The Fire's Creek Rim Trail, which is a Clay County North Carolina Hiking Trail , is an easy drive from Murphy, in Cherokee County.

Fire's Creek Rim Trail

Clay County, North Carolina

Length: 25.0  miles
Rating: Strenuous

This trail follows a high, elongated rim around Fires Creek. It features scenic views, heath and grassy bards, and a mixed hardwood forest filled with rhododendrons and wildflowers. 

The trail is blazed in blue, but signs and blazes are sparse. Several side trails provide opportunities for exploration or alternate access points. 

Most people begin the trail at the Fires Creek Picnic Area on the trail to Leatherwood Falls. For a short walk, the 0.7-mile loop trail turns left and returns to the parking lot; the Rim Trail bends right and climbs to the ridge. Water is infrequent along the trail, so be sure to carry an adequate supply.

Directions:

From Hayesville, on U.S. 64W, take NC 1301 northeast 3 miles to NC 1300. Then travel west 5.7 miles to FR 1344 (at Fire's Creek sign). Drive north 1.6 miles to Fires Creek parking area.