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Easy nature trail that showcases the beauty of venturing into the high peaks.


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Map Key

0.3

Miles

0.5

KM

Point to Point

5,665' 1,727 m

High

5,637' 1,718 m

Low

30' 9 m

Up

24' 7 m

Down

3%

Avg Grade (2°)

9%

Max Grade (5°)

Dogs Unknown

Features Birding · Wildflowers · Wildlife

Family Friendly A virtually flat trail that gives a taste of hiking in the high peaks

Clingmans Dome Access Road, the only access to the trail, is closed from December 1 - March 31.

Description

This is a very easy route with minimal elevation gains, which makes it perfect for hikers of all ability levels. As the name implies, the short trail loops through a forest of red spruce and Fraser firs that are found mainly in the high peaks. Although the trail is in great shape, proper close-toed comfortable footwear is recommended.

From the trailhead, follow the path to a fork and choose either direction. Certain parts of the trail will use wooden boardwalks to cross the wetter parts of the forest. This is a self-guiding nature trail with information posts located throughout the loop that give information to the different plant life. Large white quartz rocks also make appearances as you make your way through the trail.

You'll notice several downed trees which are the result of the Balsam woolly adelgids that starve the Fraser firs to death. Yellow birch, and blackberries can also be found here among other flora.

Flora & Fauna

Fraser firs, red spruce, yellow birch, mountain-ash, wildflowers, salamanders, winter wrens, and cedar waxwings can all be seen from this short loop.

Contacts

Shared By:

R Kahboohigh

Trail Ratings

  4.0 from 1 vote

#2

in Newfound Gap

#15966

Overall
  4.0 from 1 vote
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Trail Rankings

#2

in Newfound Gap

#303

in North Carolina

#15,966

Overall
16 Views Last Month
705 Since Sep 4, 2015
Easy Easy

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Weather


Current Trail Conditions

Unknown
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Check-Ins

Oct 1, 2022
Eliese Burrows
0.4mi — 0h 10m
Apr 21, 2021
Jodi K
Snow and 26 degrees! — 1h 45m
Jul 24, 2019
Ty Schave
Jun 6, 2019
Charles Piazza
Jun 27, 2018
Matthew Piotrowski
Sep 12, 2017
Bill Walters
Hiking from clingman to icewater shelter
Oct 24, 2016
Liz Jesse
Wonderful short interesting boarding walk and is always cool or cold and smells like Christmas!
Sep 9, 2016
Gus Johannsen
0.4mi
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