This Easy and Beautiful Hike at Max Patch Should Be Added to Your North Carolina Winter Bucket List This Year

Winter in North Carolina can be so rewarding. And if you’re anything like us, you love exploring the great outdoors during the snowy months. Hiking to the very top of a mountain bald in North Carolina is fulfilling for many reasons. The experience of the hike itself, combined with the views along the way and from the summit, and the overall accomplishment make the effort thrilling in more ways than one. If there's one mountain hike in the Tar Heel State that's doable in the winter for just about every skill level, it's hiking the summit trail(s) to Max Patch in Hot Springs NC. This is one of the best winter hikes in North Carolina by anyone's standards! So, come with us on this winter adventure on the Appalachian Trail, you're going to enjoy it!

Max Patch is a year-round favorite among hikers and those seeking a high spot from which to reconnect with Mother Nature and inhale some extremely fresh air, albeit, thin air.

At an elevation of 4,629 feet, Max Patch is only several hundred feet shy of being a mile high in elevation. The air may be thinner up here, but the views are aplenty! One of the great advantages of making this hike in the wintertime is that colder air typically affords much longer-range views. You can see forever from up here when the temps are cold.

But cold temps can make it a bit of a challenge to reach the Max Patch trailhead. Be sure to bring a vehicle that can pull the weight if the road is snow-covered and icy. If you've done winter hiking in North Carolina or anywhere before, you know this is something you must plan for. So, always pack your winter hiking gear because you’ll need them. Once parked, hop out and take a survey of the upcoming challenge.

The top of the mountain may seem a million miles away, but in fact, it's not. There are a few trails you can take to the summit: go left for a trailhead access (this trail totals 0.7 miles), or go right for a 0.4-mile trail, or go straight and shoot straight up the front side of the mountain. If you've ever been here during warm weather when Max Patch can be extremely crowded, then you already understand why there are so many ways to get to the top.

Take your time and enjoy the experience. If there is snow on the ground, then that just makes it all the better. Cold weather hiking in North Carolina is different from warm weather hiking in North Carolina, but many people find that they prefer it. Just be sure to watch your footing, as there may be ice underneath what looks like freshly fallen snow.

It's not hard to see why Max Patch is a favorite among visitors and natives alike. Even in the winter, this trail delivers satisfaction in so many ways! This is one of the best things to do in the winter in North Carolina especially if you love the great outdoors.

Have you hiked Max Patch during the wintertime? If not, be sure to add it to your bucket list this year. We think that it’s one of the best winter hikes in North Carolina, and chances are, you’ll love it too. 

For more information about the hike and locating the trailhead, visit the AllTrails listing for Max Patch Loop. Or it wouldn’t hurt to download AllTrails+ on your phone for access to offline maps and current trail conditions. 

After your visit, we'd love to see your images included in our Only In North Carolina Facebook thread! Also, tell us about your favorite places for winter hiking in North Carolina. 

Want more? Keep reading with this list of trails that are perfect for winter hiking in North Carolina!