Bald Mountain Lake, NC

Hiking Guide to Bald Mountain NC

Bald Mountain, NC is a favorite destination of many outdoor enthusiasts. The mountains are home to Mt. Mitchell, the highest point in the Eastern United States, as well as Mt. Craig, a companion peak. The area also has many hiking trails and is a popular destination for families.

Carver’s Gap parking area

Carver’s Gap parking area is a good starting point for a day hike. The park is open from Memorial Day weekend through September and offers three hikes. From the parking area, you can take a 0.3-mile loop or a longer figure-eight hike.

The Appalachian Trail runs through the park, and from the Carver’s Gap parking area, you can take the Grassy Ridge Bald trail. From the parking area, you can hike the ridge and enjoy some of the best views in North Carolina and Tennessee.

During the peak of the summer months, hikers can enjoy a breathtaking sunrise or sunset at Carver’s Gap. Parking at Carvers Gap is free. However, the summit parking area will cost $3 per vehicle. Visiting Carvers Gap is a popular activity, and the parking area is often crowded.

From Asheville, take I-26 West. After a few miles, turn left and follow the signs for Carver’s Gap. You will find the trailhead parking area on the right side of the road. The road is about 12 miles long. The park offers a seasonal pool, a farmstead, and camping sites. The temperature can vary by up to 20 degrees, and it can be windy on the balds.

The Cloudland Trail is a 2.4 mile round trip. It begins from the end of the parking area and goes through a good spruce forest. At the top, you will find Round Bald, which is about 3/4 mile away. It is a great spot to enjoy a picnic and a good book.

Carver’s Gap is also home to the Appalachian Trail. Located in the heart of the Roan Mountain area, this trail offers some of the best views and most challenging hikes. The trail climbs moderately for 3/4 mile to Round Bald, the best example of a grassy bald environment in the Appalachians.

Sams Gap parking area

Sams Gap is an easy parking area to access from Mars Hill. The area is a three-mile drive from Interstate 26. Take Exit 3 at Wolf Laurel and then follow the signs for Sams Gap. The parking area is just before the overpass. You can park your car and start your hike on the AT. Big Bald Mountain can be seen in the distance.

Hiking in the Pisgah National Forest is a great way to get outdoors in the area. You can choose to hike the popular Big Bald Trail, which is 6.5 miles long and 13 miles round trip. The path features different terrain, with steep sections and gentle incline sections.

To access Big Bald, hikers should start at Sams Gap. The parking area is easily accessible and has enough room for about 12 cars. From the top, you can enjoy 360-degree views of the Appalachian Mountains. Big Bald is the highest peak along the Appalachian Trail for 148 miles. Although the mountain is dwarfed by the Black Mountains to the south, the route offers spectacular views of the Great Smoky Mountains and Roan Highlands.

Carver’s Gap trailhead

If you’re looking for a great hike, Carver’s Gap trailhead in Bald Mountain, NC, is an excellent choice. It’s located along the Appalachian Trail, which crosses the border between Tennessee and North Carolina and heads through the Roan Mountain Balds. This area is wide and open, with amazing views. However, you will encounter rocky terrain.

From the Carvers Gap trailhead, you’ll follow the Appalachian Trail, which arcs northward. The path starts out on a well-maintained gravel trail that climbs through rhododendron. After a half-mile, you’ll enter a grove of balsam fir, which you’ll continue to climb through. Eventually, the path exits the forest canopy, and you’ll reach Round Bald’s grassy landscape.

Carvers Gap is also accessible from nearby Roan Mountain State Park. This park features 12 miles of hiking trails and a historic farmstead. It’s also popular for its spectacular sunrises and sunsets. If you’re planning to hike to Carvers Gap, consider parking your car somewhere else near the trailhead. This way, you can avoid getting stuck in traffic.

After reaching Carver’s Gap, you’ll be near the Appalachian Trail, which officially runs along US 19 East. This 14-mile stretch is high above sea level and includes five balds with 360-degree views. It’s not a weekend hike, though, and includes three steep climbs. Once you reach the top, you’ll find a long, fast downhill to 19 East.

The balds are not the only mountains in the area. The Roan Highlands include Round Bald, which is 5,825 feet tall. You’ll also find Roan High Knob, Grassy Ridge Bald, and Jane Bald. Despite the small size, Round Bald is located in the Roan Highlands, at the top of bald mountain. From there, you can view Grandfather Mountain.

Hemphill Bald

If you’re looking for a challenging hike, Hemphill Bald, NC is a great destination. At about four hundred feet in elevation, the summit of this grassy knoll is accessible via a trail from the Cataloochee Ranch. The trail starts out gently, but gains in elevation quickly as it follows the southern border of the park. The trail then parallels the fence line of Cataloochee Ranch, with occasional views of the Heintooga Ridge in the distance.

The trailhead is near Balsam Mountain road, at Polls Gap. It is an out and back hike that is just shy of 10 miles. The trail is easy to follow, but be prepared to encounter some rough patches and overgrowth. The trail starts out as a smooth forest road, and eventually begins to climb steeply.

Another option for hiking in the area is the Hemphill Bald Trail. It is 8.4 miles long and features great views of the Smokies. It also boasts campsites near rushing streams. Taking the Hemphill Bald Trail is an excellent way to see the area. You will also find solitude and peaceful surroundings.

This hike is a popular day-hiking destination. The trail generally hugs the perimeter of the Great Smoky Mountains national park. The out-and-back trail is a rewarding experience. The hike begins from the parking lot near the park entrance. The ridge hugs the boundary of the park, providing stunning views along the way.

Bearwallow Mountain

If you’re looking for a quick and easy hike in the mountains, look no further than Bearwallow Mountain in North Carolina. This hiking trail is less than 30 minutes from Asheville and is accessible by car. Take US 74 East to Gerton, NC, and exit onto Bearwallow Mountain Road. The road is steep and switchback-y for about ten miles, but is well-signed.

The trail starts in Gerton, NC from US Hwy 64 and US Hwy 74-A. After you’ve turned left, drive through a small hamlet called Bat Cave to get to Bearwallow Mountain Road. From here, the road becomes gravel and quite steep. It’s best to avoid this road in adverse weather, and to bring a 4-wheel drive if possible. The road leads to a parking lot at the summit.

The trail starts in the dense forest and gradually climbs to the summit. It’s mostly shaded, but there are a few switchbacks, so be sure to stay hydrated. This is a great family hike, but remember to watch out for poison ivy!

The trail to Bearwallow Mountain starts behind an old metal gate near the Bearwallow Mountain Road parking area. It climbs 537 feet and features a historic fire tower at the summit. The tower served as a lookout until the mid-1990s. Hikers can’t climb the fire tower, which is now closed to the public.

If you’re looking for a hiking trail in the mountains near Asheville, look no further than Bearwallow Mountain in North Carolina. It’s a short drive from downtown Asheville. You’ll find plenty of parking along the roadside. Be aware, however, that the trail can become crowded at times.