-BUILD A MOUNTAIN BIKE
& HIKING TRAIL-
On any given day you will see people hiking, walking their dogs, and mountain biking on this trail. Along with helping the community be active, the trail also supports the local economy by bringing in tourists from all over the country.
Jackrabbit Mountain Bike Trail Haysville, NC
Clay County
Bordering the beautiful Lake Chatuge and just outside of Nantahala National Forest is Jackrabbit Mountain bike and hiking trail. Located near the North Carolina-Georgia border, the trail draws locals and visitors from across the tri-state region. Jackrabbit Trail runs for 15 miles, with a 3.1-mile loop in the center of the forest and several trails stemming from the central loop, winding around the lake, through the woods, and up the mountain ridge.
The trail primarily engages mountain bikers, but is also accessible to walkers and hikers. It includes parking facilities, a bike gear repair station, trail heads, and signs identifying native plant species.
The trail system was created through a partnership between the Clay County Community Revitalization Association (CCCRA), Southern Appalachian Bicycling Association (SABA) and the U.S. Forest Service. CCCRA received funding from the U.S. Forest Service to initiate the trail, but community volunteers supported clearing and continue to maintain the trail.
Today, Jackrabbit Trail is visited daily by local hikers and out-of-town mountain bikers from all over the South. The trail has helped put Clay County on the map of outdoor adventure destinations around the country and has helped people get moving in the beautiful and historic outdoors.
Clay County’s total population is less than 11,000, and most land in the area is designated National Forest. Jackrabbit Trail is outside Nantahala National Forest, sitting right on the edge of a lake, just south of Haysville, the County seat. Jackrabbit Trail is easily accessible by car and is easy for all ability levels to enjoy, either by foot or bike. Clay County Communities Revitalization Association could not have developed the trail on their own. They partnered with the U.S. Forest Service and SABA to help fund and develop the new trail. Now, SABA promotes Jackrabbit Trail, and it’s used for races and trail riding. If you’re interested in building a walking or biking trail, consider building in an easy-to-access area from a town or major highway. Your trail doesn’t have to be tucked away in the forest to be successful.
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