The Adventure Collective 2017 WNC Adventure Guide | Page 29

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Hike Max Patch: Take in the most beau-
tiful view on the AT in Madison County. On Max
Patch, you are at 4,629 feet and, on a clear day, have a
360- degree panoramic view of the Great Smoky Moun-
tains to the south and a glimpse of Mt. Mitchell (at 6,684
feet, the highest peak east of the Mississippi) to the east.
If you have encountered crowds when you have visited
National Parks, you will be pleasantly surprised by this
spot. The bald was cleared and used as pasture for graz-
ing sheep and cattle in the 1800s. Today, it’s a 350-acre
tract of open land where you can hike the loop trails,
enjoy a picnic or the wildflowers. At night, it’s the perfect
spot for star-gazing.
Ride A Zipline: What better way to experi-
ence the beauty of the surroundings and the thrill
of shooting through the tree tops in the scenic natural
setting found in Madison County. French Broad Adven-
tures’ zipline course has 10 lines ranging in length from
75 to 1000 feet long with rappels and short hikes offering
great views of the beautiful 26 acres of land.
Bailey Mountain Bike Park:
Lay
down some fresh tracks at this recently opened
mountain bike facility that’s open year-round with great
options for downhill biking aficionados. As the first year-
round gravity park in the Southeast, Bailey Mountain is
sure to draw a crowd. Reservations are required, so call
ahead. [phone]
Horseback Riding:
Fresh mountain air,
breath-taking scenery and an old fashioned down-
home friendliness greet you when you take a trip on one
of Madison County’s many great riding trails. Horseback
riding offers a calm and relaxing way to take in unique
views of some of the area’s most beautiful vistas and
dramatic back-country scenery here in the Blue Ridge
Mountains and is a great adventure for the whole family.
Try Fly Fishing: Get away from fishing the
crowded rivers and streams and come to Madison
County where you’ll find pure water quality in the many
fly fishing creeks with d iverse stream conditions– from
trout streams with pools to broader rivers like the Shel-
ton Laurel. Or fish on the mighty French Board River
with its smallmouth bass, catfish and Muskie.
Ski The Wolf: When you ski or snowboard
at Wolf Ridge Ski Resort you’ll enjoy unmatched
views, crisp mountain air, well-groomed slopes and some
new places to explore at the closest ski resort to Ashe-
ville. Wolf Ridge Ski Resort offers 22 runs and two quad
lifts, a terrain park, night skiing and much more. There
is something for everyone from beginner to expert at
this family-oriented resort – now with an expanded 72
acres of ski terrain. Skiing or snowboarding not your
style? Wolf Ridge also has a tube run on the way to
the resort that is a fun way to enjoy the snow if you
are not a skier.
Whitewater Rafting:
Hook up with
a local outfitter for a trip down the scenic and
exciting French Broad River. The river features fun, but
family-friendly rapids like Big Pillow, Rollercoaster and
Stackhouse that are sure to leave you grinning from
ear to ear.
Explore The Roads By Bike:
Madison County has some of the most scenic
roads in the region and the numerous climbs and de-
scents combined with relatively low traffic make it a
top destination for road cycling.
Climb To Lover’s Leap:
Incredible
views of the French Broad River await from the
Lover’s Leap Trail, but this steep trail makes getting the
rewarding view a challenge you’ll have to earn.
Soak In The Warmth:
A trip to
Madison County isn’t complete without a trip to
Hot Springs to enjoy the natural warmth of the mineral
springs that have been drawing visitors to the area for
therapeutic soaks since for hundreds of years.
Hike The Laurel River Trail:
The
Laurel River Trail, located within Pisgah National
Forest near Hot Springs, is a moderate hike that travers-
es a beautiful forest alongside Big Laurel Creek and offers
great access to some nice swimming holes. We like this
trail during the summer thanks to the plentiful options to
play in the river and check out the views of the nearby
Palisades, a set of towering cliffs overlooking the river.
Relax With A Float: While the thrills
of whitewater draw a big crowd in the summer,
sometimes it’s nice to take it slow and easy. A tube or
paddling trip down the French Broad River from Hot
Springs to a takeout at Murray Branch - a picnic area
managed by the U.S. Forest Service.
Find Your Way: Head to the Madison County
Visitor Center in Mars Hill for driving directions to
these and other adventures or download our free mobile
app for turn-by-turn navigation to each of these adventures
and find even more great adventures to enjoy in Madison
County.
Madison County Visitor Center
56 South Main St, Mars Hill, NC
[phone] || visitmadisoncounty.com