Protected Paths: Trails Through Public Lands

By Kayla Masterman

From national parks to wilderness areas and national forests, federal public lands offer a range of recreational opportunities and an immersive experience in nature. Whether a waterfall stroll, a ridge-top trek or a deep-forest escape, these trails demonstrate the diversity, beauty, and significance of federally protected public lands. This series features lesser-known trails in Appalachia’s public lands.

Do you know the difference between a national forest, park, wilderness area and recreation area?

National forests are federally managed public lands overseen by the U.S. Forest Service and are designed for multiple uses, including recreation, wildlife habitat, conservation and resource development such as logging, grazing and mineral extraction. This multi-use mandate differs from national parks, which are managed by the National Park Service with a primary focus on preservation and public enjoyment. Wilderness areas, which can exist within national forests and parks, are protected under the Wilderness Act of 1964 as undeveloped and largely untouched landscapes. National recreation areas are housed under the National Park Service and balance recreation access with conservation of natural resources. No matter the type of land, visitors are encouraged to follow “Leave No Trace” principles to help protect these diverse public places.

Kentucky

Rough Trail #221 — Red River Gorge
Length: 15.4 miles
Difficulty: Hard
Land type: National Forest

Deep in the Red River Geological Area, Rough Trail #221 lives up to its name. This backcountry route, located near Pine Ridge, Kentucky, takes hikers through creek crossings, sandstone ridges and steep elevations. Notable features include access to Gray’s Arch, a natural sandstone arch, and intersections with other trails. The 15.4-mile out-and-back trail is known for its steep ascents and descents, giving hikers a challenging experience.

Managed by the U.S. Forest Service, this trail lies within the Daniel Boone National Forest, which encompasses more than 708,000 acres in Eastern Kentucky.

Photo courtesy of Kentucky Hiker Project

Virginia

High Top Peak Trail —Shenandoah National Park
Length: 3 miles
Difficulty: Moderate
Land type: National Park

Rising to 3,587 feet, Hightop Mountain is the highest peak in the South District of Shenandoah National Park. Hikers ascend 935 feet of elevation in 1.5 miles to arrive at the rocky summit and views of the Shenandoah Valley. The trail begins at milepost 66.7 on Skyline Drive and follows a stretch of the Appalachian Trail.

Shenandoah National Park covers over 197,000 acres of Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains. As a national park, it is dedicated to protecting biodiversity and ensuring public access. Visitors can enjoy over 500 miles of hiking trails and nearly 80,000 acres of designated wilderness within the park.

West Virginia

Fork Mountain Trail #236 — Monongahela National Forest
Length: 21.2 miles
Difficulty: Hard
Land type: National Forest

Traversing the Cranberry Backcountry, the Fork Mountain Trail winds through hills between the North and South forks of the Cherry River for just over 21 miles. The route loosely parallels the North Fork on high ground, intersecting with the Falls of Hills Creek Trail, which is home to the second-tallest waterfall in the state. It ends at the Cranberry Mountain Nature Center near Cranberry Glades and the Cranberry Wilderness. This trail is near Richwood, West Virginia, a town historically shaped by the coal and timber industries that is looking toward a future with more ecotourism.

North Carolina

Goshen Creek Section: Mountains-to-Sea Trail — Blue Ridge Parkway
Length: 3.1 miles
Difficulty: Moderate
Land type: National Park

Starting under a Blue Ridge Parkway bridge, the Goshen Creek section of the Mountains-to-Sea Trail near Boone, North Carolina, winds through rhododendron bushes and hardwood trees. Hikers make their way up rocky paths and shallow creek crossings. This segment of the trail features gentle terrain but some rocky spots and minor hill climbs. This section ends with a peaceful finish in a wide-open meadow, perfect for catching your breath.

The Mountains-to-Sea Trail is North Carolina’s official state hiking trail, spanning 1,175 miles from the Smoky Mountains to the Outer Banks. This section of the trail is on Blue Ridge Parkway land, a part of the National Park Service. The trail is managed by a partnership between the NC Division of Parks and Recreation, Friends of the Mountains-to-Sea Trail and local nonprofit groups.

The trail goes through a remote section of the Monongahela National Forest, coming close to a Forest Service road currently used for mining operations — an area of conservation concern for Appalachian Voices and others.

Tennessee

Angel Falls Rapid Trail — Big South Fork
Length: 4 miles
Difficulty: Easy
Land type: National River & Recreation Area

The Angel Falls Rapid Trail follows an old roadbed along the Big South Fork of the Cumberland River. This gentle hike takes hikers through the Cumberland Plateau’s hardwood forests. The path leads to the Angel Falls Rapids, which flow through huge boulders. Despite the gentle grade, the trail features all-around views upstream and downstream on the Big South Fork River. This trail is accessible for all skill levels.

Big South Fork is a federally protected National River and Recreation Area that straddles Kentucky and Tennessee. Managed by the National Park Service, the area protects 125,000 acres of gorges, rivers, canyons and more.