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green Oconaluftee River Trail

  3.3 ( 7 ) Favorite
  1. Areas
  2. NC
  3. …West and Mountains
  4. …Great Smoky Mountains National Park
  5. Oconaluftee
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Trail

1.6 mile 2.5 kilometer point to point
Easy

Elevation

Ascent: 0' 0 m
Descent: -39' -12 m
High: 2,025' 617 m
Low: 1,987' 606 m

Grade

Avg Grade: 0% (0°)
Max Grade: 1% (0°)

Dogs

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Trail shared by Tom Walsh

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“A short, easy trail to the edge of Cherokee, North Carolina.”

— Tom Walsh
GPX File

Features Fall Colors · River/Creek · Wildflowers · Wildlife

Family Friendly The trail is easy for all children and provides great places to explore.

Description

The trail runs from the Oconaluftee Visitor Center past a historic farm setting then along the Oconaluftee River to the edge of Cherokee, NC. It is a well maintained and relatively flat with a few small hills. The trail winds through dense forest, which provides nice shade in the summer and a wind break in the winter. There is one easy road crossing at Saunooke Bridge road (Google maps mislabels this as 441) then the trail continues for approximately 1/10th mile before turning back.

Elk frequent this area so be watchful. The Oconaluftee River Trail is frequently used by joggers, walkers, and bicyclists.

Flora & Fauna

Spring flowers, moss, and ferns blanket the forest floor, rocks, and trees. Poison ivy is very prevalent though out this area so be watchful when venturing off trail.

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Contacts

Land Manager: NPS - Great Smoky Mountains National Park

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Check-Ins

Oct 11, 2018
Kimberly Balogh
0745 with dogs 3mi
Jun 23, 2018
Stella Winston
Out and back with Teddy while working on the junior ranger book; walked by the old farm and saw cute pigs.
Nov 22, 2017
David Hitchcock
Hike out and back along the River toward sunset. Nice, easy hike along the river. 3mi
May 15, 2017
John Harris
2mi
May 10, 2017
Christina Harms
3mi
Oct 29, 2016
Jean-Claude Linossi
easy trail along the river and good views of the farm museum. 3mi — 1h 00m
Oct 28, 2016
Joey Kuras
Saw lots of elk here
Sep 20, 2016
Ainsley Passink
3mi — 1h 30m
Full Details

Trail Ratings

  3.3 from 7 votes

#7

in Oconaluftee

#16036

Overall
  3.3 from 7 votes
5 Star
0%
4 Star
43%
3 Star
43%
2 Star
14%
1 Star
0%
Trail Rankings

#7

in Oconaluftee

#618

in North Carolina

#16,036

Overall
19 Views Last Month
480 Since Sep 4, 2015
Easy Easy
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Photos

Oconalufttee River on the Oconalufttee river trail looking towards Cherokee.
Oconalufttee River on the Oconalufttee river tr…
 5
So peaceful here.
So peaceful here.
 4
January snow near the Oconaluftee River Trail.
January snow near the Oconaluftee River Trail.
 5
Mountain Farm Museum at Oconuluftee Visitor Center.
Mountain Farm Museum at Oconuluftee Visitor Cen…
 5
Elk in the Fall months are in rut and can become very unpredictable.
Elk in the Fall months are in rut and can becom…
 4
A peek into the humble housing preserved at the Mountain Farm Museum.
A peek into the humble housing preserved at the…
 4

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