Hiking in the North Carolina Great Smoky Mountains of Jackson County

Yet another of the many great activities awaiting you when you plan your next trip to Jackson County and the North Carolina Mountains is a wide range of Great Smoky Mountain hiking opportunities. The area features elevation changes that range for 2,000 to 6,000 feet. The mountain hiking trails offer mountain scenery, wildflowers, and wildlife viewing for hikers of all experience levels.

Jackson County has over fifth well-maintained mountain hiking trails, including 675 miles of trails in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park alone. The famous Appalachian Trail, running 2,000 miles from Georgia to Maine, makes its pass through the North Carolina Mountains just north of the county. There are various guide services that are available for both day hikes and overnight pack trips in the area.

Balsam Area:

Waterrock Knob
2.4 mi. round trip

Fairly steep hike to 6,292 ft. peak. Extraordinary views of the Great Smokies from along the trail and at summit. Information center and rest rooms at parking area. Directions: From exit 85 off U.S. 23/74 in Sylva, drive east on U.S. 23/74 for 8.9 mi. then turn left, entering the Blue Ridge Parkway. Proceed along the Parkway in the direction of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, go 0.8 mi. past Parkway milepost 450, turn right into Waterrock Knob parking area. Trail begins at back corner of parking lot, and is paved at its start.

Mountains-to-Sea Trail

Part of a trail that will eventually stretch from Clingman's Dome in the Smokies to the Outer Banks of North Carolina. A lengthy piece of the trail follows the Blue Ridge parkway in Jackson County, and is accessible from the Balsam Ranger Station and from various overlooks along the Parkway.

Richland Balsam
1.5 mi. loop.

Nice walk to 6,410 ft. summit, highest in the Balsam Mountains and one of the loftiest in the eastern U.S. Cool, refreshing hike through a remnant spruce fir forest. Directions: From exit 85 off U.S. 23/74 in Sylva, drive east on U.S. 23/74 for 8.9 mi. then turn left, entering the Blue Ridge Parkway. Proceed in the direction of Asheville to milepost 431, then turn left into the Haywood-Jackson overlook parking lot. Trail begins at left corner of parking lot, and is paves at its start.

Devils's Courthouse
0.8 mi. round trip.

Paved but steep trail to top of rock promontory with spectacular panoramic view. Directions: From exit 85 off U.S. 23/74 in Sylva, drive east on U.S. 23/74 for 8.9 mi. then turn left, entering the Blue Ridge Parkway. Proceed in the direction of Asheville, go 0.4 mi. past milepost 422, then turn right into Devil's Courthouse parking overlook. Take sidewalk along parkway in the direction you were driving, then turn into the woods just before a tunnel.

Graveyard Fields
0.3 mi. trail to waterfall, or 2.3 mi. round trip along stream with two waterfalls.

Directions: From exit 85 off U.S. 23/74 in Sylva, drive east on U.S. 23/74 for 8.9 mi. then turn left, entering the Blue Ridge Parkway. Proceed in the direction of Asheville, and go 0.8 mi. past milepost 418, then turn left into the Graveyard Fields parking lot. Go to the map board at far end of the parking lot in the direction you were driving. Descend staircase. Trail is paved at its start.

Cashiers Area:

Yellow Mountain
4.8 mi., 3-5 hr. round trip

Steep ascents and descents to old stone and wood fire tower at 5,127 ft. elevation. Beautiful views and a diversity of plant life. Directions: From the intersection of N.C. 107 and U.S. 64 in Cashiers, drive west on U.S. 64 in the direction of Highlands. After 7.3 mi. on U.S. 64, turn right on Buck Creek Rd. Go 2.2 mi., passing Chestnut Hill on right. Look for steep path on right with small wooden sign and steps leading to the trail. Park on left in gravel. If you pass Cole Mountain Circle, you've gone too far.

Whiteside Mountain
2 mi. loop.

Easy to moderate hike to 4,940 ft. elev. along the eastern Continental Divide and along spectacular sheer cliffs which are the highest in the eastern U.S. Directions: From the intersection of N.C. 107 and U.S. 64 in Cashiers, drive west on U.S. 64 in the direction of Highlands. After 4.7 mi. on U.S. 64, turn left on Whiteside Mountain Rd. (SR 1690) at brown "Whiteside Mountain Trail" sign. Continue 1.1 mi., passing Wildcat Cliffs Country Club on right. Turn left into gravel parking lot.

