Cloudland Trail

Pets must be restrained or on a leash at all times while in developed recreation areas.

Pisgah National Forest

Length: 1.2  miles
Rating: Easy

The trail terminates at a wooden overlook at Roan High Bluff which provides excellent views of Bald Mountain, Unaka Mountain, valley of Buladean, and the flatlands of Tennessee.

The Cloudland Trail follows the crest of Roan Mountain and runs through stands of red spruce, mountain ash, Fraser Fir, and purple rhododendron. This area receives abundant rainfall, so moss covers most of the tree trunks and surrounding ground.

Look for a side trail on the right after about .1 mile, which leads to an overlook. The trail passes adjacent to parking lot #2 and goes on to cross FS #130. Be sure to look for shrubs like sand myrtle and green Adler and also for several endangered wildflowers like Gray's Lily and mountain avens. Restroom and picnic facilities are available at the parking area.

Directions:

Take the Roan Mountain Rd (SR-1348) for 1.8 miles at jct. with NC-261 in Carvers Gap on the Tennessee-North Carolina state line.