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Max Patch
What you need to know
Max Patch is a grassy bald and hiking trail on the Appalachian Trail in Pisgah National Forest near Hot Springs, about an hour and fifteen minutes northwest of Asheville. A 1.5-mile loop trail climbs to the 4,629-foot summit, where 360-degree views take in the Great Smokies, the Black Mountains and the Bald Mountains. The last miles of the drive are narrow gravel forest road, and the parking lot is small. Camping and fires are banned on the bald through June 2029, and the area is open from an hour before sunrise to an hour after sundown.
Local's Tip
Carpool and go on a weekday if you can, since parking is limited. There are no restrooms at the trailhead, and the closest are 20 minutes away at Harmon Den Horse Camp.
What the locals say
Longtime hikers have watched the bald heal since the camping ban, and trail ambassadors from the Carolina Mountain Club help keep people and dogs on the marked trails.
What you need to know
Max Patch is a grassy bald and hiking trail on the Appalachian Trail in Pisgah National Forest near Hot Springs, about an hour and fifteen minutes northwest of Asheville. A 1.5-mile loop trail climbs to the 4,629-foot summit, where 360-degree views take in the Great Smokies, the Black Mountains and the Bald Mountains. The last miles of the drive are narrow gravel forest road, and the parking lot is small. Camping and fires are banned on the bald through June 2029, and the area is open from an hour before sunrise to an hour after sundown.
What the locals say
Longtime hikers have watched the bald heal since the camping ban, and trail ambassadors from the Carolina Mountain Club help keep people and dogs on the marked trails.
Scoops for Max Patch