Seven Islands Hiking
  • A vibrant field of colorful flowers, predominantly orange and pink, under a cloudy sky. A rustic barn sits in the background, evoking a serene, rural atmosphere.
    • A rustic wooden barn with a colorful geometric quilt pattern on the front stands under a clear blue sky, surrounded by lush greenery and a winding path.

    Hiking at Seven Islands  

    Over nine miles of scenic, mowed trails wind around the refuge, up the ridges, and down to the waterfront. Passing through native warm-season grass fields along the river and through wetland and wooded areas, the trails highlight the park's diverse habitats and are ideal for wildlife observation. Stretching from the parking area to the French Broad River is the 1.2-mile paved greenway. The greenway is mostly flat and ideal for bird watching as it is sandwiched between open fields of wildflowers and farmland.  

    Trails

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    • Bobwhite Accessible Trail

      Seven Islands State Birding Park
      Distance
      0.90 mi.
      Difficulty
      Moderate
      Surface
      Paved
      Availability
      Open
      Allowed
      Biking Hiking wheelchair

      Bobwhite Accessible Trail

      Seven Islands State Birding Park
      Distance
      0.90 mi.
      Difficulty
      Moderate
      Surface
      Paved
      Allowed
      Biking Hiking wheelchair
      Trail Type
      Information unavailable
      Elevation
      Gain 33.40'
      Loss 77.20'
      Grade
      Typical 2.4%
      Max 7.7%
      Cross Slope
      Typical 1.1%
      Max 9.3%
      Tread Width
      Typical 115"
      Minimum 56"
      Surface Type
      Asphalt 73.4%; Wood decking 18.7%; Rubber: 7.8%
      Obstructions Exist
      No obstructions present

      Hickory Ridge Loop Trail

      Seven Islands State Birding Park
      Distance
      0.80 mi.
      Difficulty
      Difficult
      Surface
      Natural
      Availability
      Open
      Allowed
      Hiking

      Hickory Ridge Loop Trail

      Seven Islands State Birding Park
      Distance
      0.80 mi.
      Difficulty
      Difficult
      Surface
      Natural
      Allowed
      Hiking
      Trail Type
      Information unavailable
      Elevation
      Gain 216.20'
      Loss 282.60'
      Grade
      Typical 11.7%
      Max 37.1%
      Cross Slope
      Typical 5.9%
      Max 23.9%
      Tread Width
      Typical 29"
      Minimum 12"
      Surface Type
      Soil 51.3%; Gravel 36.8%; Crushed stone 10%; Stairs 1.8%
      Obstructions Exist
      Stairs: 11 in tall; Stairs: 9 in tall; Tree root: 7 in tall

      Island Loop Trail

      Seven Islands State Birding Park
      Distance
      1.20 mi.
      Difficulty
      Difficult
      Surface
      Natural
      Availability
      Open
      Allowed
      Hiking

      Island Loop Trail

      Seven Islands State Birding Park
      Distance
      1.20 mi.
      Difficulty
      Difficult
      Surface
      Natural
      Allowed
      Hiking
      Trail Type
      Information unavailable
      Elevation
      Gain 55.70'
      Loss 86.00'
      Grade
      Typical 2.4%
      Max 17.0%
      Cross Slope
      Typical 1.7%
      Max 9.8%
      Tread Width
      Typical 38"
      Minimum 24"
      Surface Type
      Soil 89.8%; Sand 9%; Crushed stone 1.2%
      Obstructions Exist
      Tree root: 2 in tall; Rut: 2 in deep; Tree root: 2 in tall

      Kelly Lane Greenway

      Seven Islands State Birding Park
      Distance
      2.50 mi.
      Difficulty
      Moderate
      Surface
      Paved
      The mostly flat greenway stretches from the parking area to the French Broad River. Sandwiched between open fields of wildflowers and farmland, along with an elevated scenic view, it is ideal for bird watching.
      Availability
      Open Seasonal
      Allowed
      Biking Hiking

      Kelly Lane Greenway

      Seven Islands State Birding Park
      The mostly flat greenway stretches from the parking area to the French Broad River. Sandwiched between open fields of wildflowers and farmland, along with an elevated scenic view, it is ideal for bird watching.
      Distance
      2.50 mi.
      Difficulty
      Moderate
      Surface
      Paved
      Allowed
      Biking Hiking
      Trail Type
      Information unavailable
      Elevation
      Gain 63.80'
      Loss 89.50'
      Grade
      Typical 2.3%
      Max 7.0%
      Cross Slope
      Typical 1.9%
      Max 7.8%
      Tread Width
      Typical 177"
      Minimum 159"
      Surface Type
      Asphalt 100%
      Obstructions Exist
      No obstructions present

      Seclusion Bend Trail

      Seven Islands State Birding Park
      Distance
      2.70 mi.
      Difficulty
      Difficult
      Surface
      Natural
      This trail follows along the French Broad River with fields and forested habitats and passes open fields of wildflowers and farmland along Kelly Lane Greenway.
      Availability
      Open Seasonal
      Allowed
      Hiking

