Few People Know About This North Carolina Trail Covered In Mountain Laurel

If you're a flower lover, you must see this unknown natural wonder in North Carolina. Pink Beds Trail Loop, in Pisgah National Forest, offers bountiful blossoms and one of the state's best-kept secrets. This 6-mile hike near Brevard, North Carolina, features a covering of beautiful mountain laurels that shows up every spring and stays in bloom through early summer. For admirers of natural beauty, the two hours it takes to hike this easy route is worth the investment. Let's take a look at some of the gorgeous reasons to schedule this hike into your plans.

Every spring near the end of March brings the much anticipated newly sprouted flowers, such as this pretty field of them along the Pink Beds Trail.

But look at what's popping out around the edges.

The blooms from these shade-loving mountain laurel shrubs come in lovely clusters of pink, rose, or white flowers, usually in late May or early June.

This delightful scene is a surprising reward for signing up for the two-hour hike.

Breathe in the lovely smell that some say is similar to grape bubblegum. You may see a tiny bird or butterfly drinking nectar.

But don't get too close, because all parts of this plant are poisonous.

The delicate petals on these flowers have distinctive symmetrical markings looking like scenes of a kaleidoscope.

Look up too, as they can grow as high as 6.5 to 10 feet tall and could shoot up to as high as 40 feet.

To discover more about this natural wonder in North Carolina, visit the trail's website. If you go, please let us know about your experience in the comments below. And while you're in Brevard, find out why they call it the White Squirrel Capital of the World.