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HOMETOWN HIKES: As this map indicates, you don’t have to leave Buncombe County to find a quiet hiking trail. Image created using Google Maps
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Warren Wilson College
The Swannanoa school has 25 miles of hiking trails. Two nearly flat ones wind through a strip of large sycamores, buckeyes and other trees along the north side of the Swannanoa River for about 2 miles. The paths lie next to the college’s farm fields, which are offlimits to visitors. You’ll find the main River Trail West and River Trail East trailhead where Warren Wilson Road crosses the river. No parking is available there, so you’ll have to find a visitor parking space on campus. River Trail West dips into
more remote, wooded areas and is the prettier of the two. River Trail East’s other end is in Buncombe County’s Charles D. Owen Park. Look for a small, unmarked grassy slope at the west end of the park’s lower pond. The trail immediately crosses a small bridge, then a powerline right of way. Getting there. The trails are in three main areas: In and around the campus, the Jones Mountain area half a mile south on Warren Wilson Road and the Berea area across Riceville Road from Berea Baptist Church. Park only where allowed and don’t block gates. Navigating. A Google search for “Warren Wilson College trails” will turn up maps in several places.
Enjoy a fun spring day on Lake Julian Park’s 18-hole disc golf course with free food, beer and prizes at this tournament supporting the nonprofit Green Built Alliance.
Noon Saturday, May 4 Lake Julian Park • Arden, NC Learn more and register at tiny.cc/discgolf SPONSORED BY:
PROCEEDS BENEFIT:
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WARREN WILSON COLLEGE: Trees lean over the Swannanoa River on Warren Wilson College’s River Trail East. Photo by Mark Barrett MOUNTAINX.COM
MAY 1 - 7, 2019
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