At Montreat, hiking is more than a recreational activity; it is an opportunity to experience God’s presence through the beauty of creation. The Montreat Wilderness has long offered space for reflection, renewal, and reconnection through its forests, streams, and over 20 miles of hiking trails. If you’re new to the area, or new to hiking in general, you might not know where to start as you go about enjoying this resource. To that end, we have outlined a few tips and tricks below to get you started on your own journey in the Montreat Wilderness. What is the Montreat Wilderness? Over twenty years ago, Montreat Conference Center partnered with the Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy to place approximately 2,460 acres …
Bear Hunting, Graybeard Trail, and Fall in Montreat
This summer in Montreat was a bustle of activity as usual. For the wilderness ranger staff, the aftermath of Helene meant one of the busiest summers in a long time as they focused on trail maintenance and recovery. Dozens of volunteers have also helped to rebuild the trails since the storm and, thanks to their combined efforts, we are happy to report that every trail is now open except for the Harry Bryan Trail. While we have accomplished much in the last year, work is still ongoing. Additional maintenance is needed in order to ensure that certain trails are both …
Beyond Lookout
Looking for an alternative hike to Lookout? Here are three trails worth trying if you’re looking for a new hiking experience.