About
There is something magical about hiking through Snowshoe Mountain. As a group of experienced hikers who have taken on a number of trails throughout the region, we have found that this area is one of the best for easy climbs with impressive views. We learned on our trip that the Snowshoe Backcountry Trails offer more than 11,000 acres of exploration. There are trails throughout the area, and you can explore a variety of more remote locations than you can at most parks. In total, there are a total of 17 miles of wilderness that can be explored through hiking. On our trip, we didn’t get to do it all, but we did try out a number of different areas.
If you are new to hiking, the area is not too challenging for most people. You will need to bring some good hiking boats, and I recommend some binoculars so you can see the natural wildlife and the depth of the hills around you. The photos you’ll take here are impressive.
When you get to Snowshoe Mountain, you’ll get to choose from several hiking trails. They offer something for everyone. I recommend stopping at the Mountain Adventure Center, which is right by the parking lot for the area. You can find anything you need here, but I also think it’s great to talk to the people who work here. They offer us some great advice based on our experience. You can also get information from the Depot or the village area, where there are maps of the backcountry area to check out.
The Area & Trail Network
To be clear, Snowshoe Mountain has much more than just hiking trails. There’s a bike park and swimming area, and in the winter months, there are slopes here. When it comes to the actual hiking, the best options are in the backcountry area. You can take the ski lifts up to the top of the mountain and hike there. You can also follow the mountaintop maps for other trails to explore.
It’s really best to stick to the maps because there are numerous resort areas with lots of pine forests. It’s easy enough to get lost out there even when you know the area well.
There are numerous trails here, and all of them are quite unique. Most of them are paved, but not all. You will also find that some share the road with vehicles.
Popular Trails
There are a number of trails worth exploring, and I highly recommend checking them all out, or at least those that interest you. Here are some quick facts about some of them. The Shaver’s Lake trail is about 1.6 miles. It reaches 27 feet of elevation. This trail is a fantastic family-friendly trail. It is not too long, and it’s a loop, so you don’t have to turn around at any time. There are some great views of the Snowshoe Basin from this route. It’s also easy to slow down and simply find the wildlife in this area. You can get to this trail by taking the Ballhooter Lift to the lake. The trailhead is on the right.
The Unemployment Highway is a 1.5 mile route that’s at a 204 feet elevation. I also recommend the Enchanted Forest area. It’s supposed to be a magical trail and really is fun to follow. There’s lots of moss and rocks throughout. You’ll need to have a good eye for things you could trip on throughout the area. It’s a longer route but well worth the experience.
We also were able to take the Cheat Mountain Ridge Trail. This is a popular trail that is almost 4 miles. With experience, it can be one of the best trails to explore here overall. I found it to be beautiful the entire time. This one is a great choice for those who want a bit more of a day long experience. To get to it, head south on Snowshoe Drive for about a mile. You’ll come to the Top of the World area. The trail is to the south of the lodge here. It’s hard to miss.
Another fun trail is probably one of the most traveled options. It is called 6000 Steps or Bail Out to the Fire Tower. Interesting name, right? It’s located at the top of Cheat Ridge. When you reach the Snowshoe Fire Tower, you will find the very best views in the entire region. Really plan to spend some time here exploring it all. I also recommend taking some photos in every direction. To get here, you can take the Bail Out and 6,000 Steps, both of which are better for more seasoned hikers. Bail Out is shorter at about 1.1 miles, but still ab ti of climbing to do. You’ll feel like you are climbing more than hiking.