Getting started

Posted on by Xpress Contributor

To get to the Swannanoa Gap: Take I-40 East from Asheville to Exit 66 (Ridgecrest), follow the signs for the Ridgecrest Conference Center and continue on to the intersection with Mill Creek Road.

To reach the Kitsuma/Youngs Ridge trailhead: Drive up Old U.S. 70 to the intersection with Mill Creek Road. Drive straight across the intersection onto Royal Gorge Road. The parking area is at the end of the road.

To access the top end of the Point Lookout Greenway: Take Old U.S. 70 to the intersection with Mill Creek Road and turn left onto Mill Creek. After a little less than one mile, the road forks. The left fork, a gravel road, continues down the mountain; the right fork, closed off by a Forest Service gate, marks the start of the greenway. Park on the side of the road. You can also start at the lower end of the greenway by taking Old U.S. 70 West from Old Fort. The road dead-ends at the greenway gate.

To find the Old Fort Picnic Area: Take I-40 East to Exit 72 (Old Fort/Mountain Gateway Museum). Continue onto U.S. 70 East/West Main Street. After 0.4 miles, turn left onto Old U.S. 70 West/State Road 1400. The picnic area will be on the left.

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