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A great loop combining the Fonta Flora Trail through the county park and the Fonta Flora/MST Connector in the gamelands.


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Map Key

6.9

Miles

11.0

KM

Loop

1,320' 402 m

High

1,203' 367 m

Low

427' 130 m

Up

426' 130 m

Down

2%

Avg Grade (1°)

14%

Max Grade (8°)

Dogs Unknown

Features Birding · Fall Colors · Lake · River/Creek · Views · Wildflowers · Wildlife

Overview

A great hike on the Fonta Flora State Trail through Fonta Flora County Park. You'll get some good views of Lake James along the route as you wind through a mixed pine and hardwood forest.

Description

Start at the trailhead at the intersection of Fish Hatchery Road and NC 126. From there, enter the Fonta Flora State Trail through the park for about 4.5 miles until your reach the Lake James Boat Launch.

Hike through the parking lot and head west on NC 126 for a half-mile to Wolf Pit Road. Turn right onto Wolf Pit Road and start looking for the Fonta Flora/MST Connector Trail crossing the road just under a quarter of a mile into this gravel section. Turn right onto the Fonta Flora/MST Connector Trail and follow it back to the trailhead and your car.

History & Background

This utilizes an expanded section of the Fonta Flora State Trail. The Fonta Flora Trail will soon stretch from Morganton to Asheville!

Contacts

Shared By:

Brandon Thrower

Trail Ratings

  4.6 from 8 votes

#1166

Overall
  4.6 from 8 votes
5 Star
63%
4 Star
38%
3 Star
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2 Star
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1 Star
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Recommended Route Rankings

#1,166

Overall
18 Views Last Month
15,379 Since Jul 24, 2017
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Photos

View up one of the coves towards the main part of Lake James
Sep 1, 2020 near Glen Al…, NC
View of Lake James and the mountains
Jul 30, 2018 near Glen Al…, NC
Beautiful covered bridge along the trail!
Sep 1, 2020 near Glen Al…, NC
Overlook on Fonta Flora Trail looking out over Lake James to Bald Knob and the Black Mountain Crest
Sep 27, 2017 near Glen Al…, NC
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Weather


Current Trail Conditions

All Clear 77 days ago
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Check-Ins

May 22, 2021
Michael Sander
Sep 13, 2019
C B
Good views of lake. Could run trail (very few roots & rocks in trail). Bikes use trail also. — 2h 05m
Jul 30, 2018
Jennifer Marquardt
Beautiful trail through dense forest & great views along Lake James. I didn't really like the .5mi of road walk. Must hike again! 7.1mi — 3h 14m
Jul 29, 2018
Erin Castle
9mi
Mar 26, 2018
Chris Cashwell
Dec 18, 2017
Hannah Slavin
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