Weed Patch Mountain Trail

Dogs Leashed

Features Fall Colors · Views

This award-winning multi-use trail explores the rugged and mountainous terrain of the wilderness area of Buffalo Creek Park. The trail winds through old growth forest, passing by streams and climbing to several stunning viewpoints. Highlights along the trail include Trout Creek, Grey Rock, Flapjack Rock, Tunnel Trail (which offers climbing access), and Eagle Rock.

Another interesting feature of this trail is the evidence left behind from the Party Rock Fire of 2016. The fire occurred during the construction of the Weed Patch Mountain Trail and engulfed the entire length of the trail. You can still see charred trees and burnt rhododendron lining the trail, offering an interesting look into fire ecology and resilience.

Conserving Carolina partnered with the Town of Lake Lure to protect over 1,500 acres at Buffalo Creek Park—making it one of the largest local parks in North Carolina. Conserving Carolina protected this stunning tract of backcountry wilderness forever with a conservation easement and opened it to recreation for hikers and bikers alike. We designed and built the 8.6 mile trail to high standards of sustainability, in order to prevent erosion, minimize needs for future maintenance, and enhance people's experience on the trail. Our volunteer trail crews were instrumental in creating this state-of-the-art backcountry trail. The Weed Patch Mountain Trail is part of our vision for the 130-mile Hickory Nut Gorge State Trail network.

For more information on the Weed Patch Mountain Trail, visit the Conserving Carolina website.