Date: Saturday, April 26th

Time: 8:30am

Where: Strawberry Gap to Blue Ridge Pastures

Distance: 6 miles

Difficulty: Moderately strenuous (7/10)

Cost: Free for Members. $10 for non-members.

Come kick off Appalachia Day with Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy by joining us on the morning of April 26th for a hike to Blue Ridge Pastures via the Strawberry Gap Trail. Participants will hike a moderately strenuous 6 mile out-and-back through a beautiful forest while taking in sweeping views of Fairview, NC before arriving at the remote Blue Ridge Pastures. Despite a mostly uphill 3-mile climb, hikers will be rewarded with dramatic views of the Hickory Nut Gorge, Bearwallow Mountain, Little Pisgah Mountain, and in the distance the highest mountains in the eastern United States. 

This trail is made possible through a partnership between two local land trusts – Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy (SAHC) and Conserving Carolina. SAHC owns Strawberry Gap Preserve and worked with multiple private landowners to protect this beautiful mountain land with conservation easements. Conserving Carolina then built the trail, which connects to Trombatore Trail at Blue Ridge Pastures. This brings us to more than 16 miles of connected trails in the Upper Hickory Nut Gorge! 

*Please note that Strawberry Gap passes through privately owned land and dogs are not allowed on this trail. 

Cost – $10 or Free to Members. Registration for this event will close at end of day on Thursday, April 23rd.