Pensacola and Cane River Gap to Barnardsville. The road is paved, changes to gravel, and is paved again. Turn left at the intersection of NC 197 and NC 2173 (Dillingham Rd) and follow this road, which becomes gravel. It will become FS Road 74. Follow this road for 7.7 miles to the trailhead on the left.

Little Andy Trail

Little Andy Trail is blazed in orange. The trail ascends quite steeply in sections with very few switchbacks. It follows a ridge above Little Andy Creek. The trail emerges on Laurel Gap Trail. This trail is designed as one of many possible loop trails in this area.

Shut-In Trail

Part of the Mountains-to-Sea Trail. In 16.3 miles, the trail climbs from an elevation of 2,025 feet to 5,000 feet. The ascent can be quite challenging. Except where the trail crosses the Parkway, it offers a quiet walk through beautiful a hardwood stand.

George Vanderbilt constructed this trail in the 1890s to reach his Buck Springs Hunting Lodge from the Biltmore House. Later, this route was converted to a hiking trail. Despite its proximity to the Parkway, this trail does not receive much use.
Blaze: White

Directions: One end of the trail begins near the French Broad River where the Blue Ridge Parkway exit ramp intersects NC Highway 191. There is a small, gravel parking area here. The other end is at the Buck Springs Overlook near the Pisgah Inn. There are many access points along the Blue Ridge Parkway. Wooden posts with a white hiker symbol mark these crossings.

Stair Creek Trail

Also known as Big Ivy, Coleman Boundary is a scenic high elevation area on the northwestern slopes of the Great Craggy Mountains below the Blue Ridge Parkway in Buncombe County. This area offers 16 miles of easy to challenging loop-riding opportunities on FR 74 and 5548 and short connecting trails. Some routes wind in and out of coves, others provide long-range vistas.

Directions: From Barnardsville, turn right onto State Road 2173 and go 5 miles to FR 74 at forest boundary. Park in pull offs.

Staire Creek Trail

Staire Creek Trail is designed as a section for many possible loop trails in this area. Staire Creek Trail is blazed in orange. Be sure to look for the huge granite boulders that are scattered throughout the enfolding woods. The trail ascends quite steeply in sections with some switchbacks. The trail goes through woods typical in this area and provides several nice views of the surrounding mountains. The trail emerges on Forest Service road 74, directly opposite Bear Pen Trail.

Directions: From Burnsville, North Carolina go east on US 19E for .5 mile and turn right at the gas station onto NC 197. Stay on this road through Pensacola and Cane River Gap to Barnardsville (stay on NC 197 for about 25 miles). The road is paved, changes to gravel, and is paved again. Turn left at the intersection of NC 197 and NC 2173 (Dillingham Rd) and follow this road, which become gravel. It will become Forest Service Road 74. Follow this gravel road for .4 mile to a road on the right. This road has a bulletin board visible from FR 74. Follow this road for .6 mile to a pull off on the right. The trail is about 50 feet up the road on the left.

Walker Creek Trail

Walker Creek Trail is designed as one of many possible loop trails in this area. It is blazed orange. Pass the well marked turn off for Staire Creek Trail on the right soon after you start hiking. Continue to the left. Be sure to look for the huge granite boulders scattered throughout the woods. The trail ascends quite steeply in sections, with some switchbacks. It follows a ridge above Walker Branch. The trail goes through woods typical in this area and provides several nice views of surrounding mountains.