Near Bailey Mountain Preserve Loop (Mars Hill, NC)
View from the parking lot

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Bailey Mountain Preserve Loop (Mars Hill, NC)

4.0 (1 Rating)
This is a pleasant lollipop-shaped hike that covers most of the trails at Bailey Mountain Preserve outside Mars Hill.
5
mi
Distance
1,519
ft
Gain
moderate
Difficulty
BirdingFall ColorsFamily FriendlyHistoricalViews

Route Details

Flatter
Steeper
5.03mi
Distance
1,519ft
Elevation Gain
1,519ft
Elevation Loss
30%
Max Grade
3,584ft
High Point
2,415ft
Low Point
Path Type
Loop
Description
Large parking lot at 889 Forest St. with porta-john and kiosk with map and fielding information. Yellow Trail starts uphill through a mown grass section, then enters the woods, where the best view is 1/4-mile from the start. Turn left onto Red Trail. Turn right onto Blue Trail. Turn left onto Yellow Trail for the push to the summit, 3,554 ft. above sea level. On return, get back onto Yellow Trail and take it all the way back to the parking lot.
History & Background
"Bailey Mountain is the highest peak visible from the Town of Mars Hill, and Bailey figures prominently in the history of the Town and Mars Hill University." - from it's Facebook page.

Route Conditions

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Contributors
Chad Randolph