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Hike the wilderness trails of our beautiful mountains. Western North Carolina, part of the southern Appalachian Mountains, The Blue Ridge Parkway, Pisgah National Forest, Nantahala National Forest, Dupont State Forest and Gorges State Park has an abundance of superior hiking trails. Beautiful scenery, great vistas and magnificent waterfalls await you when you sign up for one of our hikes. Let our experienced guides teach you about the area, the streams, mountains, foliage and wildlife that is so abundant. Book a full day, half day or an overnight trip and learn first hand why we are so proud to call the mountains home.
Steve Chapman, Naturalist and Outdoor Guide
Dear Bear Tracks Adventurers...I am very excited and pleased to be assisting Bear Tracks Adventures with Hiking and Outdoor Activities. What a privelege it will be to help introduce you to our beautiful area. As a native son of these mountains, with family roots many generations deep, I have been steeped in the lore and traditions of these hills. The native flora and fauna of the Southern Appalachians hold deep, sacred meaning to me. One of my greatest passions is to help introduce the true heart of these mountains to others. After studying natural resources managment at Western Carolina University and completing many wildlife oriented workshops and courses through North Carolina State University's extension programs, I began working professionally as a naturalist and outdoor guide in 1991.
I was fortunate to serve as staff Naturalist and Parks Superintendent at Sapphire Lakes for 14 years. There I founded their respective hiking and fishing clubs, developed many miles of trail system, wildlife corridors, fisheries and habitat improvements and much more. Since then I have served as Director of Operations for Headwaters Outfitters, a river outfitter on the French Broad River as well as Head Trapper at Smoke Rise Field Club, a Sporting Clays Facility and have continued to operate my own hiking and outdoor guiding business continually since 1991. All of these experiences have been greatly rewarding and have fostered many cherished memories and relationships, all the while honing my intimate knowledge of these mountains. With great zeal and anticipation of days afield, I look forward to seeing you on the trail!
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Hikes can be tailored to your preferences:
- Waterfalls
- Views
- Flora/Fauna Interpretive, Viewing
- Cultural History Interpretive, Viewing
- Combinations
- All Difficulty Levels ( Easy, Light moderate, High moderate, More difficult )
You'll need: Sturdy hiking shoes, water, drinks, sack lunch, snacks, camera, binoculars, pack/gear bag, rain gear, insect repellant, sunscreen, etc.
1. "Whitewater River Gorge / Jocassee Gorges" ( More difficult )
Full Day $225.00 ( 1 to 10 people )
On this 5.5 mile through hike, you'll view three spectacular waterfalls, work your way along a boulder strewn gorge, pass through lush, old growth forests, and perhaps get a glimpse of some of the abundant resident wildlife. From the trailhead, we start our descent on the Foothills trail. Early on the first section of trail, we'll view Upper Whitewater Falls. At 411 ft., they are the highest falls in the eastern U.S. Continuing on the Foothills trail, we drop into the gorge below Upper Falls. A short distance after crossing the boulders and iron footbridge, we'll view Laural Falls or "Corbin Creek Falls". Below Corbin Creek, the trail becomes more gentle and parallels the gliding stream through a serene forest. A spur trail will take us east away from the river before switching back west to view it's final descent toward Lake Jocassee and the 408 ft. Lower Whitewater Falls. On the last section, a short detour is in order to see the "Coon Branch Natural Area". This hidden treasure holds old growth giants as well as some more subtle, but lovely flora. Then, on to the hike's end. This hike descends nearly 1200 ft. It has some boulders and uneven trail to navigate, and ascends 350 ft. from Lower Falls Overlook to trails end, giving it a "more difficult" rating. However, most of the elevation change is downhill as we position vehicles at both ends of this "through hike."
2. "Rainbow Falls / Gorges State Park Cultural Sites / Jocassee Gorges" ( High moderate )
Full Day $225.00 ( 1 to 10 people )
"Life and Death in the Gorges" The wind and mist swept slopes below the 150 ft. Rainbow Falls of the Horsepasture River are the visual climax of this hike. However, we will visit long, forgotten homesteads and gravesites all but hidden by the reclaiming forces of the southern Appalachian forests. On this 3.5 mile, roundtrip, light moderate hike, we'll peak into the past and explore the cultural and natural histories of the Gorges State Park area.
3. "Panthertown East" ( Light moderate )
Full Day $225.00 ( 1 to 10 people )
Have you ever walked behind a waterfall? You can explore behind the cascading waters of Schoolhouse Falls on Greenland Creek on this 3.5 mile, light moderate hike. Enjoying panoramic views of the bog layden Panthertown Valley, is your reward for climbing the 440 ft. in elevation gain from Greenland Creek to the broad shouldered cliffs atop Little Green Mtn. Here your spirit can soar along with raptors on lofty currents. This outing can be extended to a 5 mile, high moderate hike, by continuing into the valley beyond Little Green and taking in the white sands of "Panthertown Beach" before heading back to the trailhead.
4. "Blackrock Mountain / Frolictown / Granny Burrell / Wilderness Falls / Panthertown West" ( More difficult )
Full Day $225.00 ( 1 to 10 people )
Commanding views of Panthertown Valley from the 4485 ft. Blackrock Mountain reveal why this area is called the 'Yosimite of the east'. On this 5 mile hike you"ll see mountain vistas from atop sheer granite cliffs, mountain bogs, clear pools in cold mountain streams teaming with native brook trout, open meadows accented with blooms and butterflies, and deep, shadowy forests where black bears trod. The elevation differential on this hike is 765 ft. There are small stream crossings on stepping stones (at normal water flows) giving this outing a more difficult rating. However, the majority of the trails and terrain are relatively easy for most of the distance.
5. "Owen Fields Falls / Rhapsody Falls / Pisgah / West Fork French Broad" ( Light moderate )
Half Day $150.00 ( 1 to 10 people )
This 3 mile, light moderate hike, will take you to a couple of hidden gems. Owen Fields Falls and Rhapsody Falls probably won't be found in your guide books. We think that's one of the coolest things about them! We'll hop across a couple of streams and pass through old fields from farms of days gone bye. Perhaps we'll hear the drumming of ruffed grouse as we explore these two little known waterfalls hidden in the upper portion of the French Broad River watershed.
6."Courthouse Falls / Chestnut Falls / Brushy Falls / Pisgah / North Fork French Broad" ( Easy )
Half Day $150.00 ( 1 to 10 people )
Located high on the headwater of the French Broad River's North Fork, you'll find waterfalls and legends. Courthouse Falls is named for the rugged rocky summit of Devil's Courthouse Mountain where Courthouse Creek springs forth. It is here that the Cherokee say the devil-like monster Judaculla held court, danced, and made his abode. This 2 mile hike carries a rating of easy and takes you to two splendidly picturesque waterfalls.
| Hiking Trip | Full Day (6-8 Hours) | Half Day (4 Hours) |
| 1 to 10 People | $225.00 | $150.00 |
*Groups limited to 10 People.
*Prices for longer trips (overnight) or some specifically requested destinations available upon request.
If you're ready to make a reservation click here to visit our Reservations page.
You can also give us a call at 828-862-8992 or email us direct at reservations@beartrackstravelcenter.com to setup your reservation. We look forward to speaking with you.
