View from Bearwallow Mountain

The Bearwallow Mountain Trail offers a delightful journey through shaded woodlands before opening up to a vast, grassy summit. You'll navigate well-built rock steps and switchbacks on your way up, with the option to descend via a gravel service road for a slightly different experience. The real magic happens at the top, where nearly 360-degree views stretch across the Hickory Nut Gorge, revealing distant peaks like Mount Mitchell and Mount Pisgah, often shared with grazing cattle.

This easy 1.2-mile (1.9 km) hike involves a steady 573 feet (175 metres) of elevation gain, typically taking around 39 minutes to reach the top. It's a popular choice for families and dog owners, though dogs must be leashed due to the free-roaming cows. The trail is located about 19 miles from Asheville, making it a convenient and rewarding outing for a quick dose of mountain air and stunning scenery.

Bearwallow Mountain is part of a working farm, giving it a unique character with its friendly, free-range cows. The mountain is also protected by Conserving Carolina, ensuring its natural beauty and public access for years to come. It connects to the larger Hickory Nut Gorge State Trail System, including trails like the Trombatore Trail, offering options for longer hiking adventures if you're looking to explore further.

The Bearwallow Mountain Loop Trail offers a delightful journey through varied terrain to a spectacular summit. You can choose between a woodland path with switchbacks and rock steps or a more gradual gravel road, both leading to an open, grassy meadow at the top. Here, you'll be treated to nearly 360-degree panoramic views, often shared with grazing cows, stretching from Mount Mitchell to the Great Smoky Mountains.

This easy 2.1-mile (3.4 km) hike involves 559 feet (170 metres) of elevation gain and typically takes about 1 hour and 6 minutes. Be sure to check for current road closures, as storm damage has affected access, particularly from Gerton. It's currently recommended to approach the trailhead from the Edneyville side of Bearwallow Mountain.

Bearwallow Mountain is a unique destination, sitting on privately-owned land that functions as a working farm while generously allowing public access. It also serves as the initial segment of the developing Upper Hickory Nut Gorge Trail, connecting to other routes like the Trombatore Trail for those seeking longer adventures.

Hike the Wildcat Rock Trail for a moderate 4.2-mile journey with 1978 feet of elevation gain, featuring waterfalls and panoramic overlooks.