Piney Knob Trail

Are you interested in exploring the tranquil wilderness of Western North Carolina? Are you in need of a hiatus from the monotonous expanses of concrete that have engulfed much of our world? Do you yearn for a place in which the only sounds are those of chirping birds, a trickling creek, and the slightest crunch of leaves beneath your feet? If you answered yes to any of these, Piney Knob Trail is the destination for you. Located less than 10 minutes from historic downtown Murphy, the Piney Knob Trail System is an ideal destination in the Tri-County region for hiking, biking, and running. Whether you are a lone cyclist traversing trails at dawn, or a family in dire need of a rejuvenating afternoon hike, Piney Knob surpasses all expectations. 

Piney Knob is composed of four trails of differing lengths, spanning a total of 22.3 miles. Along large stretches, the trail parallels a burbling mountain stream, including a few small waterfalls (for all you white-water enthusiasts). The trail system is largely shaded, but the afternoon sun often beams through the foliage, illuminating sections of the trail. Roaming the trails of Piney Knob, hikers will encounter clusters of mountain laurel, countless bridges, and an array of delicately-balanced cairns, or piles of stones.

Piney Knob is situated on a 700+ acre Murphy Watershed property off of Piney Knob Hill Road, about five minutes from Harrah's Cherokee Valley River Casino & Hotel. All trails are dirt single-track trails and built in accordance with International Mountain Bike Association (IMBA) standards. Furthermore, each trail includes mileage markers roughly every 0.25 miles. The Piney Knob Trail System is well maintained by a team of expert volunteers and is being constantly expanded to suit the desires of its users.