All year long during the Year of the Trail in North Carolina, we’re highlighting trails in our neck of the woods. April is a month of seasonal change – read on for some fantastic trails to get your spring nature fix.
LOOKOUT TRAIL IN MONTREAT
- 20 minutes from our B&B
- Part of a 20+ trail system in Montreat
- Moderate, 1.5 miles out-and-back
- Connects with other trails to make a longer hike
- Beautiful mountain views, especially in spring
More about Montreat’s trails plus downloadable map: montreat.org/visit/wilderness
THE BEAVER LAKE PERIMETER LOOP IN NORTH ASHEVILLE
- 30 minutes from our B&B
- Private 8-acre nature preserve, open to the public
- Easy and flat loop trail, under 2 miles
- Beautiful in the springtime
- Bonus: It has a bird sanctuary (hello spring migration!)
More about Beaver Lake: www.thelakeviewpark.org
More about Beaver Lake Bird Sanctuary: www.blueridgeaudubon.org/copy-of-beaver-lake-bird-sanctuary
ERWINS VIEW TRAIL AT LINVILLE FALLS
- 45 minutes from our B&B
- Located off the Blue Ridge Parkway near Milepost 316
- Part of the Linville River cutting through Linville Gorge
- Moderate hike, 1.6 miles roundtrip
- Overlooks provide different views of the falls
More details: ashevilletrails.com/blue-ridge-parkway/linville-falls-trail-linville-gorge
OLD FORT GATEWAY TRAIL SYSTEM’S FOUNDATION TRAIL
- 25 minutes from our B&B, in Old Fort
- Part of the Old Fort Gateway Trails system
- Easy trail, 1.2 miles one way
- Out-and-back or combine with other trails for a loop
- Excellent springtime hike – loads of mountain laurel!
Speaking of the Old Fort Gateway Trails, if you’re looking for a beautiful set of well made and well maintained trails that are on the easy end of the easy-to-strenuous spectrum, these six miles of trails are just a year old, part of the 42-mile Old Fort Trails Project managed by the G5 Trail Collective: g5trailcollective.org/gateway-trails
The trail system has out-and-back, connector trails and loop options and is multi-use so you may see hikers, families, people walking their dogs, mountain bikers and even horseback riders on some of the trails. There’s also a picnic area at the trailhead parking area to enjoy a snack or lunch before or after your hike. And this time of year, you’ll see lots of spring green and flowering native plants like mountain laurel.