Where: Green River Game Lands loop

Meet: Ironwood Square, Conserving Carolina’s office, 847 Case Street, Hendersonville, NC, at 8:30 a.m.

Distance and difficulty: 4.6 miles, moderate; trail type – loop

Elevation gain: 839′

Approximately 15 minute drive

This hike offers a variety of scenery, with mountain views, creek crossings, lush plant life, and the beautiful Stairstep Falls.

This is a great opportunity to discover part of the Game Lands—home to a great abundance of plants and animals, including many rare species. This public land also boasts one of the highest densities of nesting birds in North Carolina. Owned by the state of North Carolina, the Green River Game Lands comprise over 14,000 acres along the Blue Ridge Escarpment in Henderson and Polk counties. There is a network of nine marked trails. Hiking this loop, you’ll traverse four of these trails.

*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, March 8, 2024.  

Contact [email protected] with additional questions.

Conserving Carolina is sponsoring a Friday hiking series this spring that is free, guided, and open to the public. The hikes will meet at Ironwood Plaza (Conserving Carolina’s office) and will leave promptly at 8:45 a.m. Hikers should plan to return to the area in the late afternoon, time varying with group size, distance of hike, and drive time. Car-pooling will be organized at the meeting location. If you’re coming from an area closer to the trailhead, 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: [email protected] by 8:00 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.