A hike through the vast wilderness in North Carolina always involves a bit of intrigue as well as pleasantly unexpected nuances. When hiking the Laurel River Trail that begins near Marshall, there is a wealth of eye-opening sights that make this hike in North Carolina one of the most unique around.
The trail runs alongside of Big Laurel Creek, where the start of the hike is found on a gravel road (an old logging road) found near the intersection of 25/70. A parking area indicates where to pull off of the highway and begin your adventure. The start of the trail intersects the parking lot.
alltrails/Tom Jackson
The creek sits in the bottom of the Laurel Creek Gorge, a 1,400-feet-deep ages-old cut that swiftly moves the Big Laurel Creek through the gorge and to the French Broad River.
alltrails/Ericka Pierce
For most of the trek, hikers will follow the old logging road. The distance to where the trail ends at the French Broad is 3.7 miles and the terrain is mostly flat.
Google Maps
With the flat terrain and plenty of distractions, the trail and the hike seem to move as swiftly as the Big Laurel does through the bottom of the gorge.
alltrails/Genesis Chester
Prepare for breathtaking views from deep inside the river gorge and possibly to share this popular trail with others. When a place is this beautiful, it’s impossible to keep it a secret.
alltrails/Tom Jackson But the astounding views of the gorge and the sound of the rushing Big Laurel Creek aren’t the only things to capture your attention on this hike…
Just before the end of the trail, you’ll reach the ruins of an early 1900s mill town known as Runion.
alltrails/Kathi Roof
Once upon a time, a nearby logging company would send their trees to Runion to be milled before loading them onto rail cars for transport.
alltrails/Eddie Odom It’s said that, at one point, the town of Runion, which was situated near the French Broad River (and along this very trail) had as many as 1,000 residents.
Today, the only evidence of this once booming town is found in the form of scattered ruins.
alltrails/Kathi Roof
So let’s recap all this trail has to offer: a rushing creek deep within a 1,400-foot-deep gorge, an old logging road perfect for a carefree hike, potential swimming holes that we didn’t even mention above (shhhh…), views of the confluence of the Big Laurel Creek and the French Broad River, and lastly – a real ghost town. Wow. The Laurel River Trail belongs at or near the top of any hiking bucket list this year! Learn more about it from our friends at AllTrails.
alltrails/Tom Jackson
alltrails/Ericka Pierce
Google Maps
alltrails/Genesis Chester
But the astounding views of the gorge and the sound of the rushing Big Laurel Creek aren’t the only things to capture your attention on this hike…
alltrails/Kathi Roof
alltrails/Eddie Odom
It’s said that, at one point, the town of Runion, which was situated near the French Broad River (and along this very trail) had as many as 1,000 residents.
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Address: Laurel Creek Trail, Marshall, NC 28753, USA
