Explore Western NC - view hand-curated trail maps and driving directions as well as detailed reviews and photos from hikers, campers and nature lovers like you.
reviewed 
The entrance gate at Weavers Bend Rd and Brush Creek Rd is now closed for the season as of Dec. 21st, according to a hand-made sign put up by the Forest Service. When I arrived yesterday, there were mountain bikers unpacking and getting ready to ride in, so I decided to walk the extra mileage to get to the trail head. The walk along Weavers Bend Rd was scenic with the river running alongside. I also decided to try an old forest service road to get to Chimney Rocks Trail without having to go all the way to the end of Weavers Bend Rd. Check my recording for details; it is clearly marked as a "trail" without a name on AllTrails. It is also unmarked at the start as well (no signage, just a few big boulders to keep motor vehicles out.) It was easy to follow this overgrown service road to get to the actual trail, but it would probably not be ideal in the summertime. I'm sure the bugs and snakes have a field day back there in the warmer months and it didn't shave off any time or elevation in the long run. Found this out by taking Chimney Rocks Trail all the way to the traditional end on the way out. Overall the trail can be a little narrow at times but the elevation was very steady and enjoyable. Views at the top of the ridge were gorgeous. Once I was able to take good pictures of the bend in the river with the islands and train tracks in view I went ahead and turned back. It gets dark early out here and I had to account for walking the road back out. Overall a lovely secluded day. Never did see those mountain bikers again.
Great trail, very well maintained. Great views at the top, well marked and easy to follow.
Great hike - going up is definitely worth it on the way down. Well marked trail and when you get to the top there a little sign that says Chimney Rock. It was a little more than 2.35 miles to get up according to my watch but the view is really pretty. Be aware of mountain bikers as well!
The app is wrong, it is 2.5 miles up meaning 5 miles round trip, not 4. Posting pictures of two signs showing this. It is 99% up hill, somehow missed that. Not much along the way, probably better in the spring but the top has a great view of the river and the mountains toward NC. We enjoyed it.
beautiful view once you get to the top. well worth the hike straight up the mountain.
11/13/20 - just delightful even on Friday the 13th of 2020
Road there is narrow, but well paved road then turns into a gravel road (watch out for potholes). The hike was moderately difficult. Uphill almost all the way, but not super steep. Lots of leaves on the ground. Great view at the top, just be sure to pack an extra layer since wind can cause it to be chilly.
Fantastic views, well maintained trail, not many other hikers.
Great trail! In my opinion, more on the difficult side of moderate. A pretty steep incline most of the way up, but WORTH IT! The view is spectacular.
Trail is very clean with some great views of French Broad River and Paint Rock. While the trail is up hill all the way out, it is only steep in the beginning. Beautiful fall day with temps in the upper 50's to low 60's. Very peaceful, only encountered one couple and a super nice guy on a mountain bike.
Such a lovely little trail. It actually feels like a trail as the path isn’t wide but it was clear the whole way up. I would rate this on the easier side of moderate. We had a heavy rain all day yesterday and while we could see the river was overflowing its banks below it wasn’t even muddy on this trail. The top has a lovely view but it isn’t exceptionally clear that you’re at the top. Three trails come together up there and that’s about it. Still, we only saw two people and it’s beautiful so it’s a win.
Views up top: 5 Trail: 3.5 Difficulty: 3.5 Solitude: 4.5 The trail is a 4 mile loop under canopy that winds uphill the entire trek to the horseshoe overlook. Trail itself is moderate due to fitness required but no views due to foliage. No one on the trail minus a horse. A hidden gem for sure.
Great trail! A steep climb at first, but the view is worth it!
It’s a very steady incline, but the end view is well worth it. Early spring or fall would’ve had less of an obstructed view as you climb. All in all a great hike in a peaceful valley.
It’s was nice. My wife and I had our daughter, at the time she was around 2. It was November 2018. We were in jeans and jackets. The hike got more rugged as you went up but the end view was amazing.
We were looking for a good workout and this trail was fine. Park at the marked trailhead, then turn left and go up, and more up. Some level relief occasionally before the next uphill parts. Great views of the river and although the weeds grow nearly over the trail underneath them is a packed dirk trail. A few ticks in the first quarter mile and a lot of poison ivy throughout but easily avoided. Did run into a 3’ copperhead in the trail but chased him off. No real ricks to climb and only a few roots—overall a nice trail and we made the 4.2 miles in 2 hours.
Nice! There's hardly any view the whole way up until it intersects with the other trail. And then the view is AMAZING! A little overgrown, but not bad.
Nice view 2.5 mile into it. 4 miles of road I paved on the way there. Avoid going during rain or bring an SUV or off-road vehicle. Our Honda worked great in dry conditions. Worth it.
Fun trail right over the NC/TN border. Awesome views of French Broad River, steady incline and some pretty meadows along the way. Most of trail was in the sun even in the forest so bring plenty of water!
Nice views and a pretty easy elevation change. Multi use trail so be prepared to share with bikes or horses.
Weather was great. Sunny,warm. Some parts of the trail were steep but most was moderate. For December it was a great day for a after Christmas hike. The French Broad was a little high and swift. We all had a great time.
