Explore the best rated trails in Cullowhee, NC, whether you're looking for an easy walking trail or a bike trail like the Little Tennessee River Greenway and Nantahala Bikeway . With more than 22 trails covering 91 miles you're bound to find a perfect trail for you. Click on any trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.
Paved and shady, but in winter moss on the pavement can make it slippery. Many tree roots make for a bumpy ride for bicycles or skates. If you like biking on pavement try the connecting Terrora circle and Old 441 that has light traffic and follows the river. Delightful even on a sunny winter day. .
Started at the Hendersonville visitor center and headed out. Fill your water bottles and use the restrooms at this really nice visitor center! Very well marked trail with lots of safe crossings for the roads! Super wide super smooth asphalt so no issues bypassing pedestrians and other cyclists! Rode all the way to the end and found a pumpkin patch! Since we were on our bikes, I only purchased five small ones for two dollars each! We also stopped by the farm stand trail side, and got some of the best Golden delicious apples we’ve ever had! Beautiful rail trail……kudos to Hendersonville because there were 1000 people using it on this stunning Saturday! It has a brewery, playground, coffeehouse, Quik Mart, all on the side of the trail if you need anything. We really enjoyed the countryside! A winner for a Saturday early Fall bike ride!
We walked the trail and it was rather shady and comfortable. The trail was very active to be so new. Loved the Ecusta Brewery and the Market Cafe experience. The trail takes you past Elijah Mtn Gem Mine which would be a fun stop for the littles. I only made it half way as it was dusk but look forward to my next visit. Once you get further north and a bit more rural it was nice to see LP patrolling the trail for safety and awareness.
Very nice trail, minimal parking, but meant more for walking. Very busy with walkers.
My wife and I found this to be a great trail to ride. Nice 17miles and beautiful.
The Townsend trail is all paved, wide enough for 2 bikes to pass each other. I take my dog in a trailer behind my ebike. The trail is on both sides of the road. The one on the right side is further away from the road and more hilly. The one on the left side has more road noise, once u get away from the river. It is the side with all the businesses on it so lots for driveway bumps. You can connect to the other side by 2 different bike tunnels so u don’t have to cross the road. We rode on a Thursday so traffic was so so but enough to make up want to ride the other side. Not a very interesting trail but nice enough.
Easy peasant ride. All paved on both sides of the road. Nice spots to stop, shop, eat and drink. Close to Cades Cove and entrance to Smoky Mountains. Worth the visit.
The bridge is out by patriot park so the trail is now only about .8 miles long, and it is not very well marked
The trail itself is a definite 5-star experience—beautiful, peaceful, and perfect for exploring with kids. The bridges and the walk along the river were serene and made for a fun adventure. However, I’m giving it 4 stars due to the parking situation. It was a bit tricky to find a spot, but once we figured it out and luckily found a quieter area near one of the less crowded trail entrances, the rest of the visit was fantastic.
I walked this trail yesterday, and it was one of the most magical experiences. I brought my dog along, and he was able to cool off with a dip in the water when he started to get too hot. I highly recommend this trail to anyone looking for a peaceful, paved, path shaded by trees, with beautiful views of the water.
I have ridden many rail trails across the US. One of the things that I look for are access to water, bathrooms and food. This trail has it all! Warm spring day - lots of people & dogs out enjoying the trail with happy smiles. There are areas of downed trees on either side of the trail from the Hurricane damage but it doesn’t affect the trail at all. It is paved asphalt so there are “root humps” here and there but nothing terrible. Gentle inclines and declines. I enjoyed my ride!
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