Saturday · February 4, 2023
Panther Top
Murphy, NC · 2.3 Miles
Panthertop Trail and More Riding
Follow Panthertop Rd to left onto usfs 307 Park at the kiosk - do not block gates. No amenities, day riding, there is water but bring a buck to get into the stream, horses can't get down to it. Miles of usfs roads & trails leading to feed lots and access to closed roads. Trails are out & back, highly reccomend the usfs visitor app to show where main roads & closed roads go, there is some/occassional water access sometimes seasonal wet weather branches, there is a trail going to the lake, not much shore line there when the lake is up for summer, winter the lake is dropped so there is nice shore line to ride. Hikers if you're going to the tower check the app and park at the closest closed gate. There is the stated 2.3 hike but if the first gate is closed it'll be an additional 3+ miles.
Panthertop Fire Tower
360° view from the tower, if you park at the kiosk 8ts an approximate 7 mile out & back ride.
Hiawassee Lake
Hiawassee Lake is a TVA (Tennessee Valley Authority) dam controlled Hiwassee River. This is the summer time level off of this trail.

My Trail Rating

Road to Trailhead

  • Fair - paved most of the way then dirt
  • Trailer Parking

  • Moderate - no trailer spots but room for trailers
  • Trailer Parking Size

  • 3-4 trailer
  • Trailhead Amenities

  • Creek for horse water
  • Trail Elevation Gain

  • Moderate - lots of sections with inclines / declines
  • Trail Obstacles

  • Other