Hiking/Walking
Take a leisurely walk around Lake Junaluska. Test your stamina with a strenuous climb to the top of Cold Mountain. Or try something a little more moderate, but equally rewarding. The wide range and high number of trails (from easy to difficult, from short to steep) in Haywood County and Western North Carolina render these mountains a hiker's paradise.
stroll through nature
Max Patch Mountain (4,629 feet): Exit 7 off Interstate 40; easy 300-foot climb. Beautiful grassy bald with great views. Hiking: follow U.S. Forest Service
trail to Max Patch Bald summit. Return via Appalachian Trail (right on AT) to road, or leave shuttle car at USFS parking area and continue driving on Max Patch Road for 3.6 miles to Lemon Gap on state line to park. Follow AT south for 6.0 miles to summit of Max Patch Mountain and down USFS trail to shuttle car.
Crabtree Bald (5,320 feet): Take N.C. 209 North six miles; take a right onto SR 1503 near Crabtree-Ironduff Old School; go two miles; turn left on Bald Creek Road (SR 1505); go 3.1 miles; park where Indian Branch crosses road. Croass pasture gate on left; walk up path to ridge line—identified by antenna on top of bald.
Graveyard Fields: Trail is located 4.5 miles north on the Blue Ridge Parkway from the junction of N.C. 215 at the Graveyard Fields overlook. This high-elevation, flat mountain valley is perhaps the most popular hiking destination in Western North Carolina—and certainly one of the most unique, The Yellowstone Prong of the Pigeon River flows throw Graveyard Fields, and the trail offers many opportunities to enjoy the waters, including three beautiful waterfalls.
Cataloochee Divide Trail (5,540 feet): Cove Creek Road off U.S. 276 North. Strenuous 14-mile, 1,500-foot climb to Hemphill Bald—an open pasture with beautiful vistas. You may opt to station shuttle car termination at Paul's Gap trail, reducing walking distance to 11.5 miles. Hiking: Take trail on left (SW); follow well-defined trail to Hemphill Bald (7 miles) or beyond.
These are just a few ideas. Remember, there are hundreds of trails and possible hikes in Haywood County, including Cold Mountain and the Appalachian Trail. Be sure to stop by one of our Visitors Centers on your arrival and pick up free maps and brochures listing suggested hikes.
Downtown Waynesville Cardio Trail: Walk the international way. Tour 6.2 miles of the downtown Waynesville area. A 10K walking route designated for international volksporting. For more information and map, visit Mast General Store or call 828-456-3517.
Richland Creek Walking Trail: Handicapped accessible fishing facility and the only designated catch and release stocked creek in Waynesville.
Pigeon River Scenic Walking Trail: This 1.5-mile walking trail is located along the beautiful Pigeon River in Canton. You'll find ducks and geese waiting anxiously for walkers to bring them snacks. The usual scene on the trail is of mothers pushing strollers, senior citizens sitting on the benches and walkers taking their daily strolls. Foot traffic on the trail is often continuous from morning to evening.
Lake Junaluska: Explore the 1,200-acre Methodist retreat just a short drive from Waynesville and Maggie Valley. A walking path lined with native flowers, plants and rose bushes winds around the picturesque lake.
trail to Max Patch Bald summit. Return via Appalachian Trail (right on AT) to road, or leave shuttle car at USFS parking area and continue driving on Max Patch Road for 3.6 miles to Lemon Gap on state line to park. Follow AT south for 6.0 miles to summit of Max Patch Mountain and down USFS trail to shuttle car.Crabtree Bald (5,320 feet): Take N.C. 209 North six miles; take a right onto SR 1503 near Crabtree-Ironduff Old School; go two miles; turn left on Bald Creek Road (SR 1505); go 3.1 miles; park where Indian Branch crosses road. Croass pasture gate on left; walk up path to ridge line—identified by antenna on top of bald.
Graveyard Fields: Trail is located 4.5 miles north on the Blue Ridge Parkway from the junction of N.C. 215 at the Graveyard Fields overlook. This high-elevation, flat mountain valley is perhaps the most popular hiking destination in Western North Carolina—and certainly one of the most unique, The Yellowstone Prong of the Pigeon River flows throw Graveyard Fields, and the trail offers many opportunities to enjoy the waters, including three beautiful waterfalls.
Cataloochee Divide Trail (5,540 feet): Cove Creek Road off U.S. 276 North. Strenuous 14-mile, 1,500-foot climb to Hemphill Bald—an open pasture with beautiful vistas. You may opt to station shuttle car termination at Paul's Gap trail, reducing walking distance to 11.5 miles. Hiking: Take trail on left (SW); follow well-defined trail to Hemphill Bald (7 miles) or beyond.
These are just a few ideas. Remember, there are hundreds of trails and possible hikes in Haywood County, including Cold Mountain and the Appalachian Trail. Be sure to stop by one of our Visitors Centers on your arrival and pick up free maps and brochures listing suggested hikes.walk this way
Downtown Waynesville Cardio Trail: Walk the international way. Tour 6.2 miles of the downtown Waynesville area. A 10K walking route designated for international volksporting. For more information and map, visit Mast General Store or call 828-456-3517.
Richland Creek Walking Trail: Handicapped accessible fishing facility and the only designated catch and release stocked creek in Waynesville.
Pigeon River Scenic Walking Trail: This 1.5-mile walking trail is located along the beautiful Pigeon River in Canton. You'll find ducks and geese waiting anxiously for walkers to bring them snacks. The usual scene on the trail is of mothers pushing strollers, senior citizens sitting on the benches and walkers taking their daily strolls. Foot traffic on the trail is often continuous from morning to evening.
Lake Junaluska: Explore the 1,200-acre Methodist retreat just a short drive from Waynesville and Maggie Valley. A walking path lined with native flowers, plants and rose bushes winds around the picturesque lake.