Three Trails at High Hampton Inn and Country Club

Rock Mountain Trail
0.8 mi., 800 ft. climb to 4,400 ft. elevation.

Chimney Top Trail
1.6 mi. to 4,618 ft. elev.

Lake Trail
1.5 mi. around 35 acre Hampton Lake.

From the intersection of N.C. 107 and U.S. 64 in Cashiers, drive south on N.C. 107. After 1.8 mi., turn left into High Hampton entrance.

Bad Creek
7 mi. round trip.

Strenuous hike through Ellicott Rock Wilderness Area to a tranquil spot on the Chattooga River. From the intersection of N.C. 107 and U.S. 64 in Cashiers, drive south on N.C. 107. After 7 mi. on 107, turn right on Bull Pen Rd. (If you pass NC/SC state line, you've gone too far). Continue on Bull Pen Rd. for 2.7 mi. Park on right in gravel area (brown bate) just after the Fowler Creek Bridge. Walk back over and slightly past bridge, trailhead is on opposite side of road from parking area.

Raleigh News and Observer: The Search for the "Rock"

Panthertown Valley
(Multiple use area)

Hiking and mountain biking permitted year around, along with fishing in season. 6,700 acres of high mountain valley, sheer rock, waterfalls, quiet stream and diverse vegetation. Trails, from old logging roads to footpaths, criss-cross the area. Map of trails (recommended) available at the Visitor's Center in Sylva. Plan to take at least a half day to enjoy the valley. If biking, please stay on main trails. Tread lightly on vegetation -- some rare plants are found only here and are slow growers. Directions: >From the intersection of N.C. 107 and U.S. 64 in Cashiers, drive east on U.S. 64 in the direction of Brevard. After 2 mi., turn left on Cedar Creek Rd., continue for 2.3 mi., turn right on Breedlove Rd. (gravel, blacktop, gravel). Continue for 4 mi. (last 0.2 mi. can be rough) to Valley entrance.

Cullowhee Area:

Roy Taylor ATV Area
(Multiple use area)

Hiking, horseback riding and mountain biking permitted year-around. Motorcycles and ATVs permitted between March 16 and December 14. Thirteen trails varying from 0.5 mi. to 4 mi. with the most difficult having grades of up to 50%. Directions: From the intersection of Business 23 and N.C. 107 in Sylva, travel south on N.C. 107. Turn left on Old Cullowhee Rd. (SR 1002), continue for 2.7 mi., and, just before bridge, turn left on River Rd. (SR 1732). Continue 0.8 mi., then turn left on Wayehutta Rd. (SR 1731). Pavement ends after 3.3 mi., continue on gravel rd. for another 0.5 mi. to gate. Park here if gate is closed, or continue into parking area if gate is open.

Sylva Area:

Pinnacle Park
Three-5 hours, 6-7 miles.(Not for Children or the non-physically fit)

Unmarked round-trip hike almost all uphill on the way out and downhill on return, with a spectacular 270 degree view of Cullowhee, Webster and Sylva from the Pinnacle (beware of sharp drop-off). Directions: From Exit 85 off U.S. 23/74 in Sylva, drive east on U.S. 23/74 for 0.5 mi., turn left on Steeple Rd. for 0.2 mi. until dead and at Old Asheville Hwy., turn left, continue for 0.6 mi., turn right on Fisher Creek Rd., continue for 5 mi. until dead end at park entrance. Hike straight up trail behind iron gate. When trail forks, take left fork, continuing on main trail. Trail branches again about two-thirds of the way up. Take left fork again, bearing 90 degrees, and continue to a small plateau surrounded by trees. Trail turns left again, heading out Pinnacle Ridge.

Whittier/Cherokee Area:

Tsali Biking/Riding Trails
Four trails, varying from 6.5 to 11 mi.

Hikers can use all trails any day. Mountain biking and horseback riding alternate trails daily; check posting at trailheads. Directions: From exit 81 off U.S. 23/74 at Dillsboro, travel west on U.S. 74 for 23 mi., turn right on U.S. 28N. Continue for 3.5 mi. and turn right on gravel road at Nantahala National Forest sign "Tsali Campground and Fishing Access Area." Continue for 1.6 mi. to bikers parking area.