All Hiking Trails

All Hiking Trails

1. Pinnacle Park. 3-4 hrs, 6-7 mile strenuous unmarked trail, uphill on the way out, downhill on return, with a spectacular 270-degree view of Cullowhee, Webster and Sylva from the Pinnacacle (beware of sharp drop-off). From Sylva (Exit 85) Drive East on US 23/74 for 0.5 miles turn left on Steeple Road for 0.2 miles until dead-end at Old Asheville Highway. Turn left, continue for 0.6 miles, turn right on Fisher Creek Road. Continue 5 miles until dead-end at Park entrance. Hike straight up the trail behind the iron gate. Stay on main trail, and cross creek twice early on. After an hour or so, cross numerous feeder streams and pass cascading waterfall on left. 5-10 minutes after waterfall, take trail to left. Trail bears left again at a small clearing on Pinnacle Ridge leading out to overlook.

2. Waterrock Knob. 2.4 mile round trip. Fairly steep hike to 6,292 ft peak. Extraordinary view of the Smokies along trail and at summit. From Sylva (Exit 85) drive East on US 23/74 for 8.9 miiles, turn left, enter the Blue Ridge Parkway, proceed in direction of Great Smoky Mountain National Park, go 0.8 miles past Milepost 450, turn right into Waterrock Knob parking area. Trail begins at right rear corner of parking lot and is paved at start.

3. Mountains-to-Sea Trail. From Sylva (Exit 85) drive East on US 23/74 for 8.9 miles turn left enter the Blue Ridge Parkway, proceed in direction of Asheville. Trail parallels Blue Ridge Parkway, enter trail at small sign just East of the intersection of US 23/74 and Balsam View Drive near the Balsam Ranger Station or at numerous overlooks along Parkway.

4. Richland Balsam. 1.5 mile loop to 6,410 ft summit, highest in Balsam Mountains and among loftiest in eastern US. Cool, refreshing hike through a remnant spruce-fir forest. From Sylva (Exit 85) drive East on US 23/74 for 8.9 miles turn left enter the Blue Ridge Parkway, proceed in direction of Asheville. At Milepost 431 turn left into Haywood-Jackson parking overlook. (If traveling West on Blue Ridge Parkway, at Milepost 431 turn right into Haywood-Jackson parking overlook.) Trail begins at left rear corner of parking lot and is paved at start.

5. Devils Courthouse. 0.8 mi, round trip, paved but steep trail to top of rock promontory with spectacular panoramic view. From Sylva (Exit 85) drive East on US 23/74 for 8.9 miles, turn left enter the Blue Ridge Parkway, proceed in direction of Asheville. Drive 0.6 miles past Milepost 423, turn right into Devils Courthouse parking overlook. (If traveling West on Blue Ridge Parkway, drive 0.4 miles past Milepost 422, turn left into Devils Courthouse parking overlook.) Take sidewalk to the East along Parkway, and turn right into woods just before tunnel. Trail is paved at start.

6. Graveyard Fields. 0.3 mile easy trail to first waterfall or 2.3 mile roundtrip (easy to moderate) along stream to two waterfalls. From Sylva (Exit 85) drive East on US 23/74 for 8.9 miles turn left enter the Blue Ridge Parkway proceed in direction of Asheville. Drive 0.2 miles past Milepost 419, turn left into Graveyard Fields parking lot. Go past first stairway to mapboard at far end of parking lot in direction you were driving and descend second stairway. (If traveling West on Blue Ridge Parkway, drive 0.8 miles past Milepost 418, turn right into Graveyard Fields parking lot. Go to first stairway by mapboard and descend stairway.) Trail is paved at start.

7. Yellow Mountain. 4.8 mile steep ascents and descents, 3-5 hours, to old stone and wood fire tower at 5,127 foot elevation. Beautiful views and a diversity of plant life. From Cashiers (intersection of NC 107 and US 64), drive 7.3 miles West on US 64, turn right on Buck Creek, go 2.2 miles passing Chestnut Hill on right. Look for steep path on right with small wooden sign and steps leading to trail. park on left in gravel. If you pass Cole Mountain Circle you have gone too far.

8. Whiteside Mountain. Easy 2 mile loop along the Eastern Continental Divide to 4,930 ft and highest vertical drop (750 ft) in Eastern US. From Cashiers (intersection of NC 107 and US 64), drive 4.7 miles West on US 64, turn left on Whiteside Mountain Road (SR 1690) at brown "Whiteside Mountain Trail" sign. Continue 1.1 miles passing Wildcat Cliffs Country Club on right, turn left into gravel parking lot.

9. Three Trails at High Hampton Inn & Country Club (open to public). A. Rock Mountain Trail - 0.8 miles, 800 ft climb to 4,400 feet. B. Chimney Top Trail - 1.6 miles to 4,618 feet. C. Lake Trail - 1.5 miles around 35 acre Hampton Lake. From Cashiers (intersection of NC 107 and US 64), drive 1.8 miles South on NC 107, turn left into High Hampton entrance.

10. Bad Creek. 7 mile strenuous round trip in Ellicott Wilderness Area to a tranquil spot on the Chattooga River. From Cashiers (intersection of NC 107 and US 64), drive 7 miles South on NC 107, turn right on Bull Pen Road, a gravel road opposite an unmarked storage building. (If you pass the NC/SC State line, you have gone too far). Continue on Bull Pen Road for 2.7 miles. Park on right in gravel area (brown gate) just after Fowler Creek Bridge. Walk back over and slightly past bridge, trailhead is on opposite side of road from parking area.