The USDA Forest Service’s Grandfather Ranger District and its partners in McDowell County opened new trails and additional parking areas in Old Fort, North Carolina.
The 8 miles of trails provide new connections in the Old Fort Trail system, which has seen a major expansion since the groundbreaking of the Gateway Trails in 2022. In total, 20 of the planned 42 miles under the Old Fort Trail project are now open for hikers, bikers, and equestrians. The new trails include:
- Catawba View Trail (E5): This 1.5-mile loop trail adds a new beginner experience at the Gateway Trails. Built by Terra Tek Trails, this mountain biking and hiking trail offers a fun, flowy backcountry pump-track experience. Take a break at the bench and soak in the views down into the Catawba River valley and Old Fort.
- Deep Cove Trail (B1): This 3-mile trail connects to areas higher up on Jarrett Creek Road and is open to horses, mountain bikes, and hiking. Built by Nature Trails, the trail takes you in and out of deep mountain coves before dropping down to the Gateway Trailhead. Rhododendron tunnels and rocky terrain add to the enjoyment and challenge of this moderately difficult trail.
- Camp Rock Trail (B3): This 2.5-mile mid-country trail addition by Southern Taproot Trails climbs up Jerdon Mountain and then descends along a ridge back to the road. A large rock outcrop provides sweeping views of Heartbreak Ridge and down into the Camp Grier valley. Tie up your horse, lay down your bike, or rest your feet and enjoy the view.
- Jerdon Connector (B2): This short half-mile trail connects the end of Jerdon Mountain Road back to Jarrett Creek Road, creating an easy loop for horses, mountain bikes, and hiking.
- Stagecoach (A2): Connecting from the back of the Old Fort Picnic area at the bottom of Kitsuma, this half-mile hiking trail winds along Swannanoa Creek and up to the grassy Swannanoa Creek Road, a gated road that allows for a loop with the Point Lookout greenway. A Forest Service crew led the building of this trail, with many volunteer and partner trail workdays.
In addition to the new trails, alternate parking areas are now open at the Gateway Trailhead (new Meadows Parking) and at Camp Grier’s Allison Trailhead on Mill Creek Road.
The vision of the Old Fort Trails Project is to enhance the health and wellness of residents, stimulate the local economy through outdoor recreation, and foster community through shared spaces on public lands. The Forest Service is excited to invite folks back this summer to experience the trails.
Know before you go: While most trails are open, please use caution when recreating outdoors this summer. Information and an interactive map for trail conditions in the Grandfather Ranger District can be found at www.g5trailcollective.org/helene.
Map of Old Fort area trails, with new trails highlighted (E5, B1, B2, B3, A5). Cartography by Pisgah Map Company and Uproar Concept.
Read the full press release from May 30th, 2025.
