A Beautifully Upgraded Hiking Trail

I am asked frequently for advice on places to hike in out beautiful area.  The above picture is the start of the Andrews Bald Trail that begins at the Clingmans Dome parking area, at the end of the Clingmans Dome Road.   The road begins at Newfound gap off Highway 441 which crosses the Great Smoky Mountain National Park.  The parking area is usually busy with visitors and tourists.  Most of the visitors take the short, but steep, half mile trail up to the observation tower that tops Clingmans Dome.  Fewer visitors, however, take the 1.8 mile trail to Andrews Bald.  Just a few years ago, this was a very rough trail that had eroded down to bedrock in many areas, and the footing was dicey at best.  The Friends of the Smokies, through the Trails Forever program, tackled the rebuilding of this trail in 2008.  The results of their efforts are amazing.  Steps were constructed of locust wood, and in many places, large flat granite stones.  The rough sections of the trail were transformed to boulevards.  I can’t walk on this trail now without admiring the wonderful work that was done in rebuilding this trail.  The trail is only 1.8 miles to Andrews Bald, but could be hiked by almost anyone in the family.  Soon after beginning the hike you usually leave the crowds behind in the parking lot.

Once you get to Andrews Bald, there are great views of the Smokies to the south and west.  Nature seems to be in the process of reforesting the bald.  Besides the grasses, rhododendron, mountain laurel and flamed azalea are now taking over the bald.  On my last hike to the bald I came upon a deer grazing.  Deer are common on the bald in early mornings and early evenings.  Andrews Bald is the ideal location to get away from all the city noise and just contemplate and enjoy nature.  (It’s a great place for a picnic lunch.)  Clingmans Dome Road is closed in the Winter and early Spring, so take advantage of the season and get hiking.

Living next to one of the great national parks is just one of the perks of living in Haywood County, NC.  Won’t you come join us?