Bearwallow Mountain Trail is now open! However, road closures in Gerton on 74-A and the lower section of Bearwallow Mountain Rd are still in effect. Hikers should only access the trailhead from the Edneyville side of Bearwallow Mountain. The Hickory Nut Gorge is still in active recovery from Hurricane Helene. Also, road closures may delay emergency response. Show your consideration for the residents of this highly impacted area by respecting trail notices, staying off private property, and only traveling on roads that are open to the public. You can find routes that avoid the road closures in Google Maps.
Straddling the Eastern Continental Divide, Bearwallow Mountain has been a popular destination for local hikers long before its official trail designation, due to its short, easy hike and incredible panoramic views. Thanks to a conservation easement on the land and a beautiful new trail leading to the top, it was officially opened to the public for hiking in 2011.
The trail is 2-miles, out & back, with 575ft of elevation gain. The natural surface tread is beautiful, with well-built rock stairs and switch backs that climb the western ridge of the mountain to the summit. At the top, you may encounter the local bovine population! Bearwallow Mountain remains a working farm with a herd of cattle that like to graze in the meadow. Be aware of cowpies, and be sure to give our bovine friends plenty of space as you enjoy the views! Learn more on Conserving Carolina’s page: https://conservingcarolina.org/bearwallow-mountain/
See the table below for more information in comparison to what you might find on other trails in Rutherford County and Western NC:
Bearwallow Mountain is part of the newly designated Hickory Nut Gorge State Trail System, envisioned to be 100+ miles of interconnected trails. The trail shares a trailhead with the Trombatore Trail and connects to Wildcat Rock Trail at its peak, serving as a link for the 10-mile Upper Hickory Nut Gorge Trail loop. Read more about State Trail plans and see a map of the current and proposed trails here: https://conservingcarolina.org/hickory-nut-gorge-trail/
WHERE: 4854 Bearwallow Mountain Rd, Hendersonville, NC 28792
DIRECTIONS: The trail is located near the Gerton community in northeastern Henderson County. The trailhead is on Bearwallow Mountain Road. From Lake Lure/ChimneyRock, take US 64/74-A towards Bat Cave. At the 64 and 74-A split, continue straight on 74-A. Drive for 5 miles and turn left on Bearwallow Mountain Road. Drive two miles up a narrow gravel road to the trailhead. There is limited parking on either side of the road near the trailhead.
Keep your maps in a plastic bag to protect them from the rain and know how to use them. GPS units are great, but they are not substitutes for knowing how to use a map and compass.
