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Our third hike of 2026 will feature some transportation history in McDowell County. Old Fort was the westernmost end of the railroad. A stagecoach line provided the link to Ridgecrest and points west. After the Old Fort Loops were built, the rail link in Western North Carolina was complete. To help celebrate America 250 in McDowell County, we will talk about the stagecoach line and the building of the Old Fort Loops on this hike.
Our hike will begin at the Old Fort Picnic Area. We will begin on an often overlooked nature trail, then follow the Stagecoach Trail to the Point Lookout Trail. We will follow the Point Lookout Trail (paved trail) to a viewpoint of three tunnels on the railroad.
The trails are a mix of single track natural and paved surfaces. There are a few steep parts on the Stagecoach Trail, but overall this is a moderate hike covering approximately 5 or 6 miles.
This is an MTA Trails Passport hike so bring you passport to be
stamped. If you don't have a passport, you can get one at the hike.
Passport information is found on the McDowell Trails Association website - mcdowelltrails.org.
Meeting Place: The Old Fort Picnic Area on Old US Hwy 70 west of Old Fort.
Meeting Time: 9:00 am - Plan on a 3 hour hike
What to Bring: Water and snack
What to wear: Sturdy shoes, layers or jacket.
Hike Leader: Steve Pierce
Questions? Contact the MTA - [email protected]
