Powerline Road Trail #451

Highlights

•  Longest trail in the valley at just over 5.5 miles 
•  Multiple stream crossings 
•  Primitive caming nearby 
•  Ends at private property just past Flat Creek 
•  Connects to multiple hike, bike & horse back approved trails including Panthertown Valley Trail #474 and Blackrock Trail #447 to name a few

The Local Scoop

Pick up Powerline Trail #451 by accessing the Panthertown Valley Trail #474 past the iron gate at the end of the main parking area via my local directions. You will need to go approx. 0.8 miles to a four-way intersection (passing Wilderness Falls Trail #490, Salt Rock Gap and Deep Gap Trail #449). Here take the Left onto North Road Trail #453 for approx. 1.4 miles where it runs into and ends at the Powerline Road Trail #451. Go Left on Trail #451 for the longest trail in the valley or go Right to the nearby intersection with PV Trail #474.

Horseback Riding.

Powerline Road Trail #451 is a recommended horseback trail for those seeking solitude while in the valley. This trail also happens to be the longest trail in the valley at 5.52 miles in length. When riding in the valley we suggest staying overnight at one of the many primitive camping spots that dot the valley floor. We would like to ask that you use the existing fire ring(s) at these spots to limit the amount of impact you have on this area and as always pack-out what you packed-in. If riding the Powerline Road Trail to it's end just past Flat Creek, you will be nearing private land at the National Forest boundary and you will find yourself at the Northwestern-most accessible area in the valley. Accessing the traill from our local directions, we would like to recommend that you go left onto Powerline Road Trail #451 and travel approx. 2 miles looping around to the intersection of this trail and Riding Ford Trail #450. You'll really be continuing straight at the intersection but the trail to the Left is the continuance of the Powerline Trail. So, continue straight onto Riding Ford Trail #450 for approx. 0.9 mile where you'll be at the top of Riding Ford Falls. If you like what you see here continue just past the falls and onto Devil's Elbow Trail #448 (avoiding the left spur of Devil's Elbow Trail) bearing to the right. Jawbone and Warden's Falls await you on your Right. You'll have to take side trails but won't have to leave your horses for long. To return back to the West Parking area continue on Devil's Elbow Trail #448 to junciton with PVT #474 close to Greenland Creek & bridge. Here go Right and over the bridge for 0.4 mile along old roadbed. After 5 min or so you'll come to another bridge over Panthertown Creek. Here you'll need to pick up Powerline Road Trail #451 to your Right, just over the creek. Go 0.3 mile to junciton with North Road Trail #453 and take that Left. From here you should just be able to backtrack using my local directions. Have fun! Be safe when out riding and be sure to take advantage of the quality information and details on Panthertown Valley we offer you on our site. 

Mountain Biking.

Powerline Road Trail #451 is a recommended biking trail for those seeking solitude while in the valley. This trail also happens to be the longest trail in the valley at 5.52 miles in length. When biking in the valley we suggest staying overnight at one of the many primitive camping spots that dot the valley floor. We would like to ask that you use the existing fire ring(s) at these spots to limit the amount of impact you have on this area and as always pack-out what you packed-in. If riding the Powerline Road Trail to it's end just past Flat Creek, you will be nearing private land at the National Forest boundary and you will find yourself at the Northwestern-most accessible area in the valley. Accessing the traill from our local directions, we would like to recommend that once you are on Powerline Rd. Trail for approx. 1.2 miles that you take the connecting "Overlook Trail #491." You will need to park and leave your bike at the trailhead because this is a "hike only" trail. It is short at 0.5 mile in length so your bike will be safe if left at the trailhead. You will have a an uphill hike but the views are worth it from the top of Blackrock Mountain. See the entrie Southern valley from this summit.  Go back to your bike and start exploring again.  Be safe when out riding and be sure to take advantage of the quality information and details on Panthertown Valley we offer you on our site.

NOTE: We recommend researching the Panthertown Valley area before coming and also suggest not coming by yourself or without a map. This area is "wild" and the trail system is unmarked, you can get lost very easily if you don't know where you're going. Our best suggestion is to download and print the map we provide on this site, find the trail(s) you are interested in and plan out your day accordingly. You need to avoid any side trails you come across (and you'll come across a lot of them).

Local Directions

From the main intersection of U.S. Hwy 64 and N.C. Hwy 107 in Cashiers, N.C. take Hwy 64 East (towards Brevard) for 2 miles to "Cedar Creek Road" on your Left (crossing the Horsepasture River). Take Cedar Creek Road for 2.3 miles to "Breedlove Road" (S.R. 1121 or "State Road") on your Right. There will be a sign for Panthertown Valley at the Stop Sign. Take the Right and travel 3.3 miles to the end of the pavement for Breedlove Rd and where the rough, gravel road begins. Either park at the cul-de-sac here or continue on the rough but short gravel/mud road to the main parking area. Pick up Powerline Trail #451 by accessing the Panthertown Valley Trail #474 past the iron gate at the end of the main parking area. You will need to go approx. 0.8 miles to a four-way intersection (passing Wilderness Falls Trail #490, Salt Rock Gap and Deep Gap Trail #449). Here take the Left onto North Road Trail #453 for approx. 1.4 miles where it runs into and ends at the Powerline Road Trail #451. Go Left on Trail #451 for the longest trail in the valley or go Right to the nearby intersection with PV Trail #474.