Notice: Weed Patch Mountain Trail sustained extreme damage during Hurricane Helene and is closed at this time, along with the Buffalo Creek Park loop trail. We will update this page when the status of the trail changes. At this time, the following Conserving Carolina trails have reopened: Bearwallow Mountain, Strawberry Gap, Trombatore Trail, Norman Wilder Forest, and Youngs Mountain Trail.
Weed Patch Mountain Trail offers exciting backcountry adventures for hikers, mountain bikers, and rock climbers. This award winning 8.6 mile trail traverses rugged mountain terrain through a remote wilderness area in the Town of Lake Lure’s Buffalo Creek Park.
Along the way, you’ll find yourself at rock outcrops with spectacular long range views, as well as pristine mountain streams and an old growth forest. The trail is designed for hiking and mountain biking. This trail connects to the Buffalo Creek Loop Trail.
Please note that the parking area on Shumont Rd. has been closed. You can access Weed Patch via the Town of Lake Lure’s Buffalo Creek Park. Learn more.
Length: 10 miles one way, 20 miles round trip (including the start on the Buffalo Creek Loop Trail)
Difficulty: Strenuous
Great For: Hiking, Mountain Biking, Rock Climbing, Views, Wilderness Experience
Weather Related Closings
To prevent damage to the trail, it may be closed due to weather conditions. Please check the Buffalo Creek Park website for information about closings.
Protect Great Places to Get Outside!
If you enjoy places like Weed Patch Mountain Trail, become a member of Conserving Carolina! We’re always working to create new parks, trails, greenways, and public lands. Your membership supports conservation and we’ll keep you in the loop about the latest news, outings, and events.
How to Get to Weed Patch Mountain Trail
Please note that the parking area on Shumont Road has been closed. You can access Weed Patch Mountain Trail via the Town of Lake Lure’s Buffalo Creek Park.
Buffalo Creek Park Trailhead
Address: 2191 Buffalo Creek Rd, Lake Lure, NC 28746
Take the Buffalo Creek Loop Trail to get to Weed Patch Mountain Trail.
Following the closure of the upper parking lot, Conserving Carolina and our partners are working to find solutions that will improve access to the full length of Weed Patch Mountain Trail.
Weed Patch Mountain Trail Map
This map shows the route of the trail, including topography and the best scenic views. You can also download this map as a PDF.
Hiking or Mountain Biking Weed Patch Mountain Trail
When planning a trip to Weed Patch Mountain Trail, please keep in mind that the terrain is steep, rugged, and remote and an out-and-back on the full trail is 20 miles long. Know your limits and come prepared.
One option for hiking or biking Weed Patch is the 10-mile out-and-back (5 miles each way) to the spectacular views from Grey Rock, around the midpoint of the trail. Begin at Buffalo Creek Park and make your way mostly uphill to this spectacular viewpoint about five miles up the trail. Enjoy the view and then make your way back down to Buffalo Creek Park.
Creating the Weed Patch Mountain Trail
Conserving Carolina partnered with the Town of Lake Lure to protect over 1,500 acres at Buffalo Creek Park—making it one of the largest local parks in North Carolina. This land was slated for development, but during the recession, we were able to purchase the property out of bankruptcy. This allowed us to save a stunning tract of backcountry wilderness and open it to the public for recreation!
Conserving Carolina protected the land forever with a conservation easement and sold it to the town for a public park. We designed and built the 8.6 mile trail to high standards of sustainability, in order to prevent erosion, minimize needs for future maintenance, and enhance people’s experience on the trail. Our volunteer trail crews were instrumental in creating this state-of-the-art backcountry trail. The Weed Patch Mountain Trail is part of our vision for the 100+ mile Hickory Nut Gorge State Trail network.
One of the Best New Trails in the Country!
In 2019, the national Coalition for Recreational Trails honored Weed Patch Mountain Trail with its annual achievement award in the category of trail design and construction. It was the second year in a row that a Conserving Carolina trail has won this national award. Learn more.
Share Your Experience
If you’ve been out adventuring on Weed Patch Mountain, please share your photos on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter. Tag us and use the hashtag #conservingcarolina. Here’s how to find us on social:
Keep Exploring
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