The massive grassy bald is meticulously maintained by mowing and prescribed burns to preserve stunning 360 views of the tallest appalachian peaks. With spring wildflowers and fall leaf peeping, the max patch trail is an easyto moderate hike on the appalachian trail near asheville, n. With spring wildflowers and fall leaf peeping, the max patch trail is an easytomoderate hike on the appalachian trail near asheville, n. Take 1181 for 2 miles and then turn right onto state road 1182. Take exist 24 off i40, climb to max patch by gravel road, once at the parking, just a. Max patch is a 4,629foot tall bald mountain with an incredible 360degree mountain vista just 20 miles from hot. The 5 most photogenic hikes on the at explore asheville. A trio of route options leads to max patch from asheville.
Vandals riding atvs did significant damage to max patch in december 2012 and january 20. Hike a section of the famous appalachian national scenic trail or a. Max patch is one of the truly legendary landmarks along the truly legendary appalachian trail, and its no secret why. Max patchor the patch, as its sometimes simply called in the local areais a magnificent example of a southern appalachian bald, those expansive high clearings dominated either by grasses as in this case or shrubs that make unusual glades in a mountain chain otherwise dominated by forest and too low for a climatically controlled. Max patch is one of the most easily accessible and therefore most visited. The hike trails to the northeast, skirting the mountain and beginning a continuous, moderate climb. Fishing in max patch pond, madison county, north carolina if you are planning a day trip to the max patch bald on the appalachian trail, toss your fishing pole in the trunk and take a brief detour to throw a line in. Max patch hot springs 2020 all you need to know before. Hike the appalachian trail at max patch, a grassy, bald mountain thats. Fishing in max patch pond, madison county, north carolina.
Max patch great views of the smokies appalachian trail. At an elevation of 4,629 feet, max patch boasts a 360degree view of the appalachian mountains including the blue ridge and the smokies. In the 1920s there was an air strip on top of the bald. Wildflowers bloom there in the spring and fantastic leaf color can be seen in the fall. Oct 17, 20 filmed on max patch bald, clyde nc during the fall season, the foliage begins an incredible transition that can be seen throughout the parkway and the towns that comprise haywood county. Follow the appalachian trail from lemon gap, climbing through a mossy, creekfilled forest to exceptional summit views from the grassy, sunny mountain bald. Its location gives max patch sweeping vistas in all directions. Max patch sits in northern haywood county, north carolina less than a mile from the tennessee state line. The site is at the top of max patch mountain, just under 5,000 feet. Sr 107 connects del rio to a remote valley known as lemon gap, at the base of max patch bald. Max patch, a longtime favorite with at thruhikers and regional folks wanting to escape for a few sunny hours, is a superb example of that appalachain anomoly the grassy bald. By the time we finished breakfast, the rain had lessened to a light drizzle. Play, picnic or practice yoga on this appalachian bald.
Max patch is a local favorite in the southwest mountains of north carolina it is one of the mostvisited peaks in the area. It is a major landmark along the tennesseenorth carolina section of the appalachian trail, although its summit is located in north carolina. Max patch is one of the famous balds of the southern appalachiansa gently sloped mountaintop covered in grass, shrubs, and wildflowers, with no trees to obstruct the view. We decided that if i wanted, i could do max patch bald today before i left since it was the shortest of the 3 hikes that we had planned for this trip a 1. Max pat ch i s a b ald mountain on the north carolinatennessee border in madison county, north carolina, and cocke county, tennessee. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash.
Max patch mountain was once cleared for pasture land, leaving an expansive flat summit that now serves as the ideal location for a picnic hike, flying a kite, or laying in the sun surrounded by the great smoky mountains. Take exist 24 off i40, climb to max patch by gravel road, once at the parking, just a short hike to one of the most incredible views you will ever see. Rising 4629 feet, max is a rolling, sprawling stretch of mountain meadow that offers plentiful sunshine, incredible views, and an ontopoftheworld feeling. Max patch trail hiking the appalachians near asheville, n. Head south again on the at and take the long loop trail along the backside of max patch. The trail offers a number of activity options and is accessible yearround. Sitting on the border of north carolina and tennessee, max patch features 360 views and sits along the appalachian trail.
This is max patch, a popular, iconic, almost idyllic bald summit on the appalachian trail thats beloved by hardcore at thruhikers, casual day hikers and frisbeeflingers alike. Its like viewing a sea of mountainsa simply spectacular vantage point. Camping is allowed in nearby areas but is prohibited on the summit itself. Make sure you have good directions, dont think your gps will work here. Like most appalachian communities, del rio has several satellite towns, formed as early settlers branched out over the limited bottomlands in the mountain gaps and narrow coves. To get a few more miles in, walk the nearly 3mile loop that starts at the top of the bald. The drive to the trailhead goes nearly to the top, and the at runs right through it. The forest service now has to mow the bald to keep it open. The appalachian trail crosses right over the summit running north and south. If you chose to tackle these routes in winter come prepared with an emergency kit and a snowworthy vehicle. Max patch hiking hot springs, nc blue ridge mountain life. Just a short hike to the top youll swear you can hear julie andrews singing the hills are alive when to visit.
