Derek's Lazy Loop

Dogs Leashed

Features Birding · Fall Colors · Lake · River/Creek · Swimming · Wildflowers · Wildlife

This trail is located at Paris Mountain State Park. It's a beautiful, high volume park. Its trails are very well traveled by hikers, runners, and mountain bikers. Even though it is only minutes from downtown Greenville, it feels remote.

There is a fee to enter the park.

Counterclockwise, the Brissy Ridge Trail section is technical, but mostly downhill. Kanuga Trail is less technical, but mostly uphill. A short climb near the end of the first mile is especially tough. This hill is recognizable by the the spring on the left at the top. The water from the spring crosses the trail, and the ground is perpetually wet for about 10 feet. Then, it's more up and up. This section of Kanuga Trail is a favorite for the mountain bikers going clockwise. They go fast, so be alert. Usually, you'll be able to hear them before you see them. Kanuga Trail ends with a bang at the top of a hill that I call Relentless.

The Fire Tower Trail section is wider and mostly downhill, with one exception, a shallow incline that is quite sneaky, so I call it Sneak Hill. Fire Tower Trail is also deceptively technical in some parts as well, but overall it's a huge relief from the Kanuga grind and the concentration needed on Brissey Ridge. It's a fun section.

As I mentioned before, watch out for mountain bikes Sunday through Friday. The occasional blind curve, especially with the summer foliage, makes it nearly impossible to see a fast moving bike.

Mountain Laurel, Rhododendron, and various wildflowers. Squirrels, birds, turtles, snakes, salamanders, and lizards.