Laurel River Trail

Trail Name Laurel River Trail Nearest City Hot Springs State North Carolina Trail Marking Yellow Blaze Trail Use/Features Difficulty Rating Medium Hiking Time 4 Hours0.25 Days <br />240 Min <br /> Trail Type In-and-Out Climb/Descent Elevation 240 Ft73.152 Meters <br /> / -240 Ft-73.152 Meters <br /> High Point 1640 Ft546.667 Yards <br />499.872 Meters <br /> Parking 35° 54' 48.96" N, 82° 45' 25.02" W Trailhead 35° 54' 44.64" N, 82° 45' 24.62" W Nearest Medical Hot Springs, NC Trip Reports Click Here Loading map... {"type":"ROADMAP","minzoom":false,"maxzoom":false,"types":["ROADMAP","SATELLITE","HYBRID","TERRAIN"],"mappingservice":"googlemaps3","width":"270px","height":"180px","centre":false,"title":"","label":"","icon":"","lines":[],"polygons":[],"circles":[],"rectangles":[],"copycoords":false,"static":false,"visitedicon":"","wmsoverlay":false,"zoom":8,"layers":[],"controls":["zoom"],"zoomstyle":"DEFAULT","typestyle":"DEFAULT","autoinfowindows":false,"resizable":false,"kmlrezoom":false,"poi":true,"cluster":false,"clustergridsize":60,"clustermaxzoom":20,"clusterzoomonclick":true,"clusteraveragecenter":true,"clusterminsize":2,"imageoverlays":[],"kml":[],"gkml":[],"searchmarkers":"","fullscreen":false,"scrollwheelzoom":false,"locations":[{"text":"","title":"","link":"","lat":35.913600000000002410160959698259830474853515625,"lon":-82.7569500000000033423930290155112743377685546875,"icon":""}]} Show Large Map

Trail Overview

Rails-to-trail conversion - walk along Big Laurel Creek on an old railroad bed previously used to carry logs to the sawmill in the former town of Runion on the French Broad River. Good place to see spring wildflowers.

How to get there

From Greeneville, TN:

1. Head south out of town on TN-107/TN-70.
2. Cross state line where highway becomes NC-208.
3. After just under six miles, turn right to stay on NC-208. Straight becomes NC-212.
4. After 3.5 miles, NC-208 intersects US-25/70.
5. Continue south for another 0.1 mile.
6. Parking along highway for a dozen vehicles.

Route Description

Laurel River Trail begins on a gravel road through private property. Hikers, bikers, and campers should stay on the trail to ensure the privacy of landowners along the route. After one mile, the trail enters the national forest and continues at a fairly level grade to the French Broad River. The trail is especially scenic in early spring when there are many wildflowers blooming along the path and riverbanks. Bikers will find the Laurel River Trail an easy ride, however, some short sections of the trail are a bit rocky and care should be taken when passing through these areas. Courtesy of the United States Department of Agriculture Forest Service.

Typical Conditions

Being a Rails-to-Trail, the path is gravel with sections of dirt, uneven rock, and tree roots. Sturdy shoes are strongly suggested, but not flip-flops. Brush along the trail might grow into the path. Four crossable blowdowns were experienced in November 2017.

Note that bears have been seen in the area, thus be aware and take appropriate actions if one is spotted.

Fees, Permits, etc.

No fees or permits are required - even for parking.

Lots of dogs were seen being taken for walks. ALL had leashes.

After the Hike

Head into Hot Springs (ten minutes away) for a meal. Iron Horse Station provided us with a good late lunch. There are also ice cream places for a treat.

Misc. Information

Pisgah NF Trail #310

Video about the trail can been viewed here: https://www.hdcarolina.com/episode/laurel-river-trail

Maps

Loading map...

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Photos

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  French Broad River

• 

  Active Railroad

• 

  Refurbished RR cars

• 

  Photo by Gerald