Pets allowed
Allowed with Restrictions
Elevation Gain
537.00 ft (163.68 m)
Trail type
There-and-back
Distance
1.00 mi (1.61 km)
Please respect the outdoors by practicing Leave No Trace. Learn more about how to apply the principles of Leave No Trace on your next outdoor adventure here.

Hidden outside of Gerton, North Carolina, Bearwallow Mountain is a hiking trail that is often missed by people visiting Asheville and the surrounding areas. The summit is a 4,242-foot peak that will leave you astonished. On a clear day you can see 100 miles. The Great Smoky Mountains, Mount Mitchell, and Chimney Rock are all visible from the top of this peaceful hike. Surround yourself in 300-year-old trees along a clearly marked and well-maintained trail.

Since 1937 the peak of Bearwallow has been host to a fire tower and an adjacent residence for attendants, and it was decommissioned in 1994. It is technically closed and entry is prohibited. Cattle actively graze at the summit of this hiking trail. No camping or fires are allowed.

Logistics + Planning

Preferable season(s)

Spring
Summer
Fall

Congestion

Low

Parking Pass

Not Required

Pros

Panoramic views. Well maintained trail. Historical significance. Old-growth forest.

Cons

Limited parking.

Trailhead Elevation

3,705.00 ft (1,129.28 m)

Features

Historically significant
Big vistas
Geologically significant

Location

Nearby Adventures

Blue Ridge Mountains, North Carolina
Blue Ridge Mountains, North Carolina
Southern Blue Ridge Mountains, North Carolina

Nearby Lodging + Camping

Comments

05/28/2017
Thanks to Outdoor Project for highlighting this great local hike! And thanks to Carolina Mountain Land Conservancy for conserving Bearwallow Mountain and for developing and making this beautiful trail accessible to all!
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