|
 |
 |
 |
|
Hiking and Walking Trails
 There is always something beautiful to see when you surround yourself with nature. After all, we are the center of it all, where the sun rises on the Smokies.
Haywood County is at the epicenter of some of the best hiking in the Eastern U.S. The county is home to thousands of acres of the Pisgah National Forest, which is laced with trails. On the northwest side of the county hunkers Great Smoky Mountains National Park and its extensive trail system. And on the southern boundary of the county is the Blue Ridge Parkway and its series of mostly short high-elevation hikes. Then there are two of the nation's best known long-distance trails, the Appalachian Trail and the Mountains to Sea Trail, both of which lop along the county's boundaries. Add to all that a host of other trails and Paths open to private use and you've got a lot of hiking to do.
Pisgah National Forest
Hikes in the Pisgah are generally mid to upper elevation hikes in the south end of the county. Many of these hikes can be used to tie into trails along the Blue Ridge Parkway or the Mountains to Sea Trail, which parallels the parkway along the county's southern border.
Major trail grouping can be found in the Middle Prong Wilderness, which is accessed from N.C 215, while a diverse group of trails can be found in the adjacent Shining Rock Wilderness, accessed from the parkway and U.S. 276. Shining Rock is home to classics such as Cold Mountain, East Fork, Shining Rock Gap and Black Balsam.
A third bunch of trails is in the north end of the county in an area known as Harmon Den.
Both of these areas have trails suitable for afternoon strolls or multi-day overnight trips.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
The roads through America's most popular national park are clogged with bumper to bumper tourist traffic nearly every day of the year. But take a short stroll down almost any of this park's 700-plus miles of hiking trails and you'll likely find you've got the place to yourself.
Park trails in Haywood County primarily leave from three trailheads: Big Creek, Poll's Gap and Cataloochee Valley. Numerous trails leave from other scattered trailheads in the county, however, and most of the trails are linked to each other, making for a truly extraordinary hiking opportunity.
Blue Ridge Parkway
The 469-mile scenic route climbs through some of its most spectacular terrain while in Haywood County. Trails leaving from parkway trailheads connect with the Mountains to Sea trail and trails in Pisgah National Forest. Other trails along the parkway are generally shorter, easier hikes or interpretive trails.
Mountains to Sea Trail
This cross-state trail starts high up in Great Smoky Mountains National Park and ends in the surf of the Outer Banks.
The trail follows a series of high points in Haywood County generally parallel to the Blue Ridge Parkway. Sections of this hike are excellent if you have a car or bike shuttle.
Appalachian Trail
The AT starts in Georgia and ends in Maine and crosses high ridges and mountains in the far northern end of Haywood County. A series of shelters are strung along the trail to serve thru-hikers. Hiking portions of the trail are possible using a car shuttle.
Western North Carolina's 25 Best Hikes
This pocket guide, available from visitors centers and around Waynesville, covers the best trails in Haywood County and the surrounding area. The $5 guide was culled from more than 60 local hikes newspaper reporter Jeff Schmerker has written about in the past three years for The Guide, a Waynesville-based weekly arts and entertainment publication.
Appalachian Trail in Harmon Den
The Appalachian Trail extends between Springer Mountain Georgia and Mount Katahdin in Maine. It is a 2,174-mile hike for those who dare to complete it. If you do, you will be known as a “2000 Miler”. If you complete the hike in a single season, you are a “thru-hiker”. If you take the hike in stretches you are known as a “section-hiker”.
North Carolina has 88 miles of the Trail, plus around 200 miles that wind between the mountains of North Carolina and Tennessee. Haywood County is home to part of the Trail, found in the Harmon Den wilderness area.
Those that want to see the trail, but not necessarily work for the title, can drive to Harmon Den and follow the signs to Max Patch. There is a short, but steep hike to the top. It is definitely worth it. Max Patch has one of the most spectacular views of the mountains. If you are there when the hikers come through, be prepared to take photos for them. Most have cameras and are sure to want to be photographed against this scenic backdrop.
The trail through Harmon Den will take you along the ridge for a few easy and beautiful walks. Wild turkey and pheasant, as well as deer and an occasional black bear can often be spotted, making Harmon Den very popular during the hunting season!
Walking Tours
Pigeon River Scenic Walking Trail
Take a mile and a half walk and follow the beautiful Pigeon River in Canton. The Path follows the river and includes benches along the way giving you a chance to relax and enjoy the surroundings or feed the ducks and geese that frequently swim by.
There is a boat access ramp for those wishing to canoe or fish. Occasionally you will find people tubing down the river as well.
The Rose Walk at Lake Junaluska
Arguably, the Rose Walk is the most beautiful stroll you and your family can make in Haywood County. This section of the Frances Asbury Trail centers you between thousands of breathtaking roses and a beautiful view of the Lake Junaluska.
The Frances Asbury Trail circles Lake Junaluska. Following the trail will take you past the roses through their spectacular butterfly garden and waterfall, and around the bend where you are down at the water's edge and can feed the wildlife.
Haywood Community College Arboretum
Haywood Community College Arboretum (83 acres) is an arboretum located across the campus of Haywood Community College.
The arboretum was laid out by Asheville landscape architect Doan Ogden for industrialist A. L. Freedlander, who donated the college's initial funding provided that the site's oak forest be preserved.
An early inventory recorded 880 trees including 22 native species, many averaging 100 years old. Since then the arboretum staff has added a further 87 species of trees, shrubs, and ground covers.
Arboretum features include a rhododendron garden (1 acre) containing 75 varieties of rhododendron, conifers, dahlia garden featuring over 250 varieties, fruit tree orchard, greenhouse, herb garden, rose garden, nature trail, and perennials.
185 Freedlander Drive
Clyde, North Carolina.
It is open daily without charge.
Mingo falls In Cherokee.
A great short hike to a spectacular waterfall.
Great for young children, it will hold their attention and wow them when they get there.
Ask at the Pioneer Village entrance to the Great Smoky Mountain National Park for directions- it is nearby at a private campground by the same name.
Reprinted with permission from the www.smokeymountains.net/ website of the Haywood TDA.
|
|
|
|