Hike a scenic alternate route to the ultrapopular max patch mountain. To hike north on the trail to the smoky mountains in tennessee, go to the top of the summit from the parking area and go to the right side of the bald for the trail marker. View max patch is a highland bald with a 360 degree view of western nc, the great smoky mountains, and eastern tennessee. Sitting just inside north carolina along the boundary with tennessee, the mountain is considered by some to be the crown jewel of the appalachian trail. If there was a top 5 hike list, the walk to max patch should be on it. Max patch loop via appalachian trail north carolina. It is a highlight of the tennesseenorth carolina section of the appalachian trail. A short trail takes you up quickly to the summit with its spectacular 360degree views. The bald is not an entirely natural phenomenon, however. Max patch loop via appalachian trail north carolina alltrails. Hikes are moderate to easy there is something for everyone easy access to trails great fishing pond it. The bald, wide, rolling expanses of the mountain rise to the east.
Max patch is a bald mountain on the north carolinatennessee border in madison county, north carolina, and cocke county, tennessee. The easiest directions to the area involve coming in via i40. Some gpss will try to direct you via nc 63 shortest route to reach the cabins. This is an incredible, relatively easy hike with the reward at the end being hot springs on the french broad river. This trail will eventually bring you back to the parking lot where you started. See photos and hiking guide for max patch bald mountain along the. A livestock pasture in the 1800s, max patch bald is covered with wildflowers in warmer months and offers 360. Max patch mountain, simply known as max patch, is hands down one of the most beautiful summits in the southeast. At 4629 feet elevation, max patch is not the highest summit in its immediate vicinity, but this grassy bald is certainly one of the prettiest. Max patch mountain is a 4,600 foot bald that provides 360 degree views of the surrounding blue ridge and smoky mountains. There is a sign here and at all the other junctions to direct you to max patch. The appalachian trail crosses the top of the grassy bald. On top youre standing on a bald mountain so be prepared for a breeze.
From the information for the benchmark on max patch, it references that there used to be an airport up on the bald. The hike departs from the trailhead on a gravel forest service road, roughly an hour and a quarter northwest of asheville view maps and driving directions. From downtown hot springs, go south on bridge street until it turns into highway 209. For a small fee barnstormers would take tourists for a brief flight above the bald. Several balds exist in the chain, and all offer exceptional vantage in every direction. At 4629 feet elevation, max patch is not the highest summit in its immediate vicinity, but. Hike max patch mountain, max patch mountain trailhead.
The trail offers a number of activity options and is best used from february until october. From hot springs, nc, it is about a 45 minute drive south. With little elevation gain and a short distance it is also very family and dog. Max patch short loop running trail, marshall, north carolina. Max patch short loop hiking trail, marshall, north carolina. A short hike from the parking area takes you to the top. There are also gravel roads to explore if you wish for example visiting max patch bald. Regardless, it is one of the mostvisited peaks in the area. Max patch on the appalachian trail in madison county, north. Apr 11, 2016 located about 40 minutes from hot springs, nc is max patch mountain, located in pisgah national forest. Max patch is one of the most popular hiking areas in our region. It is a major landmark along the tennesseenorth carolina section of the appalachian t rail, although its summit is located in north carolina. The view from max patch really cannot be beat it offers 365 degree views of the mountains in all directions, including all the way into smokey mountain national park. Also avoid the bald in inclement weather due to lightning strikes.
Max patch hot springs 2020 all you need to know before you. There are two other view spots on the meadow on buckeye ridge that afford a great view of max patch from the base of the knob. The summit of max patch at 4629 offers oneofakind views of the regional landscape that includes almost forty other mountaintops over 6,000. Max patch mountain in nc boasts a 360degree view of the appalachian mountains including the blue ridge and the. This particular loop branches just off of the appalachian trail at. This 4,600 foot mountain bald offers acres of wide open clearings with amazing, unobstructed views of surrounding mountains. Max patch is a bald, the southern appalachian name for a hilltop without a single tree. Mitchell on the east to the great smoky mountains on the. From the max patch parking lot its a quick and easy hike up to the bald. Feb 16, 2020 max patch is a terrific day hike right on the appalachian trail, easily accessible, with one of the best views of the mountains. From hot springs, nc take highway 209 to meadow fork road also called state road 1175. Max patch mountain part of the pisgah national forest is a bald mountain roughly equidistant from knoxville, tn and asheville, nc about a 1. Make a weekend trip from max patch to hot springs n. You can see the smokies and mount mitchell from the top of max patch.