On the Road with Riley - Jack Rabbit Trails

Trailhead at Jackrabbit Mountain in Hayesville, NC | photo by Riley Lachance

I recently visited the Jackrabbit Mountain trail system for a mountain biking excursion with my dad. Let me begin by stating that I am by no means an expert mountain biker (hiking and running are more my forte), yet I still had an excellent experience.

Jackrabbit is composed of eight trails spanning over 14 miles. The central loop is easy and nearly level, and has junctions with several more difficult side trails, traveling to some interesting destinations such as ridgetops and beaches. Additionally, Jackrabbit is located on a peninsula, meaning that the majority of its trails parallel the beautiful Lake Chatuge.

Upon arriving, the parking lot appeared relatively busy, likely because it was a sunny afternoon. However, due to the sizable nature of the trail system, we only came across a few fellow bikers. At the trailhead, I discovered a collection of picnic tables overlooking the shimmering lake. Each is complete with a charcoal grill, making it the perfect picnic area for a family barbeque.

Junction 1 at Jackrabbit Mountain | photo by Riley Lachance

As we cycled through the wilderness, the only sounds were the slight whir of spinning bike gears, the chirping of songbirds in the canopy above, and the peaceful lapping of waves along the shore. In the distance, pontoon boats and jet skis skimmed across the shimmering surface of Lake Chatuge, as they too, enjoyed the serenity of the great outdoors.

Well-maintained paths at Jackrabbit Mountain | photo by Riley Lachance

The trails at Jackrabbit are well-maintained and include painted tree markers, or blazes to help guests maximize their experience. Likewise, the trail features a variety of maps, as well as signs identifying local plant life, perfectly satisfying the desires of the inner-botanist within us all.

Located in Hayesville, North Carolina, Jackrabbit is a mere 10 minutes from downtown Hayesville and about 30 minutes from downtown Murphy. Whether you are a seasoned mountain biker, a fledgling hiker, or somewhere in between, the Jackrabbit Mountain trail system encapsulates the best of all worlds. With trails of varying lengths and difficulties, I would highly recommend this trail for your next outdoor destination. Now, it’s up to you, and as always, happy trails!

Written by Riley Lachance