Upland Trail Inner Loop

Dogs Leashed

Features Birding · Fall Colors · Views

The only restrooms located in the park are at the Bluebird Barn at the entrance of the park. There is not a proper visitor center, so there is no place to buy snacks or drinks. The trail to Seven Islands Loop Trail is exposed, so wear proper sun protection.

The Upland Trail Inner Loop can either be done counterclockwise from the Bluebird Barn, which has a longer climb uphill or can be accessed by running down the Bobwhite Accessible Trail to the Seven Islands Loop Trail and take a right and run about 0.15 miles to the trailhead, which is how this will be described. From the Seven Islands Loop Trail junction, the trail climbs steeply up the ridge line.

The trail is a narrow, dirt singletrack that weaves through the trees and climbs above the river. After a tenth of a mile, you arrive at the junction with the Upland Trail Outer Loop and the Inner Loop breaks off to the right. The trail widens at this point to a wide, grass trail that is cut into the fields. There are nice views of surrounding countryside along this part of the trail. The trail arrives at a fork and breaks to the left as it approaches a pond where there is a platform for bird watching. After enjoying the views at the pond, follow the trail as it climbs gently uphill to the junction with the Upland Trail Outer Loop.

The trail continues to the right and follows the boundary of the park and you get some nice views of the French Broad River and the surrounding mountains. At roughly 3/4 of a mile, the trail breaks to the right and descends toward the the Bluebird Barn. There are some nice views of the barn and mountains as you approach the end of the trail. When you get to the end of the trail, you can turn to the left and head back to the parking lot or explore other areas of the park.