Big Fat Branch Trail–Nichols Cove Trail Loop, 3 sights
7.9 mi · ▲ 1,654 ft · 3 hr 28 min
Big Fat Branch Trail–Nichols Cove Trail Loop, 3 sights is a 7.9-mile loop near Jenkins Meadow, NC. It climbs 1,654 ft, with sections as steep as 33% grade. It scores 94/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: genuinely wild.
Elevation
Getting there
Directions
Big Fat Branch Trail–Nichols Cove Trail Loop, 3 sights
7.9 mi · ▲ 1,654 ft · 3 hr 28 min
Elevation 1,411–3,077 ft
Loop
Trailhead: Big Fat Branch Trail · 35.41734, -83.97286
Weather Sep 4: Fog, high 85°F / low 70° · precip 5% · wind 3 mph · sunrise 7:11 AM · sunset 8:01 PM
Parking lot at the trailhead
- Start on Big Fat Branch Trail, heading W.
- 1.4 miBear right onto Slickrock Creek Trail, heading W.
- 3.2 miSharp right onto Nichols Cove Trail, heading S.
- 2 miBear left onto Windy Gap Trail, heading S.
- 1.4 miThe loop closes back at the trailhead.
Each distance is the walk from the previous step. Tap a step for a map of its junction.
Weather
Sunset
The best sunset spot on this hike is 0.1 mi in (~3 min). Leave by 7:38 PM for the 8:01 PM sunset. Back at your car by 8:19 PM — 7 min before dark.
Good to know
- Parking lot at the trailhead
More from Big Fat Branch Trail Trailhead
- Big Fat Branch Trail 2.7 mi · ▲ 1,007 ft
- Windy Gap Trail 4.5 mi · ▲ 1,192 ft
- Yellowhammer Gap via Hangover Lead Trail 4.5 mi · ▲ 2,200 ft
- Hangover Lead Trail 4.7 mi · ▲ 1,815 ft
- Calderwood Lake–Yellowhammer Gap Loop, 5 sights 10.7 mi · ▲ 2,976 ft
- Slick Rock Road 13.1 mi · ▲ 2,008 ft
Get outside more
A wild hike near Jenkins Meadow, emailed to you once a week.
Hikes near Jenkins Meadow, North Carolina