Wildcat Rock Trail — Attraction in North Carolina

Wow! This is, from what I understand, is a newish trail payed for by the North Carolina conservatory. At the base of the trail is a gorgeous rapid stream. A great way to start a hike! I believe it was 4-5 miles round trip, and there is a marker, about midway where there is a big bald portion of mountain. I think there is, at times somewhat of a waterfall there? There was definitely some water trickling down the side, but def not what I would call a waterfall... Anyway, the important thing to note is that there is a trail marker here that informs you that the trail goes from "challenging" to "hardcore". They are not joking. It was a unbelievablly amazing hike - through and through (we only encountered a few other hikers the entire 5 mile) but after that maker, know you will be climbing up an extremely steep incline, sometimes on very narrow, muddy paths, and lots of strategic rock stepping. It was truly hardcore. However, as always, the views are amazing at the top. If you aren't in the best of shape, I would maybe just stick to the falls point - not beyond. It was pouring on our way down, and the rocks were definitely slippery. It was my favorite hike of the trip, though, and I felt like I had actually achieved something when we were headed back to the car. This is truly a proper hike! Bring...

Awesome Trail. I hiked all the way up 5 miles to Bearwallow Mt where there is 180+ degree view spectacular view. I liked the meadow with a wooden rail fence and the bridge over a split stream at the beginning. At 1 mile there was Bearwallow falls with a huge rock face. It was steep climb, at 2 miles Wildcat Rockwith a nice view over 74a. It's a unique rock formation and a tree I was able to sit on the branch. I liked the steep rock stairs along the way. At 3 miles there is a pretty meadow with a partial view of distant mountains. At 5 miles was Bearwallow Mt with spectacular views. There were many towers there and a huge meadow. I liked the whole trail. It had streams, very steep paths, rock stairs, places like a BMX bike track with ups and downs waves. I ran from the meadow to the top in only 28 minutes. It took 30 minutes to the falls, 30 minutes to Wildcat Rock, and 30 minutes...

AllTrails uses words like "Hard" and "occasionally Strenuous" to describe this hike, but "Extreme" and "Brutal " would be more accurate. It's 2,000 ft up the side of a near vertical ridge by way of an endless series of steep and irregular wood and stone stairs. It's like climbing a 2000-ft ladder. You will be panting like a dog when you get to the top, but coming down is even worse because you become acutely aware of your own mortality. As every steep and narrow step threatens to pitch you down the slope. There was a waterfall named Little Bear Wallow falls that was advertised halfway up the trail. But it turns out to just be a small trickle of water dripping down 100-ft Rock. Totally uninspiring. I would have given this a one-star review if it were not for the overlook at the top, which is quite pretty, and the only redeeming thing...