The Christmount Trails
Nestled in 600 acres of protected land of the Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy, Christmount offers nine hiking trails from very easy to difficult.
This is a nature conservancy and it is important to preserve the environment by staying on the trail, do not pick or disturb flowers or fauna, and do not litter or smoke. County laws require dogs to be on a leash in public areas at all times.
Christmount asks that all hikers register at the Front Office before using the trail systems. Consider purchasing a Day Pass or a Season Pass to help us maintain the trails.
Old Cemetery Trail (yellow): 1/3 mile; relatively easy with some moderate ups and downs. The Old Cemetery trail begins and ends above the campfire site across the creek from the playground. The trail is shady and cool. On the left-hand side of the loop, you will see an old cemetery (hence the name of the trail) with about a dozen very old grave stones sticking up from the ground. A sign lists the names of those who are buried there.
Cascade Glen Trail (white): fi mile; medium difficulty; Cascade Glen branches off to the left near the Holly Road-end of the Lee Moore trail. The trail follows a stream until it ascends a steep hill via a zig-zag route. At the top of the climb, at the face of a cliff, a waterfall (during wet seasons) cascades down on the left. The trail turns to the right and dead-ends into the Glade Mountain Trail.
Lee Moore Trail (red): / mile; relatively easy; a short, steep section. The Lee Moore Trail starts at the end of the Holly Road extension (extends into a gravel driveway) with steps down to a stream-crossing wooden bridge. After a gradual ascent, the trail climbs to a short ridge where it intersects the Glade Mountain Trail. At that point, Lee Moore turns right along the ridge and climbs to another ridge. The trail then descends steeply to Sourwood Road.
Merry Lane Trail (purple): short, very easy. Merry Lane begins from Holly Road and ends on Holly Road, just below the Guest House. It runs alongside a trench made many years ago to carry water to the Guastavino wash house. There are a variety of trees and wildflowers along the trail.
Azalea Trail (green): % mile; mostly easy ups and downs with a very steep down-hill section. The Azalea Trail turns to the right off the Blue Ridge Trail. The last section of trail descends to and crosses a stream where it intersects an old road bed (turn right). The trail comes out onto Magnolia Rd.
Glade Mountain Trail (pink): 2/3 mile; very steep. The Glade Mountain Trail climbs 1000 feet, starting at the intersection of the Lee Moore Trail and ending at the microwave tower. The trail tops Oval Mountain then crosses Glade Mountain. It bears right along a ridge where it meets the Blue Ridge Trail at the microwave tower.
Rocky Knob Trail (orange): 1.5 miles; very steep up and down. Rocky Knob Trail begins its uphill climb from Fern Way Drive (behind the Guest House). It ascends to a meditation garden and a ridge where it offers a great vista of Black Mountain and the Craggy Mountain Range (views are better in the winter). The trail follows the ridge to the right (East) and then returns back down a steep trail that meets the old water shed road. Turning right on the road will soon take you back to Fern Way Drive.
Blue Ridge Trail (blue): moderate climb for the first half; steeper climb the second half. The trail begins at the end of Pine Grove Rd, following an old roadbed. It passes a stone chimney, the remains of an early settler’s cabin. The trail ascends to Big Deep Gap (3220’ elevation) where it turns left, following the Christmount boundary to a microwave tower. At the tower, the Blue Ridge Trail ends and the Glade Mountain trail begins. To return to Christmount, either descend on the Blue Ridge Trail or follow the Glade Mountain Trail. DO NOT follow the gravel service road; it leads away from Christmount.
Wildflower Cove Trail (gold): / mile; steep at the outset, then levels off. The Wildflower Cove Trail Wildflower Cove Trail branches to the left off the Blue Ridge Trail (above the turn-off to the Azalea Trail). The trail follows a mostly dry creek bed up to a cliff-face where it turns right, rejoining the Blue Ridge Trail higher up. Trillium are the most prolific wildflowers on this trail. They bloom at the end of April or beginning of May. Please do not pick these or any other wildflowers at Christmount.
Hiking Near Black Mountain, NC
Black Mountain is perfect for setting your inner explorer free and taking in the scenic beauty that is surrounded by mountains and laced with trails.
Some of our favorite places are:
DuPont State Forest Waterfalls
Enjoy three waterfalls on a three-mile hike in DuPont State Recreational Forest, with Hooker, Triple and High Falls. There are 6 waterfalls and 3 lakes in total. You may see some familiar sites from the Hunger Games movie release in 2012 while you are at Hooker and Triple Falls.
