Download our PDF - North Carolina's Great Smoky Mountains

Backyard TrailsThese are literally geteways — portals thatlead you from an eternally connected worldthat still longs for a flying car into anotherworld that predates our capacity to imagineanything. Like roots of a tree, hundredsof trails permeate these here Smokies.From easy to strenuous, from short tolong, whether you’re on a bike, a horse oron foot, if you’re looking to disconnect fora bit, get away and feel just a little like apioneer must’ve felt exploring these woods,pick up a trail and take in our backyard.Below are just a few recommendationsfrom the US Forest Service. Thecoordinates correspond to the fold‐outmap inside the back cover.The Appalachian Trailto Charlie’s BunionF24 milestrailhead: Newfound Gap parkingarea. This 4-mile stretch offersspectacular views of the Smokies.The Appalachian Trailto Wesser BaldE52 milestrailhead: Wesser Gap. This scenicportion of the Appalachian Trail isperfect for day hikes.EasyModerateDifficultB Cyclingb Horsebackc FishingX ATVX Wheelchair AccessBartram TrailG737.7 milestrailhead: The trail enters NorthCarolina just south of Highlandsnear Rabun Bald and joins theAppalachian Trail at two points. Thetrail ends on Cheoah Bald.Big Indian Horse TrailF68 miles b ctrailhead: Big Indian Creek.The Standing Indian RecreationArea west of Franklin offers manyexcellent hiking trials and lies inclose proximity to the AppalachianTrail. The Big Indian Trail isdesignated for both horseback ridingand hiking, and there is a horse campclose by at Hurricane Creek.Big Snowbird TrailD412.7 miles ctrailhead: Big Snowbird Road.The first 4 miles are recommendedfor day hikes.Use the fold-out mapin the back to findyour new favorite trails.Fires Creek Area Trails C60.3–5.4 miles b ctrailhead: Fires Creek RecreationArea. Offers a number of excellenttrails, including a designatedhorseback trail and horse camp. CoverLoop is an easy 0.3-mile trail that ishandicap accessible. Other popularfoot trails include Leatherwood LoopTrail (0.7 mile), Leatherwood BranchAccess (3.5 miles) and Cover Trail,which follows Fires Creek forapproximately 5 miles.Jackrabbit Mountain Trail D72.5 miles ctrailhead: Jackrabbit RecreationArea. Trail offers an excellent view ofLake Chatuge and provides lakefishing access as well.Joyce Kilmer Memorial Trail C42 milestrailhead: Joyce Kilmer MemorialForest parking lot. Joyce KilmerForest, the last remnant of virginforest in the Southern Appalachians,offers a spectacular 2-mile loop trail.Mallonee Trail5 miles c Xtrailhead: Balsam LakeRecreation Area. TheMallonee Trail providesbarrier free access,with three wheelchairaccessiblefishingplatforms located alongthe trail.I5Maple SpringsObservation PointC4800 feet Xtrailhead: Maple SpringsObservation Area. Maple Springsoffers an unparalleled view of theSmokies, especially during the fallcolor season.Mountains-to-Sea TrailI48.75 miles B b Xtrailhead: Old Bald Ridge on theBlue Ridge Parkway. The Highland’sportion of North Carolina’sMountains-to-Sea Trail traversesbreathtaking stands of old-growthforest and plenty of wildlife.Whiteside Mountain Trail H72 milestrailhead: Whiteside Mountainparking area. The loop trail featuresa view of the highest vertical dropin the Eastern US at 750 feet. Sheerrock faces are popular for rockclimbing and rappelling.Yellow Mountain TrailH74.8 milestrailhead: Buck Creek Road(SR 1538). Traverse three ofHighland’s most scenic mountains.Beautiful views and a diversity ofplant life.28 29