Laurel Branch

North Carolina

North Carolina

Free — you'll pick up right here.

2.6 mi

Distance

1,568 ft

Gain

1h

Time

No verdict for this trail

We won't guess. Here is exactly what we do and don't know.

What we do know

  • Inside National Forests in North Carolina

    2 managing-area boundaries mapped — agency alerts for them feed this page automatically.

    Boundary data

What's missing

  • No access route mapped

    We don't yet know which road reaches this trailhead, so we can't tell you if it's gated.

Nobody's filed a report here yet — be the first.

Why you'll love it

Out & back

Here's your day, mapped

Laurel Branch

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Elevation & route

Distance
2.6 mi
Elevation gain
1,568 ft
Elevation loss
1,568 ft
Highest point
3,619 ft
Lowest point
2,819 ft
More about this trail ↓

Photos

Directions & GPX

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Permits & access

Managing agency
Forest Service
Bikes
Allowed
Surface
Natural

Source for bikes, surface: USDA Forest Service National Forest System Trails (EDW)

About this trail

Laurel Branch is a 2.62-mile out-and-back trail located in Tennessee that offers hikers a straightforward journey through the area. This trail connects to the Prospector Trail system, making it a great option for those looking to explore multiple routes in the region.

Facts about this trail

The climb

Starts at
3,439 ft
High point
3,619 ft
Total climbing
1,568 ft
Total descent
1,568 ft
Steepest stretch
27% grade around mile 0.6 on the way out
Length (round trip)
2.6 mi
Shape
Out and back

Source: Roamze elevation profile and trail geometry (DEM samples along the mapped route)

When to go

Typical monthly averages (not a forecast) from the Robbinsville Ag 5 Ne, NC weather station, 10 mi away. High / low in °F.

  1. Jan45° high25° low
  2. Feb50° high28° low
  3. Mar58° high35° low
  4. Apr68° high43° low
  5. May75° high51° low
  6. Jun79° high59° low
  7. Jul83° high62° low
  8. Aug82° high61° low
  9. Sep78° high56° low
  10. Oct68° high45° low
  11. Nov58° high34° low
  12. Dec48° high29° low

The station sits about 1,300 ft lower than this spot, so expect it to run cooler up here.

Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020

Where it is

Managed by
Forest Service

Source: USFS EDW boundaries; USGS PAD-US 4.1

Conditions

Active alerts for Nantahala Ranger District as of Oct 9, 2026:

Source: USFS forest alerts

Nearby

Source: Roamze catalog (indexable pages within 10 miles, PostGIS distance)

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