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Green River Game Lands (Green River Cove, Pulliam Creek, Rock Hop, Bishop Branch, Long Ridge, Bear Branch, Long Ridge, Stairstep Falls, Turkey Gut, Bluff)
Trail Running Route
Moderate
8.7 mi
1,742 ft
A comprehensive trail run showcasing the best of the Green River Game Lands.
The Green River Game Lands have claimed one of the top spots among Western NC locals, contending with other nearby destinations like Dupont and Pisgah.
Begin your run at the trailhead along Green River Cove Road. After exiting from I-26, the road follows a long series of dangerous switchbacks that should be driven with extreme caution. Once the road levels out and parallels the river, you will find a couple of gravel pull-offs near the trailhead.
This route can be completed in either direction. If completed clockwise, you will climb gradually during most of the loop and end with a steep descent. If reversed, an intense hike up the Bluff Trail will begin your run.
The southern portion of the loop parallels the world-famous Green River Narrows. According to [Wikipedia]( "The Green Narrows is best known for being one of the most extreme kayaking runs in the Eastern US."
At the junction with Pulliam Creek Trail, keep right as the trail spirals around an elevation contour, eventually paralleling Pulliam Creek. This segment is particularly renowned for the variety of flora lining the trail and the cascading flow of the creek.
This route then follows the Rock Hop trail, where you should expect to get your feet wet if it has rained recently. A gradual climb up Bishop Branch leads onto another dirt road, where you can snag some partial mountain views through intermittent clearings.
A steady descent down Stairstep Falls Trails leads to its namesake feature. A small clearing allows an excellent vantage point to view the falls before the trail enters a rhododendron tunnel en route for the Bluff Trail. Popular among mountain bikers, the trail descends roughly 700 feet in about a mile before terminating near the trailhead.
Know that this area is popular among hunters, particularly between September and May. Though deer season ends in December, other seasons remain open through the spring. Weekends are typically the most active time, and wearing blaze orange is highly recommended.
Sources:
Written by Brendon Voelker
The Green River Game Lands have claimed one of the top spots among Western NC locals, contending with other nearby destinations like Dupont and Pisgah.
Begin your run at the trailhead along Green River Cove Road. After exiting from I-26, the road follows a long series of dangerous switchbacks that should be driven with extreme caution. Once the road levels out and parallels the river, you will find a couple of gravel pull-offs near the trailhead.
This route can be completed in either direction. If completed clockwise, you will climb gradually during most of the loop and end with a steep descent. If reversed, an intense hike up the Bluff Trail will begin your run.
The southern portion of the loop parallels the world-famous Green River Narrows. According to [Wikipedia]( "The Green Narrows is best known for being one of the most extreme kayaking runs in the Eastern US."
At the junction with Pulliam Creek Trail, keep right as the trail spirals around an elevation contour, eventually paralleling Pulliam Creek. This segment is particularly renowned for the variety of flora lining the trail and the cascading flow of the creek.
This route then follows the Rock Hop trail, where you should expect to get your feet wet if it has rained recently. A gradual climb up Bishop Branch leads onto another dirt road, where you can snag some partial mountain views through intermittent clearings.
A steady descent down Stairstep Falls Trails leads to its namesake feature. A small clearing allows an excellent vantage point to view the falls before the trail enters a rhododendron tunnel en route for the Bluff Trail. Popular among mountain bikers, the trail descends roughly 700 feet in about a mile before terminating near the trailhead.
Know that this area is popular among hunters, particularly between September and May. Though deer season ends in December, other seasons remain open through the spring. Weekends are typically the most active time, and wearing blaze orange is highly recommended.
Sources:
Written by Brendon Voelker
Created By
Strava Routes
Route and Elevation
Segments
| Name | Distance | Elev. Diff. | Avg. Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| Green River Cove Trail to Pulliam Creek Trail | 2.72 mi | 312 ft | 2.2% |
| Wilderness Cove to bottom of stairs | 1.43 mi | -154 ft | -0.1% |
| Green River Game Lands Loop | 8.10 mi | 1,181 ft | 0.2% |
| SR Climb | 0.44 mi | 223 ft | 9.6% |
| Climb from the river to the highest point | 3.70 mi | 1,070 ft | 5.5% |
| Pulliam Creek Trail to Rock Hop Trail | 1.67 mi | 538 ft | 6.0% |
| Deer Trail Climb | 0.57 mi | 269 ft | 8.8% |
| Rock Hop Trail | 1.01 mi | 230 ft | 4.3% |
| English Heifer Cove Climb | 0.91 mi | 295 ft | 6.1% |
| Stair Step Falls Trail | 1.40 mi | -446 ft | -3.4% |
| Hunter Lane Climb | 0.44 mi | 138 ft | 5.9% |
| Turkey Gut/Bluff Trail down hill | 1.04 mi | -794 ft | -14.4% |