WESSER BALD (VIA FOREST ROAD)
Location: Western North Carolina
Trip Starts: NC 1365 (Tellico Gap)
Trip Ends: NC 1365 (Tellico Gap)
Total Distance: 4.4 miles
Hike Type: Roundtrip, Loop Hike
Hike Difficulty: Moderate to Difficult
Trails Used: Appalachian Trail
Trail Traffic: Moderate to Heavy
Trip Type: Overnight Trip
More Information:
Nantahala National Forest
Cheoah District, Route 1, Box 16A
Robbinsville, NC 28771
828-479-6431
Highlights:
Wesser Bald at 4,627 feet has an observation tower converted from the base of a former fire tower and is located 1.4 miles northbound on the Appalachian Trail from Tellico Gap on NC 1365. The 360 degree views of the surrounding Nantahala National Forest are excellent from this platform, but you must climb 763 feet to get to there. To reach Wesser Bald Shelter, continue on the A.T. for another 0.8 miles. You will pass a boxed spring to the right of the trail which is the water source for the area. The shelter has a covered table and bench in front of the small sleeping area. A fire pit and campsites are also located nearby.
Recommended:
Backpacker Magazine
Outside Magazine
More Details:
- click to see a video of a winter backpacking trip to Wesser Bald in North Carolina (password required)
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- click to see a trail and profile map of the Wesser Bald Loop Hike (password required)
- click for Burningtown Gap to NOC Profile Map, Cold Spring Shelter to NOC Trail Map (password required)
- click to view another backpacking trip to Wesser Bald in western North Carolina
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