The Little White Oak Mountain trails are a new and growing trail system, with approximately four miles of hiking and biking trails currently open, near Columbus, NC. The trail system is part of the Polk County Recreation Complex.
Trails include an easy gravel loop that is mostly flat, as well as more challenging trails for hiking and mountain biking. The system includes four green (easier) trails and one blue (intermediate) trail, with optional jumps, skinnies, and other features for bikers. The blue trail is designated for biking only. Ultimately, the vision is to expand this trail network with another 8-10 miles of trails.
Once, Little White Oak Mountain—a local scenic landmark—was slated for development. But in a dramatic turnaround, Conserving Carolina was able to buy the land for conservation instead, creating over 1,000 acres of new public land. Six hundred acres were added to the Green River Game Lands, while 440 acres were added to this Polk County park. Another approximately 30 acres is being used to build affordable housing.
Check out this video introducing the new trails, created by the Friends of Little White Oak Mountain.
This hike is part of Conserving Carolina’s White Squirrel Hiking Challenge 8, which takes you to 8 amazing hikes on protected land. Take the challenge to discover some great places!
Location: Mill Spring, NC
Length: 4.1 mile loop
Difficulty: Moderate
Elevation Gain: ~400 feet
Great For: Walking, Hiking, Running, Mountain Biking, Dog Walking
Where are the Little White Oak Mountain Trails?
The trails are part of the Polk County Recreation Complex at 235 Wolverine Trail in Mill Spring, NC, next to Polk County Middle School. Look for a kiosk at the end of a paved parking lot and a trailhead leading into the woods.
Click here for a link to Google Maps.
Trails at Little White Oak Mountain
The first phase of the trail system includes the following trails:
- Piney Flats Gravel Loop: This is a wide gravel path that is mostly flat, offering a .75 mile loop for both hikers and bikers.
- The Escalator: This green (easier) trail leads uphill for .75 miles, connecting to the other trails on the mountain. The trail is open to two-way traffic for both hikers and bikers.
- Laurel Loop: This green trail offers a rolling .85 mile loop for hiking and biking. Traffic is directional and alternates according to the day of the week. Look for signs indicating the direction of travel.
- Live Wire: This steeper blue (intermediate) trail offers jumps and bermed turns for a more exciting downhill run. This trail is one-way and designated for biking only, to avoid safety issues with fast-moving bike traffic.
- Ripsaw Cove Loop: This one-mile green trail at the top of the trail system is open to biking and hiking. It is a one-way loop trail. Look for signs indicating which way to go.
From the parking lot, take Piney Flats to Escalator, then Laurel Loop, then Ripsaw Cove loop, back down Escalator, and complete Piney Flats loop back to parking.
You also have the option of biking this trail for the Hiking Challenge, in which case you should do all of the trails at Little White Oak Mountain including the bike-only Live Wire trail.
Plans for Future Trails—and How You Can Help!
The vision for the Little White Oak Mountain Trails includes another 8-10 miles of trails. Plans include more cross country loops, high-elevation backcountry trails, challenging enduro lines for mountain biking, and a connection to the future workforce housing neighborhood. In addition, there are plans for a future pump track, jump trail, and skills park near the parking area.
The grassroots group Friends of Little White Oak Mountain is raising funds to expand the trail system. You can go to their website to donate or volunteer.
Benefits for Local Schools
Little White Oak Mountain is located right behind Polk County Middle School and offers important benefits for local students. Teachers have made the natural areas around the school part of their curriculum. They have also added a new outdoor classroom beside the trail system. Educators and students use the trails for:
- Hands-on learning
- Cross country practice
- Other sports training
- A new mountain-biking club
- After school recreation
Teacher Jeanne Ferran said when the park expanded, “The fact that we have access to this resource right outside our classrooms opens up a whole world to our students—not just in the academic sense of learning about the animals and plants that live there, but also learning the concept that students, no matter what age or ability, can be stewards of the land. Our own backyard is our greatest classroom, and the more we learn and understand it, the better our community will be in the future.”
Related: In this video “The Power to Make a Brighter Future” Ms. Ferran and her students talk about their hands-on work caring for natural areas near their school.
Thank you to partners who created the Little White Oak Mountain Trails!
Polk County, NC, owns and manages the trail system, which was built on land that Conserving Carolina helped protect. Many partners contributed to the success of this ongoing project:
Funding Partners
- NC Land and Water Fund
- NC Parks and Recreation Trust Fund
- Open Space Institute
- Polk County Community Foundation
- Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration
- Fred and Alice Stanback
- Local Donors
Trail Creation and Grassroots Support
BECOME A CONSERVING CAROLINA MEMBER!
Take the White Squirrel Hiking Challenge!
This hike is part of White Squirrel Hiking Challenge 8—an opportunity to explore eight great hikes, all in places that Conserving Carolina has helped to protect. Take all eight hikes and earn your White Squirrel patch!
