Find the top rated birding trails in Waynesville, whether you're looking for an easy short birding trail or a long birding trail, you'll find what you're looking for. Click on a birding trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.
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.
My husband and I love this trail. We have done it a couple of times. Took my sister and her husband on it. They enjoyed too. It’s smooth and clean. We park in Easley and ride up to Pickens. We always stop in Pickens at a restaurant and eat. (So my sugar levels don’t go too low). Then we head back. Very nice and polite people on the trail.
This is a nice trail that runs beside and crosses over the river. Most of the trail is paved, but parts were not paved or were perhaps covered in sand and dirt. (Hence the 4-star rating.) I am unsure if it is always this way or a result of the recent Hurricane that passed this way. (Fall 2024).
I was impressed with the number of benches along the trail and the great signs helping us know where to go. One portion (in Franklin) runs through an unpaved parking lot behind some stores. At first, we were confused but then we saw a sign explaining where to go to get back to the trail.
Also in Franklin is a small "Women's History Park" with a statue and plaques explaining the park and the statue. It was worth the time to look and read.
There are also some cafes and restaurants in that area so you can enjoy a quick coffee or a more relaxed meal.
Being autumn, there was a lot of "tree debris" on sections of the path but overall this was a nice path that we hope to enjoy again.
This trail was beautiful and fun, but the hills made it pretty challenging. I had to get off my bike and walk quite a bit more than I’d hoped. I parked at Doodle Park in Easley, and managed to make it to Pickens and back! The bathrooms at both end were clean, and the trail wasn’t crowded. I went on a weekday morning though ¿.
The first .6 of a mile from the botanical gardens is very nice, being separate from the road, and a long a creek. The last .4 is slightly uphill and alongside the road. Of course there are several miles of trails in the botanical gardens too.
Just what I was looking for: easily accessible, thoughtfully designed and well maintained, beautifully picturesque in places! Just the right length to be a good workout if you do the whole thing or for smaller jaunts between the little parks in connects. This trail would be ideal for a group outing where the members are at different ages and abilities. Children and walkers could start at the Pet Park on 7th St., for example, and go north through the pretty, level, middle section that runs along the creek while the bicyclers cover the longer distance.
Nice Greenway connecting several parks. Much of it follows power lines. Not really scenic. Nice asphalt trail. Quiet. I wouldn't make a point of coming back.
Nice place to walk. Gross to include a medical corporation in the name though. Gives it such a negative energy.
I love this trail. It's not perfect, but I love the mix of rural, city, and the various spurs. In total, the trail may be 29 miles with the spurs, but from A to B on the main line, it's less than 16 miles from Greenville Tech to trail end in Travelers Rest. A fantastic length, just misleading to say it's more. The southern section connecting to Conestee Park is a different trail entirely (was a gravel road last I attempted it and didn't seem like a safe area), and shouldn't be included in the total. If the trails were to be connected somehow, not divided by miles of riding ON busy roads or dangerous out-of-shape sidewalks along an even busier road, perhaps then the 28-mile claim would be legitimate.
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