Point Lookout Greenway Bike Trail near Asheville

There are few signs directing you to the Point Lookout Trail, so we've included plenty of details for you here. Download and print the official Point Lookout Trail Guide.

Parking is available at the Pisgah National Forest picnic area near Old Fort from May through October. It's about 1/2 mile ride to the start of the trail. The picnic area has primitive restrooms. There are no other facilities along or near the trail. During the other months, parking is available at the Old Fort Depot (3 miles away) or Andrews Geyser Park (2 miles away). See photos below for more details.

About two miles up the trail is Point Lookout with a beautiful view. Just past the overlook, you will cross the railroad and have a great view of one of the tunnels. Do not attempt to get on the railroad tracks!

If you park at the Pisgah Forest picnic area, you can easily extend your bike ride by riding out to Andrews Geyser (4 miles roundtrip). Or you can ride into Ridgecrest and to Black Mountain at the other end.

Parking
Parking is not allowed on private property, only at designated parking areas.  Road shoulder areas are private property within 100 feet of the access gate on the Ridgecrest access side and is private property on the Old Fort side within 100 feet of the Piney Grove Baptist Church entry gate.

Please respect private property. Park only in designated areas or with permission. Do not block trail gates. Parking available at the following locations. From parking areas, follow bike route signs to trailheads.

May-October, this is the best parking area.

Driving Directions to Old Fort End
From Asheville, drive I-40 East to Exit 72 (Old Fort/Highway 70). Go about a mile, then turn left onto Old Highway 70. Go 2.4 miles to Mill Creek Rd intersection, Old Fort Picnic Area is on the left. Open May - October. Restrooms available. To reach the trailhead from the Picnic Area, turn left on Old Highway 70 and bike 1/2 mile on "Dead End" road.

When the picnic area is closed, you should park at the Old Fort Depot or Andrews Geyser:

Old Fort Depot: To reach the Depot, take I-40 East from Asheville to Exit 72 (Old Fort/Highway 70) and go about 1.5 miles to the Depot. Biking from Old Fort Depot: Turn left onto US 70 from the Depot. Bike about 1/2 mile and turn right onto Old Highway 70 and bike 2.4 miles to Mill Creek Road. Proceed on "Dead End" road 1/2 mile to trailhead.

Andrews Geyser Park: From the Old Fort Picnic Ground, turn right onto Mill Creek Road and travel 2 miles. No restrooms. To reach the trailhead, bike back on Mill Creek Road to the intersection with Old Highway 70. Turn right onto "Dead End" road and bike 1/2 mile to trailhead.

Directions to Black Mountain End
Park in Kitsuma Parking Lot: Take 1-40 to Exit #66 (Ridgecrest). Right onto "Old 70". At stop sign continue straight onto Royal Gorge Road which dead ends at the parking area. No restrooms

The Point Lookout Trail between the two gates is owned by McDowell County and the United States Forest Service (via easement in some places). Some lands surrounding the trail are privately owned.

Restrooms
Restrooms and water are not available on the trail. Primitive restrooms are available May-October at the Pisgah Forest Picnic Area.

Hunting
Please be aware that hunting is allowed on public lands surrounding the trail. For your safety, know when local hunting seasons open and close and always wear orange on the trail during those times of year. For current regulations and dates of hunting seasons please see the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission website: www.ncwildlife.org or call the Regulation Enforcement Division at 919-707-0030.

Safety Tips

• Always ride on the right side of the road or trail.
• Avoid Train Tracks. Trains cannot stop quickly. A freight train traveling at 30 MPH needs a stopping distance of more than 1/2 mile. For your safety, do not approach train tracks.
• If you are walking keep to the left of the trail as you do on the roadway.
• This trail has a number of blind spots; to avoid collisions and injury it is important to keep to the right of the center line.
• When coming upon other users advise them of your presence by calling out "I'm passing onyour left" (in a loud voice with plenty of time for them to respond). If you have a bell or horn, please use it.
• Always ride in control of your bike especially when going down hill (greenway trails are not appropriate for racing).
• When stopping let others know what you aredoing by calling out "Stopping" and get off the trail so you will not hinder others. (Do not leave your bike on the trail where others could ride into it).
• During hunting seasons, please wear orange or bright colors and make noise while on the trail. In case of emergency, call 911. The trail is marked with mileposts, please be aware of your location when calling 911. For non-emergency situations, please call the U.S.Forest Service (Grandfather District) at 828-652-2144 or McDowell County at 828-652-7121 Mon- Fri. McDowell County Sherriff non-emergency is 828-652-4000.

Trail Regulations

• Please carry out all trash; no littering.
• Trail is closed to motorized vehicles.
• Dogs should be on leash or be under voice control to avoid collision with other users.
• Respect other visitors and be courteous; yield to other users on the trail
• Do not approach or feed wildlife.
• Trail is open from dawn until dusk

The History
Long before the advent of interstate highways, US 70 was the primary east-west link across the country. Much of US 70 in North Carolina still remains open to vehicular traffic. However, one particularly scenic section overlooking the Royal Gorge in McDowell County, was closed to traffic many years ago when I-40 was built over Old Fort Mountain. For years, local hikers and bicyclists used the abandoned roadbed as a trail and dreamed of the day when it could be officially opened to the public. The dream became a reality at a ceremony on October 30, 2008 when the recently completed trail was dedicated and named the Point Lookout Trail.

Point Lookout was a popular stopping point and overlook on old U.S. 70. It was founded in the 1920s and in its heyday featured an observation platform and a restaurant. Point Lookout overlooked the Royal Gorge through which American Indians and early settlers traveled across the Blue Ridge Mountains. For years, the lookout was home to Sally, a brown bear that was kept on the property. Many people took photos of Sally and the lookout when traveling through there. Hot dogs, hamburgers, popcorn, soft drinks and ice cream were sold in the restaurant in the 1920s and 1930s.

The bike greenway trail passes through some of the most historic mountains in the area. Gen. Griffith Rutherford and his militia traveled through there in the 1776 expedition against the Cherokee. The place has a connection with frontiersman Davy Crockett. Union and Confederate soldiers fought a battle at Swannanoa Gap in April 1865. In the 1870s, the Western North Carolina Railroad built 11 miles of track with seven hand-dug tunnels to ascend the Swannanoa Gap.