Briar Bottom 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 runs up through a virgin hemlock stand following the South Toe River upstream.

The trail runs up through a virgin hemlock stand following the South Toe River upstream. Two stream crossings are over rustic bridges built of natural locust timbers designed to resemble old railroad trestles complemented with handrails.

The trail joins a loop road which goes around Briar Bottom Group Campground. Follow this road right back to the point from which you began.

Directions:

From Burnsville North Carolina travel east on US19E for about 4.3 miles to an access road to NC 80. Turn right (south) go for .6 miles and turn right again on NC 80 (south). Follow this road for 11.6 miles to the Mt. Mitchell Golf Course and turn right on FR 472.(A sign is at this turn for Black Mtn. campground). This road changes to gravel. After it changes to gravel, arrive at an intersection where you can go straight or take a right. Take a right on this road. Go to a parking lot on the left with a bulletin board with trail maps and information. You can park here and walk to the trailhead.