(closed until spring 2024 for improvements) Moderate hike along the scenic Catawba River for a 4 mile round trip hike to the beautiful 100ft cascading waterfall! You will see a few historic buildings scattered along the trail, remnants of the 1920’s hydropower dam that provided power for the town of Old Fort. This hike does require several stream crossings, so come prepared with solid foot gear to prevent from slipping and getting wet!
Mount Mitchell State Park was the genesis of North Carolina’s state parks system in 1915. At 6,684 feet, Mount Mitchell is the highest point east of the Mississippi River, and an observation deck provides breathtaking mountain views on a clear day. Mount Mitchell State Park is home to several trails from easy to strenuous and from .5 mile to over 22 miles (one way).
Most favorited are:
- Mountains-to-Sea State Trail in the Black Mountains 22.9 miles one way
- Black Mountain Crest Trail 11.3 miles one way
- Mount Mitchell Trail 5.6 miles one way
- Old Mitchell Trail 2 miles one way
- Balsam Nature Loop / K.I.P. Track Trail .7-mile loop
- Camp Alice Trail .5-mile one way
Located on the edge of the Hickory Nut Gorge, around the monolithic rock formation which gives the area its name. The hike to the top of Chimney Rock is 3.9 miles round trip and provides amazing views of the surrounding mountains. This loop is the most strenuous trail in the park as the trail is steep, narrow it does not accommodate strollers. There are other trails in the park and the 0.6 mi Great Woodland Adventure trail has a natural surface with gentle climbs and is also perfect for kids.
Think mile-high peaks, cascading waterfalls, and heavily forested slopes. Comprised of over 500,000 acres, the Pisgah is primarily a hardwood forest with whitewater rivers, waterfalls and hundreds of miles of trails. This national forest is home of the first tract of land purchased under the Weeks Act of 1911 which led to the creation of the national forests in the eastern United States.
All Trails has a list of 54 trails that ,are marked as easier for the whole family to enjoy the park. Trails range up to 8,559 feet in elevation gain so if your feeling more adventurous you are covered!
If you prefer to explore nature from the comfort of your car, Black Mountain’s is just a short drive to the Blue Ridge Parkway makes sightseeing easy and fun for all ages and the views are simply breathtaking.
Favorite places along the Blue Ridge Parkway:
- Black Mountains Overlook — Milepost 342.2: The Black Mountains include six of the ten tallest mountains on the East Coast, including the tallest, Mount Mitchell, at 6,684 feet
- Craggy Gardens — Milepost 364.4: Breathtaking views await you here at elevation 5,640 feet. Craggy Gardens is home to a National Park Service visitor center, shop and restroom facilities.
- Mount Mitchell — Milepost 355.4: Explore the tallest mountain east of the Mississippi River. You can drive nearly all the way to the summit. From the parking area it is just a half-mile hike to reach the observation deck and enjoy the long-range mountain views. Mount Mitchell also has a museum, gift shop, restaurant (open during spring to fall) and restrooms.
- Folk Art Center — Milepost 382: This popular stop on the Parkway offers you the opportunity to view and purchase some of the region’s best arts and crafts. The Folk Art Center hosts craft demonstrations and events throughout the year.
- Blue Ridge Parkway Visitor Center — Milepost 382: Pick up maps, learn about the entire 469 miles and history of the Parkway. Interactive exhibits and souvenirs also available.
- Mount Pisgah – Milepost 407.6: See Asheville’s most iconic peak up close and personal. The Pisgah Inn located at 408.6 has a full service restaurant, lodging, gift shop and country store. Panoramic views from their observation deck make a great backdrop for capturing memories.
- Graveyard Fields — Milepost 417: This area, named for its unique landscape, and haunting skeletons of ancient trees, offers relatively easy hiking trails to access to two waterfalls.
- Devil’s Courthouse — Milepost 422.4: A prominent landmark and home of a legend on the Blue Ridge Parkway. The Devil’s Courthouse presides over some of the most stunning views in the Blue Ridge Mountains. From the top of Devil’s Courthouse at 5,720 feet, visitors can see into South Carolina, Georgia, and Tennessee in a 360-degree panorama. Devil’s Courthouse is said to have received its name because, as legend holds, the devil held court in the cave that lies beneath the rock. In Cherokee lore, this cave is the private dancing chamber and dwelling place of the slant-eyed giant, Judaculla.
What are some of your all-time favorite hikes in the area? Feel free to share them with us at thecarolianmountainlife@gmail.com— we would love to hear from you!
