This is 1 of my favorite trails. I enjoy ridge trails because of the views, but his 1 is of particular interest because it is next to the border of the National Park. The split rail fence line is evidence of the division.
There is a stark contrast between development on the left, and the park on the right. On the right there are wonderful views of ridge after ridge(and the "trees standing errect" on the spine of subsequent ridges), and the Cataloochee Valley. There is one place on the left where you can hop over the fence and enjoy the views of Western N. C. and Cove Creek Valley. Again the views are even more ridge after ridge. You can sit down on a bench that has a shelter. What a treat for those weary hiking legs. At 5.0 miles there is another unexpected treat. The Swag private resort is just outside the park boundary. There are not too many trails in the park where you can enjoy the solitude of nature and be close to the existence of man without it being intrusive. I have wonderful memories of my first time on this trail, hiked in November 2000.