Daffodil Flats via Pinnacle, MST, Leadmine, Linville Gorge, and Unnamed Trails - Nebo, NC

North Carolina

Feb 23

“Joy does not simply happen to us. We have to choose joy and keep choosing it every day.” - Henri Nouwen

“I wander’d lonely as a cloud, That floats on high o’er vales and hills, When all at once I saw a crowd, A host of golden daffodils.” - William Wordsworth

“This trail does have a name…. It’s called “effing hard!” - Ginger Shields, referring to the difficulty of the Unnamed Trail.

The Story -

On Saturday morning, Ginger, Alex, and I hiked six difficult miles on a combination of trails to the beautiful Daffodil Flats in the remote Linville Gorge Wilderness Area northwest of Marion in Nebo, NC. The Daffodil Flats is a magical little-known area that is filled every spring with thousands and thousands of golden-yellow daffodil blooms, covering almost an acre of the ground like thick carpet, a secret hidden enchanted ghost garden located in a small valley on the floor of the Linville Gorge.

Linville Gorge Wilderness Area -

Located in Burke County, the twelve-mile-long Linville Gorge is known as the “Grand Canyon of the East” and was the nation’s first officially designated wilderness area in 1964. Since it is a designated wilderness area, all thirty-nine miles of the trails in the Linville Gorge are considered to be backcountry trails and therefore, have very limited maintenance or trail markings. The Linville River lies 2,000 below the ridge, thus hiking in and out of the Gorge is challenging and enjoyable for those who like serious hiking.

Daffodil Flats -

The most popular legend of the Daffodil Flats is that many, many years ago there was a homestead at the bottom of the gorge, and the family living there planted a small daffodil garden. The structures are no longer there, perhaps decimated by a flood, yet the daffodils are thriving, multiplying in number year after year. With the unseasonable warm weather this winter, the peak season for the normal spring-blooming daffodil arrived several weeks early. The good news is that under the right conditions, like those found in the Linville Gorge, the flowering season for daffodils can last from six weeks up to three months, leaving plenty of time left to visit the unique and beautiful area located deep within the Gorge. If you do choose to visit, be prepared for an incredibly difficult downhill trek and then an strenuous uphill climb out of the Gorge, a struggle even for those in the best of shape. However, it is all worth the effort, a truly unique and enchanting item for your bucket list, especially if you live in North Carolina.

Spill The Tea -

The Daffodil Flats hike is popular and becoming more so every year, but it is not for the faint of heart. In fact, it is perhaps the most difficult short hike in all of Western North Carolina. If you accept the challenge, you will be rewarded with epic views of the Gorge, an ethereal stroll along a rushing Linville River, and a drive along one of the most scenic roads in the country. And that’s all before you even get to the flowers!

Add Some Cream and Sugar -

The hike starts from a small parking area on Old NC 105 or Kistler Memorial Highway, three miles after the road turns to gravel. The parking area has space for only about five cars, yet during popular times of the year, there will be a number of cars parked on side of the road as well. The trailhead is marked as “Pinnacle” on most maps, just be sure to verify that you’ve got the correct Pinnacle in the Linville Gorge.

We took the Pinnacle Trail to a 360-degree overlook offering stunning views of Lake James, the Chimneys, Shortoff Mountain, Hawksbill Mountain, and Table Rock. After taking a lot of pictures and having a snack, we left the Pinnacle, taking the Mountain to Sea Trail which dropped steeply for about a mile over uneven terrain until turning left on the Leadmine Trail. The Leadmine trail was somewhat muddy and a little slippery while gently incorporating several moderate switchbacks and small tributary crossings of the Linville River. The Leadmine Trail leads to the mostly flat Linville Gorge Trail which runs beside the powerful Linville River, offering multiple stunning views of its rolling rapids and cascades. After roughly a mile, The Daffodil Flats are immediately off the Linville Gorge Trail, and the turnout is easy to find, especially during peak season.

After admiring the daffodils from several vantage points and eating lunch, we began our hike back to the car. We retraced our path on the Linville Gorge Trail for half a mile until we reached the Unnamed Trail. Here is where the fun really begins, if you are a masochist. The unmarked and unkept Unnamed Trail is a shorter route back to the parking area, yet incredibly steep, narrow, and easy to get off-trail. There are no switchbacks to ease the grade of the trek, just straight up, up, and up some more. Over the mile-and-a-half vertical climb, we stopped to rest at least a dozen times before reaching the Kinsler Highway for a very welcomed mostly flat gravel road half-mile walk back to our car.

Wrap It Up -

If you're looking for a hiking experience that's sure to take your breath away, both literally and figuratively, the hike to the Daffodil Flats in the Linville Gorge should definitely be on your list. The hike is very challenging yet can be an incredibly rewarding experience, just remember to take it slow with as many breaks as you need. The experience and the sense of accomplishment you'll feel at the end of your journey make it all worth it.