      Seclusion Bend Trail

      Seven Islands State Birding Park
      This trail follows along the French Broad River with fields and forested habitats and passes open fields of wildflowers and farmland along Kelly Lane Greenway.
      Distance
      2.70 mi.
      Difficulty
      Difficult
      Surface
      Natural
      Allowed
      Hiking
      Trail Type
      Information unavailable
      Elevation
      Gain 214.30'
      Loss 267.50'
      Grade
      Typical 3.2%
      Max 28.0%
      Cross Slope
      Typical 3.6%
      Max 23.8%
      Tread Width
      Typical 49"
      Minimum 12"
      Surface Type
      Mowed Grass 70.8%; Soil 24%; Sand 5.2%
      Obstructions Exist
      Tree roots: 7 in tall; Tree roots: 7 in tall; Tree stump: 11 in tall

      Seven Islands Loop Trail

      Seven Islands State Birding Park
      Distance
      1.55 mi.
      Difficulty
      Difficult
      Surface
      Natural
      This floodplain trail provides good viewing of spring and fall migrants along with river views.
      Availability
      Open Seasonal
      Allowed
      Hiking

      Seven Islands Loop Trail

      Seven Islands State Birding Park
      This floodplain trail provides good viewing of spring and fall migrants along with river views.
      Distance
      1.55 mi.
      Difficulty
      Difficult
      Surface
      Natural
      Allowed
      Hiking
      Trail Type
      Information unavailable
      Elevation
      Gain 58.20'
      Loss 49.90'
      Grade
      Typical 2.1%
      Max 23.6%
      Cross Slope
      Typical 3.0%
      Max 16.1%
      Tread Width
      Typical 44"
      Minimum 12"
      Surface Type
      Soil 53.8%; Mowed grass 37.4%; Grasses 4.6%; Crushed stone 3.8%; Wood decking 0.4%
      Obstructions Exist
      Tree roots: 3 in tall; Rocks: 2 in tall; Erosion: 2 in deep

      Upland Trail Inner Loop

      Seven Islands State Birding Park
      Distance
      1.15 mi.
      Difficulty
      Difficult
      Surface
      Natural
      This trail traverses a variety of upland habitats along a ridge including an upland pond and provides views of the French Broad River and Great Smoky Mountains.
      Availability
      Open Seasonal
      Allowed
      Hiking

      Upland Trail Inner Loop

      Seven Islands State Birding Park
      This trail traverses a variety of upland habitats along a ridge including an upland pond and provides views of the French Broad River and Great Smoky Mountains.
      Distance
      1.15 mi.
      Difficulty
      Difficult
      Surface
      Natural
      Allowed
      Hiking
      Trail Type
      Information unavailable
      Elevation
      Gain 230.10'
      Loss 260.70'
      Grade
      Typical 8.0%
      Max 37.2%
      Cross Slope
      Typical 5.1%
      Max 20.3%
      Tread Width
      Typical 57"
      Minimum 12"
      Surface Type
      Mowed grass 69.7%; Soil 15.8%; Crushed stone 14.5%
      Obstructions Exist
      Tree root: 10 in tall; Tree roots: 8 in tall; Tree root: 6 in tall

      Upland Trail Outer Loop

      Seven Islands State Birding Park
      Distance
      0.75 mi.
      Difficulty
      Difficult
      Surface
      Natural
      Availability
      Open
      Allowed
      Hiking

      Upland Trail Outer Loop

      Seven Islands State Birding Park
      Distance
      0.75 mi.
      Difficulty
      Difficult
      Surface
      Natural
      Allowed
      Hiking
      Trail Type
      Information unavailable
      Elevation
      Gain 65.40'
      Loss 153.70'
      Grade
      Typical 5.5%
      Max 23.8%
      Cross Slope
      Typical 3.9%
      Max 13.0%
      Tread Width
      Typical 49"
      Minimum 12"
      Surface Type
      Mowed grass 60.4%; Soil 39.6%
      Obstructions Exist
      Tree root: 2 in tall; Tree root: 2 in tall; Tree root: 2 in tall

    Trail Definitions

    • Cross Slope 

      Describes the degree of incline from one side of the trail path to the other; measured as a percentage. Cross slope aids in water drainage and impacts the overall trail stability.   

    • Grade  

      Describes the rise in elevation over a horizontal distance on the trail; measured as a percentage.  Higher percentages represent a steeper grade indicating a more challenging ascent or descent for hikers.    

    • Standard Ramp Grade

      Serves as a reference guide for the grade of the trail.  Standard Ramp Grade is 8.3% across all trail assessments.  

    • Surface 

      A characteristic of the trail expressed in terms of material type, grading, compaction, and roughness of the path. Possible surface types include soil, gravel, paved, and mulch.   

    • Tread Width    

      Represents the horizontal distance from one edge of the trail path to the other; measurements can vary.  Tread width helps to determine the amount of space a hiker has to pass through. Obstacles on the trail can alter the remaining tread width.   

    • Trail Types: Loop

      Trail returns at or near the point from which you started. 

    • Trail Types: Network 

      Offers multiple route options within one trail, and each route is connected

    • Trail Types: Out and Back

      This type of trail travels out to an endpoint where hikers turn around and travel back to the starting point.   

    • Trail Types: Stacked Loop

      A loop trail contained completely within another trail.   

    Learn More About Trail Accessibility Information

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