Trace Ridge Dog-Friendly Trail: At about 5 miles round trip, Trace Ridge Trail climbs from the Mills River area up to the Beaver Dam Gap overlook on the Blue Ridge Parkway. The views from the Parkway are well worth the journey. For those that are wanting to cut the distance in half, there is always the option of leaving a car at the overlook parking lot on the Parkway. To begin the trail, Trace Ridge will head both directions out of the parking lot – take the one on the uphill side.
Directions: From Brevard head towards Mills River on NC 280, and make a left at the stoplight just before Ingles onto North Mills River Road. Then, take Wash Creek Road (FSR 5000) from the North Mills Recreation Area to a left onto Henderson Reservoir Road (FSR 142) at Wash Creek Horse Camp. The parking lot is at the end of Henderson Reservoir Road.
