Seclusion Bend Trail

Dogs Leashed

Features Birding · Fall Colors · River/Creek · Views · Wildlife

Restrooms are located next to the the Bluebird Barn at the beginning of the trail. The trail is relatively exposed, so make sure to bring sun protection and enough water for your run as there are no fountains along the trail.

The trail is relatively wide in most sections and can be combined with other trails in the system to create various loops.

Seclusion Bend Trail can be accessed by either driving down to Seven Islands Landing and accessing the trail from here, or parking by the Bluebird Barn and running down either the Bobwhite Accessible Trail and running out the Seven Islands Loop Trail or the Kelly Lane Greenway to the Seven Islands Trail.

If you run out the Seven Islands Loop Trail along the French Broad River, the Seclusion Bend Trail starts where the Loop Trail breaks off to the left. The trail is marked with with red trail markers that are located on trees along the trail. The French Broad River runs on the right hand side of the trail and provides beautiful views for over a mile.

There are both waterfowl and other birds that can be found along the trail, so it is popular with birders especially in the morning. You'll see people carrying big cameras in hopes of getting some great photo opportunities. The trail is peaceful as the woods run on the left hand side of the road and the river on the right. After roughly 3/4 of a mile, the trail passes the Maple Leaf Barn where if you want to cut off some of the distance, you can either take the Kelly Lane Greenway or pick up the trail behind the barn.

Continuing straight ahead instead of going to the barn, views of rocks cliffs can be enjoyed across the river. The trail follows the river as it goes around the bend before it passes a bench and bends back on itself toward the barn. Moving through a field, the trail runs behind the barn and climbs the hill behind the barn where great views of the fields of the state park spread out before you.

As the trail approaches Swallows at the Window Barn, the trail breaks off to the right and descends into the woods and follows the river for roughly half a mile where the trail ends at the Seven Islands Landing where people put boats and kayaks into the French Broad. From here, you can run up the road back to the parking lot by the Bluebird Barn or retrace your steps.

Birds can be seen along the entire course of the trail. Whitetail deer can be seen feeding in the fields and woods around you.