2022 State Trail Designation Applicants

Chimney Rock State Park has applied for Hickory Nut Gorge State Trail designation for portions of six trails within the park: Exclamation Point, Four Seasons, Hickory Nut Falls, Outcroppings, Skyline, and the portion of Weed Patch Mountain that is within the park boundaries.

The Parks, Recreation, and Lake Department for the Town of Lake Lure is requesting that the Buffalo Creek Park Trail be designated as part of the Hickory Nut Gorge State Trail.

Designed with an eye for mountain biking, this 3.5-mile loop features significant elevation changes, while incorporating rollers, banked turns and berms. The first quarter mile of the trail accommodates two-way traffic. The rest of the trail has opposing flows for bikers and hikers, with signage directing the day-specific flow.

Buffalo Creek Park offers frontcountry and backcountry trails for hiking and mountain biking, while exploring scenic and natural splendor.

ADA-compliant picnic tables are provided along the trail. Ample, free parking is located at the trailhead.

GPS coordinates for the trailhead and trail end are 35.4824266, -82.1921432.

The Parks, Recreation, and Lake Department for the Town of Lake Lure is requesting that the Creekside Trail in Dittmer-Watts Nature Park be designated as part of the Hickory Nut Gorge State Trail.

The Dittmer-Watts Nature Park provides free parking, a covered ADA-compliant picnic area, picnic tables, and benches along the trails. The trails border Lake Lure Classical Academy and Lake Lure Green Space.

Creekside Trail is 0.4 mile long.

GPS coordinates for the Dittmer-Watts Nature Trailhead are 35.4112895,-82.1983038.

The Parks, Recreation, and Lake Department for the Town of Lake Lure is requesting that the Green Space Trail, in its entirety, be designated as part of the Hickory Nut Gorge State Trail.

The trailhead for the Green Space Trail is located at the parking lot of the Parks, Recreation, and Lake Department. Ample, paved parking and restrooms are located there. Benches are provided at strategic points along the 2.5-mile paved trail for resting and enjoying the remarkable mountain views.

GPS coordinates for the trailhead are 35.4462492, -82.277687.

The Parks, Recreation, and Lake Department for the Town of Lake Lure is requesting that the Weed Patch Mountain Trail be designated as part of the Hickory Nut Gorge State Trail.

The Weed Patch Mountain Trail is an 8.6-mile-long connection from Eagle Rock to Buffalo Creek Park. It is a backcountry trail with no other trails connecting to the entire length of it. Weed Patch Mountain Trail offers a narrow single-track design with no banked curves or specific mountain bike features.

Parking is provided on the main access point at Buffalo Creek Park parking lot. There is also limited parking available at the western end of the trail on the Chimney Rock State Park portion

GPS coordinates for the trailhead are 35.4826973,-82.2168946. The coordinates for the trail end are 35.4827189,-82.2234607.

Chimney Rock Village is requesting state designation of the Chimney Rock Village Boulders Trail, to be included as part of the Hickory Nut Gorge State Trail.

The trail leaves from the village-owned parking lot on Main Street in Chimney Rock and currently terminates atop Grandview Boulder. The trail offers easy access from Main Street with ample parking for 100 cars, stunning views, a stair-stepped climb, wildflowers, rock climbing access, and creeks.

The trailhead has a kiosk with a map, and the trail is blazed with red blazes and warning signs of hazards. Public restrooms are available a few hundred feet away from the parking area.