Where: Wildcat Rock Trail

Meet: Ironwood Square, Conserving Carolina’s office, 847 Case Street, Hendersonville, NC, at 9:00 a.m.

Distance and difficulty: 3–miles, moderately strenuous; trail type-out and back

Elevation gain: 1,038′ over 1.5 miles

Approximately 35 minute drive

Join us for a rewarding 3-mile out-and-back hike along the Wildcat Rock Trail in the Upper Hickory Nut Gorge! This beautiful trail winds through a rich forest of hardwoods, mountain laurel, and rhododendron as it climbs the slopes of Little Bearwallow Mountain. Along the way, hikers will experience the natural beauty and ecological diversity of the Southern Appalachians, including rocky outcrops, lush vegetation, and seasonal wildflowers. Our destination is the spectacular Wildcat Rock overlook, where sweeping views of the Hickory Nut Gorge and surrounding mountains provide a well-earned reward for the climb. The trail includes steep sections and rocky terrain, making this a moderately strenuous hike, but the breathtaking scenery makes the effort worthwhile.

This moderately strenuous-to-strenuous hike offers a wonderful mix of forest, mountain streams, wildlife habitat, and expansive mountain scenery.

*The Wildcat Rock Trail has been closed since Hurricane Helene. Although trail repairs are complete, the trail remains closed to the public due to ongoing road construction, so we’ll be parking on private property rather than at the trailhead. These guided hikes offer a special sneak peek at the restoration work.

We’re grateful to the Rock Crushers Trail Crew, Community Foundation of Western North Carolina, Carolina Climbers Coalition, Beanstalk Bridges, and generous donors Kim Chao and Bob Carlson for making these repairs possible.

*Space is limited and pre-registration is required, and space is limited to 20 participants. Registration, by RSVP below, opens at 9:00 am Friday, November 13, 2026.  

Contact pam@conservingcarolina.org with additional questions.

Conserving Carolina is sponsoring this special guided hike free and open to the public. The hike will meet at Ironwood Plaza (Conserving Carolina’s office) and will leave promptly at 9:15 a.m. Hikers should plan to return to the area in the early afternoon, time varying with group size. Car-pooling will be organized at the meeting location. If you’re coming from an area closer to the meet up location, please contact Pam Torlina (email above) to make other meeting arrangements.

Be sure to wear appropriate clothing and sturdy footwear. Bring a bag lunch and/or snack and plenty of water for yourself.

In case of inclement weather, please contact Pam Torlina by email at: pam@conservingcarolina.org by 7:00 a.m. on the day of the hike and/or check the Conserving Carolina website ‘calendar’ to see if the hike will take place. Please also remember to bring any medication that you may need in the event of an emergency (ie: epinephrine, nitroglycerine, insulin, etc.). Hike leaders will carry a first aid kit; however, it may not contain specific medication for your individual needs.

Before each hike, you will be asked to sign a waiver form. For your safety, do not attempt any hike beyond your ability and experience. This schedule is subject to change.