Sitting on the border of north carolina and tennessee, max patch features 360 mountain range views and sits along the appalachian trail. Max patch mountain was once cleared for pasture land, leaving an expansive flat summit that now serves as the ideal location for a picnic hike, flying a kite, or laying in the sun surrounded by the great smoky mountains. Max patch trail hiking the appalachians near asheville, n. The max patch loop trail encircles the base connecting to the sr 1182 parking lot and the buckeye ridge trail 304. This dog friendly and family friendly hike is great for picnics, star gazing, and is accesible year round. It was the second year in a row that a conserving carolina trail has won this national award. Max patch to hot springs on the appalachian trail david. Good places to hike on the appalachian trail in north carolina.
From the parking area at max patch, the trail starts off going north. The appalachian trail follows the crest of the appalachians along the north carolina and tennessee state line. With little elevation gain and a short distance it is also very family and dog. Can be used to summit max patch over a much more difficult route. Lovers leap is a rock outcropping on the appalachian trail in hot springs that offers a spectacular panoramic view of the french broad river and pisgah national forest. I was thinking of a section hike max patch to hot springs, but timing wasnt good for me. Food, accommodation, etc according to a couple people i talked to hostel owners, hikers, etc, this area remains terribly busy until about midmay. Hike a section of the famous appalachian national scenic trail or a. Weed patch mountain trail info and map conserving carolina. Max patch is a bald mountain on the north carolina tennessee border in madison county, north carolina, and cocke county, tennessee.
Max patch hiking hot springs, nc blue ridge mountain life. Max patch is a 4,629foot tall bald mountain with an incredible 360degree mountain vista just 20 miles from hot springs. It is known for its 360degree views of the surrounding mountains, namely the bald mountains in. Hike profile the hike is a loop that tracks along a number of trails but primarily follows the appalachian trail and the. The trail is primarily used for hiking, camping, nature trips, and backpacking and is best used from march until november. Hike the appalachian trail at max patch, one of north carolina s most popular at hikes, on a grassy, bald mountain thats covered in wildflowers.
Highlights include max patch, roaring fork shelter. Max patch mountain via brown gap pisgah national forest, nc. There are two other view spots on the meadow on buckeye ridge that afford a great view of max patch from the base of the knob. The summit and surrounding area on max patch is the highlight of this hike. Max patch hot springs 2020 all you need to know before. Best hotels near max patch, hot springs, north carolina. In the 1920s, there was even a landing strip for airplanes offering thrill rides.
This is a steep forest trail with rock outcrops and tight switchbacks. In the 1800s, this area was cleared and used as pasture, creating the bald, and fortunately for us today, the amazing view. Welcome to north carolina appalachian trail conservancy. The trail rolls elevation through the shady forest, meandering through switchbacks, crossing several small creeks over rustic. These geospatial data and related maps or graphics are not legal documents and are not. National forests in north carolina max patch usda forest service. The carolina mountain club maintains the popular hiking area, max patch, a large grassy bald near the north carolina tennessee border. Did an overnight trip on this trail with our group camping at the top of max patch, beautiful hike especially after passing the tree line. The at and max patch trail continue straight climbing the mountain. The trails are all clearly marked and easy to follow. View max patch is a highland bald with a 360 degree view of western nc, the great smoky mountains, and eastern tennessee. The trail is primarily used for hiking, walking, and nature trips and is best used from april until october. This amazing area was cleared and used historically as a pasture for cattle and sheep back in the 1800s.
Max patch short loop running trail, marshall, north carolina. This is an incredible, relatively easy hike with the reward at the end being hot springs on the french broad river. Dogs are not permitted along the trail in the park. The appalachian trail crosses the summit of max patch, about 20 miles west of hot springs at mile 251. Catch a gorgeous sunrise, sunset or afternoon picnic on this moderate two mile loop with stunning 360degree views and seemingly endless sunshine. Max patch, appalachian trail, pisgah national forest, nc. In between the soaring mountains of the great smokies and the rolling hills of hot springs the a. See photos and hiking guide for max patch bald mountain along the appalachian trail near. Max patch short loop hiking trail, marshall, north carolina.
Hiking trails near max patch mountain hiking project. It was once forested, but legend has it that indians burned it, apparently for visibility. Since the famous appalachian trail at goes through the tiny town of hot springs, you can hike from the center of downtown for a very scenic 2mile loop. Mitchell on the east to the great smoky mountains on the south. Make a weekend trip from max patch to hot springs n.
Wildflowers bloom there in the spring and fantastic leaf color can be seen in the fall. In 2019, the national coalition for recreational trails honored weed patch mountain trail with its annual achievement award in the category of trail design and construction. If you hike north from max patch, hot springs is only a 20 mile hike away and has a lot of stuff for hikers. The adventure begins at the lemon gap trailhead on max patch road view maps and driving directions, following the whiteblazed appalachian trail southbound from the border of north carolina and tennessee. The appalachian trail crosses the top of the grassy bald. I started at brown gap on the state border and followed the. The at leaves the national park at davenport gap and the trail begins a succession of traveling over open balds with spectacular views including the wildly popular max patch. It is not easy to get to this trail over the bumpy forest service roads, but the trail is still quite popular. This particular loop branches just off of the appalachian trail at. Asheville trails map search asheville hiking trails. With spring wildflowers and fall leaf peeping, the max patch trail is an easyto moderate hike on the appalachian trail near asheville, n. This short 100 yard trail to the top brings you to a grand 360 degree view of nc, tn and mt. I know it may be boring to some, but helpful to most. Topo maps, latitude and longitude coordinates, and address for max patch mountain.
Nat geo 782 trails illustrated map find it at trailful outdoor co. Hike max patch mountain, max patch mountain trailhead. It is a major landmark along the tennessee north carolina section of the appalachian trail, although its summit is located in north carolina. We found that the trail was covered in anywhere between an inch or 2 of snow for the most part, and the streams were also mostly frozen. Max patch loop via appalachian trail closed north carolina. A short hike from the parking area takes you to the top. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash. The trail rolls elevation through the shady forest, meandering through switchbacks, crossing several small creeks over rustic wooden bridges, and. At an elevation of 4,629 feet, max patch boasts a 360degree view of the appalachian mountains including the blue ridge and the smokies. About 20 minutes to the top by the short trail, 2530 on the longer loop elevation gain.
Max patch and hot springs is a hiking adventure located in or near asheville, nc. The manmade meadow on top of the mountain was once home to large herds of grazing cattle. Lovers leap hike, hot springs, nc romanticasheville. Lemon gap to max patch hiking trail, marshall, north carolina. Max patch mountain via brown gap pisgah national forest. Hike the appalachian trail at max patch, one of north carolinas most popular. Trail conditions as of 07272019 dash camera video from start to finish. Max patch mountain part of the pisgah national forest is a bald mountain roughly equidistant from knoxville, tn and asheville, nc about a 1. Max patch mountain closed north carolina alltrails. The trail crosses a wide bridge over the french broad river, catching beautiful upstream views of the river in the shadow of the towering lovers leap summit directly ahead. Once we started descending from max patch a bit more, the wind began dying down, and as we warmed up a little, we began loosening up.
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