The river offers many spots to cool off in the water or to tube. Be sure to watch for the wildlife including Blue Herons, beavers and maybe even a bear. Spring time brings a bevy of flowering wildflowers making the hike even more colorful.

A little over 3 miles into the hike you’ll see the remnants of Runion which was a logging community long since abandoned. At the end of the trail you’ll reach the point at which the Laurel River empties into the mighty French Broad River. 

You can grab a cold drink, snack or ice cream at the quirky Laurel River store located just up the road from the parking lot. We also enjoy packing a lunch and stopping to eat on a boulder in the river.

Railfans will appreciate the caboose and passenger car that are located to left on the hill at the start of the trail. These cars are standard gauge so have nothing to do with the narrow gauge railroad which once ran here but make a pretty neat getaway.