One Of The Best Winter Hikes In North Carolina Is The Max Patch Trail

Hiking to the very top of a mountain bald in North Carolina is fulfilling for many reasons. The experience of the hike itself, combined with the views along the way and from the summit, and the overall accomplishment make the effort thrilling in more ways than one. If there’s one mountain hike in the Tar Heel State that’s doable in the winter for just about every skill level, it’s hiking the summit trail(s) to Max Patch. This is one of the best winter hikes in North Carolina by anyone’s standards!

Max Patch is a year-round favorite among hikers and those seeking a high spot from which to reconnect with Mother Nature and inhale some extremely fresh air, albeit, thin air.

Google Maps/Dylon Zicchino

At an elevation of 4,629 feet, Max Patch is only several hundred feet shy of being a mile high in elevation. The air may be thinner up here, but the views are aplenty!

Google Maps/Micah Lee Scott One of the great advantages of making this hike in the winter time is that colder air typically affords much longer-range views. You can see forever from up here when the temps are cold.

But cold temps can make it a bit of a challenge to reach the Max Patch trailhead. Be sure to bring a vehicle that can pull the weight if the road is snow-covered and icy. If you’ve done winter hiking in North Carolina or anywhere before, you know this is something you must plan for. Once parked, hop out and take a survey of the upcoming challenge…

Google Maps/Diwakar Viswanathan

Here it is. It may seem a million miles away, but in fact, it’s not.

Google Maps/Logan Sheets

There are a few trails you can take to the summit: go left for a trailhead access (this trail totals 0.7 miles), or go right for a 0.4-mile trail, or go straight and shoot straight up the front side of the mountain.

Google Maps/Mama Chong

If you’ve ever been here during warm weather when Max Patch can be extremely crowded, then you already understand why there are so many ways to get to the top.

Google Maps/George Santos

Take your time and enjoy the experience. If there is snow on the ground, then that just makes it all the better. Cold weather hiking in North Carolina is different from warm weather hiking in North Carolina, but many people find that they prefer it.

Flickr/Alex Ford Just be sure to watch your footing, as there may be ice underneath what looks like freshly fallen snow.

It’s not hard to see why Max Patch is a favorite among visitors and natives alike. Even in the winter, this trail delivers satisfaction in so many ways! This is one of the best things to do in the winter in North Carolina if you love the great outdoors.

Google Maps/Jose Antonio

Have you hiked Max Patch during the wintertime? For more information about the hike and locating the trailhead, consult this link from our friends at AllTrails. We’d love to see your images included in our Facebook thread!  What other trails are among your faves for winter hiking in North Carolina? Let us know!

Google Maps/Dylon Zicchino

Google Maps/Micah Lee Scott

One of the great advantages of making this hike in the winter time is that colder air typically affords much longer-range views. You can see forever from up here when the temps are cold.

Google Maps/Diwakar Viswanathan

Google Maps/Logan Sheets

Google Maps/Mama Chong

Google Maps/George Santos

Flickr/Alex Ford

Just be sure to watch your footing, as there may be ice underneath what looks like freshly fallen snow.

Google Maps/Jose Antonio

Want more? Keep reading with this list of trails that are perfect for winter hikes in North Carolina!

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Address: Max Patch Rd, Hot Springs, NC 28743, USA

The OIYS Visitor Center

Winter hike in North Carolina February 08, 2022

What towns with accommodations are near Max Patch? Max Patch is located about a third of a mile from the Tennessee border. Therefore, you can stay in a hotel or other accommodation in North Carolina or in Tennessee to be close to Max Patch. In Tennessee, you might stay in Newport. In North Carolina, you could stay in Hot Springs. Both are about an hour away from this mountain. Are there bathrooms at Max Patch? There are no bathrooms at Max Patch. There is also no water. You’ll need to bring your own water for your hike to the summit. The closest bathroom and store is seven miles away at a campground store on Meadow Fork Road. The drive will take about twenty to thirty minutes, so plan ahead. What else should I bring? Winter hiking is fun but you also need to make sure that you are prepared for it. This hike is relatively short but there is some elevation gain. It will be colder at the top than it is in the parking lot. Wear warm clothing including warm socks. Dress in layers; you can always remove some if you get warm, and consider carrying an extra layer to put on if you get cold, too. Also, don’t forget your camera! The Max Patch summit offers a great view and you’ll want to take some pictures.  

The OIYS Visitor Center

Winter hike in North Carolina

February 08, 2022

What towns with accommodations are near Max Patch? Max Patch is located about a third of a mile from the Tennessee border. Therefore, you can stay in a hotel or other accommodation in North Carolina or in Tennessee to be close to Max Patch. In Tennessee, you might stay in Newport. In North Carolina, you could stay in Hot Springs. Both are about an hour away from this mountain. Are there bathrooms at Max Patch? There are no bathrooms at Max Patch. There is also no water. You’ll need to bring your own water for your hike to the summit. The closest bathroom and store is seven miles away at a campground store on Meadow Fork Road. The drive will take about twenty to thirty minutes, so plan ahead. What else should I bring? Winter hiking is fun but you also need to make sure that you are prepared for it. This hike is relatively short but there is some elevation gain. It will be colder at the top than it is in the parking lot. Wear warm clothing including warm socks. Dress in layers; you can always remove some if you get warm, and consider carrying an extra layer to put on if you get cold, too. Also, don’t forget your camera! The Max Patch summit offers a great view and you’ll want to take some pictures.  

The OIYS Visitor Center

The OIYS Visitor Center

Max Patch is located about a third of a mile from the Tennessee border. Therefore, you can stay in a hotel or other accommodation in North Carolina or in Tennessee to be close to Max Patch. In Tennessee, you might stay in Newport. In North Carolina, you could stay in Hot Springs. Both are about an hour away from this mountain.

Are there bathrooms at Max Patch?

There are no bathrooms at Max Patch. There is also no water. You’ll need to bring your own water for your hike to the summit. The closest bathroom and store is seven miles away at a campground store on Meadow Fork Road. The drive will take about twenty to thirty minutes, so plan ahead.

What else should I bring?

Winter hiking is fun but you also need to make sure that you are prepared for it. This hike is relatively short but there is some elevation gain. It will be colder at the top than it is in the parking lot. Wear warm clothing including warm socks. Dress in layers; you can always remove some if you get warm, and consider carrying an extra layer to put on if you get cold, too. Also, don’t forget your camera! The Max Patch summit offers a great view and you’ll want to take some pictures.