Nantahala National Forest

Photo Essay: Hiking the Andes with Mountain Lodges of Peru

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Fire's Creek Rim Trail

Complete loop: 25 miles-Open to horses and hikers.
USGS Maps:Andrews, Hayesville, Topton.
Attractions: As the name implies, this trail follows a high, elongated rim around Fires Creek. It features scenic views, heath and grassy bards, and a mixed hardwood forest filled with rhododendrons and wildflowers. The trail is blazed in blue, but signs and blazes are sparse. Several side trails provide opportunities for exploration or alternate access points. Most people begin the trail at the Fires Creek Picnic Area on the trail to Leatherwood Falls. For a short walk, the 0.7-mile loop trail turns left and returns to the parking lot; the Rim Trail bends right and climbs to the ridge. Water is infrequent along the trail, so be sure to carry an adequate supply.
Directions: From Hayesville, on U.S. 64W, take NC 1301 northeast 3 miles to NC 1300. Then travel west 5.7 miles to FR 1344 (at Fire's Creek sign). Drive north 1.6 miles to Fires Creek parking area.

Upper Tellico Off-Road Vehicle Area

Complete loop: 0.8 mile to 5.8 miles-All users.
Maps: Upper Tellico ORV Map.
Attractions: The Upper Tellico area is a high-elevation basin formed by the Unicoi Mountains. It is one of only a few areas in the National Forest in North Carolina where off-road vehicles may be used. The ORV trails are a network of old logging roads and skid trails that range from"easy" to "most difficult". The trails are open to all uses-trail bikes, all-terrain vehicles, and four-wheel drive vehicles-except one trail that's open to ATV use only. Some badly-eroded routes have been closed to allow the land to heal and to protect water quality.
Directions: From Murphy, go north on NC 1326 (Joe Brown Highway) for 2.8 miles. Turn right on NC 1331 for 5.5 miles. Turn right on NC 1337 (Davis Creek Road). Go 5 miles to the top of the mountain and Allen Gap staging area. (NC 1337 becomes a gravel road--FR 420.)