Bearwallow Mountain , One s most visited park near Asheville, is back open to the public after being closed since September 2024, when Hurricane Helene caused severe damage to roads, access roads and communities in the western part of the state.
The reopening, announced by Conserving Carolina, allows hikers to return to an iconic location, albeit under restricted access conditions and with safety warnings.
“Access to the Bearwallow Mountain Trail is only available from the Edneyville side,” the organization said.
This rural Henderson County community, east of Asheville, is currently the only route open, as routes through Gerton, including Highway 74-A and the lower section of Bearwallow Mountain Road, remain closed.
“The Hickory Nut Gorge region remains a very active hurricane recovery area,” Conserving Carolina added in its advisory.
Progress in reopening natural spaces after the hurricane
Located at 4,232 feet above sea level, Bearwallow Mountain offers a short but scenic hike, with open views toward Mt. Mitchell, Mt. Pisgah, Hendersonville, Hickory Nut Gorge, and the South Carolina highlands.
Its open summit, a meadow where cows graze, allows you to observe sunsets, starry skies, and wildflowers, without requiring a technical hike.
For years, Bearwallow has been a favorite half-day hike in the western part of the state, partly due to its proximity to Asheville and partly due to its scenic beauty. Its reopening, albeit partial, represents an important step in restoring public access to protected natural spaces.
“The reopening of Bearwallow is significant not only for its beauty, but because it symbolizes the shared effort to protect public access on private lands,” explained Conserving Carolina. The organization notes that the trail exists thanks to an agreement with the Lyda family, the landowners.
That agreement is called conservation easement and is a legal contract between an environmental organization and the landowner.
In this case, the family that owns the property decided to protect the mountain from development and allow the public to use the trail for recreational purposes, free of charge and safely, while continuing to operate the property as a grazing land.
Courtesy: Conserving Carolina.
Related: What precautions to take this summer on western North Carolina rivers affected by Helene
How to access and what to consider
The trail begins at Bearwallow Gap, where Bearwallow Mountain Road transitions from paved to gravel. There is a small hillside parking area, a rusty metal fence, and an informational kiosk. The trailhead is well marked, with a series of log stairs and visible signs.
The hike is about a mile to the summit, and you can return along the same trail or a gravel road that forms a short loop. The ascent is moderate and accessible for most people.
Conserving Carolina asks visitors to follow certain basic rules:
- Do not leave the trail or cross private property.
- Keep pets on a leash and under control.
- Do not leave trash or organic waste. “This includes dog feces. Bag it and take it with you,” the notice states.
- Camping, campfires, and commercial activities are not permitted without prior permission.
- “Hik at your own risk,” the organization warns, noting that emergency services may take a while to arrive due to road closures.
More trails open in Hickory Nut Gorge
Conserving Carolina reported that in addition to Bearwallow Mountain, there are three other trails currently open to the public: Strawberry Gap, Trombatore Trail y Youngs Mountain TrailAll are part of the Hickory Nut Gorge Trail System and traverse lands protected by conservation easements.
One of the newer trails connects the Bearwallow Trail to the Wildcat Rock Trail, enabling a six-mile linear hike using a vehicle shuttle. Starting from Bearwallow, most of the hike is downhill. Starting at Wildcat Rock, the trail is challenging and uphill.
These trails are part of the system Upper Hickory Nut Gorge Trail, which already has more than 16 miles of open trails and plans to expand to 20 miles as part of the future Hickory Nut Gorge State Trail.
Conservation, history and recovery
Since 2009, Conserving Carolina has protected more than 470 acres in the Bearwallow area, partly through agreements with the Lyda family, and partly through expansion into nearby mountains like Little Bearwallow.
This work has prevented these lands from being developed or commercially exploited, and has allowed trails like this one to be open to the public.
The mountain is located in the eastern continental divide , which means that from its summit, the waters flowing toward the Atlantic Ocean are separated from those flowing into the Gulf of Mexico. Due to its altitude and biodiversity, it has been considered a conservation priority in the southern Appalachians.
Bearwallow Mountain is also part of the ancestral territories of the Cherokee, Yuchi, and Catawba peoples. Conserving Carolina works with Indigenous historians like Watson Harlan to recognize the area's pre-colonial history.
According to his research, before European settlement the region was a dense wetland where eastern bison grazed, and was important for Indigenous trade and community life.
Taking care of what was open to all
The reopening of Bearwallow Mountain, although limited, represents much more than the return of a popular trail. It is the partial restoration of a shared natural space, protected by community decision and made available through a trust agreement between private landowners and nonprofit organizations.
“The mountain is still a working farm. We ask for respect for the livestock, the land, and the people who care for it,” Conserving Carolina reminds us.
More information on updated access, available trails, and usage rules: conservingcarolina.org
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