Fodderstack Horse Trail #95

Dogs Off-leash

Features Birding · Fall Colors · Views · Wildflowers · Wildlife

This is a tough section of trail that rewards the intrepid with amazing views. From the start, there are numerous downed trees for the next several miles that make following Trail 95 difficult.

Trail 95 climbs slowly for about 0.7 miles before descending 0.3 miles to Big Stack Gap. This is where the fun begins; an intense climb (900 feet in 1.0 miles) leads up to mile 5.4 near the top of Big Fodderstack Mountain, finishing at a left at a sharp right switchback near the top.

The trail becomes difficult to follow around this point because of light usage and downed hemlocks. Skirt around the southern side of the mountain to Harrison Gap, keeping an eye out for places where the trail disappears. A GPS or use of the Hiking Project mobile app will come in handy during this section.

Around mile 8.4, continue straight on Trail 95 at the junction with Trail 98. At mile 8.8, turn right to stay on Trail 95. At mile 9.5, top your water off with the headwaters of Citico Creek's North Fork. At mile 10.0, turn left to merge with Forest Road Trail 149, the Cold Spring Gap Trail. At mile 11.3, turn right turn onto Strawberry Knob Road and continue 1.7 miles to the trailhead.