The Davidson River within the Pisgah National Forest is home to several trout species. The North Slope ridge Trail follows the stream and has several campsites we’ll check out for our future camping trips!
We will hike the North Slope trail, it’s a neat little loop starting and ending at the Davidson River campground.
Starting at the campground’s amphitheater, the trail climbs an out-and-back portion to a split, turn right. The trail circumnavigates the campground near the bottom of the ridge, then joins with the Seely Memorial Trail. It reaches a junction with the Exercise trail; turn left to begin following the Davidson River upstream. This is where I’ll search for campsites.
The trail then pulls away from the river, steepens, goes around a ridge, and follows smaller stream up this may also be a nice fishing hole.
At the junction with North Slope Connector, turn left to stay on North Slope. The trail levels out and starts out on the North Slope Ridge off to the side. It dips into small coves goes out and around little ridges. There is one interesting bridge over a deep gully, and there are a couple of smaller log bridges and some neat mountain laurel and rhododendron tunnels.
The trail then descends moderately again to the amphitheater and back to the campground.
Directions:
Take US-23/74 towards Waynesville, take US-276 for 34.4 miles to Sycamore circle right then right again onto Davidson river circle. Turn right on the first cross street to stay on Davidson river circle. Parking on the right.