Waterfall Hero Hikes: Uwharrie National Recreation Trail

The Uwharrie National Recreation Trail is a long-distance hiking trail through Uwharrie National Forest. The southern trailhead is along NC-24/27 between Troy and Albemarle, just two miles east of the bridge over Pee-Dee River. Currently, the trail runs about 25 miles north, ending past King Mountain in Randolph County. There are plans to extend the trail to the Birkhead Mountains Wilderness, extending the trail to about 40 miles. There are several campgrounds along the trail as well as dispersed camping throughout the forest for backpacking the trail. Additionally, numerous trailheads allow for day-hiking the trail in sections.

Directions:

The southern trailhead is along Biscoe Road/NC-24/27. From Troy, head west on NC-24/27 for about 8 miles from the bypass and the parking will be on the right. From Albemarle, head east on NC-24/27 for about 7 miles, about 2 miles after the bridge over Pee-Dee River, and the trailhead will be on the left.

Map:

Trails:

Dutchman's Creek Trail:

Dutchman's Creek Trail is a yellow-blazed 11-mile trail that starts at the Highway 24/27 trailhead and ends at Uwharrie Trail near Yates Place Campground. It makes a double loop with the southern section of Uwharrie Trail.

Uwharrie Trail:

The Uwharrie Trail is currently about 25 miles, running from the Highway 24/27 trailhead in the south running north to King Mountain in Randolph County.