Horseback Riding Trails in
Clay County Western North Carolina Mountains

You can hike a 0.7 mile loop to Leatherwood Falls or explore 25 miles of trail open to hikers and horses.

Directions: From Murphy at the junction of 19/129/64 set your odometer and take road 64 east 8.5 miles and turn left at the corner of the combination gas station and country store (presently the country store is named Gasoline Alley.) This paved road is not marked at the intersection but will shortly become Fires Creek Road up ahead.

After crossing the Hiwassee River at 9.5 miles this road will officially become Fires Creek Road, continue on to 12.4 miles and turn left at sign that reads Nantahala Forest/Fires Creek. At 14.2 miles the pavement will end, the picnic area and trailhead are just ahead. Here you’ll find a beautiful rushing creek with a paved handicap trail just over the footbridge to the right that follows the creek side for a short distance.

Turning left on this trail leads up an unpaved trail for a short distance to the 35-foot Leatherwood Falls. At this picnic area you can also pickup the 26 mile loop Rim Trail.

This 21,000-acre preserve is ideal for picnicking, hiking, equestrians, backpacking and camping. The Bristol Field Horse Camp is about 5 further miles up the road from the picnic area and has facilities for horses. Camping in designated wildlife openings is prohibited.

For more information: Tusquittee Ranger District, 201 Woodland Drive, Murphy, NC 28906. Phone (828) 837-5152.

Looking for Horseback Riding Stables in the Blue Ridge and Smoky Mountains including,
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