Max Patch
A grassy summit on the Appalachian Trail, with an open, bald grassland offering 360-degree views of the Great Smoky Mountains and the Blue Ridge.
Max Patch sits at about 1,400 m. Its summit is a large grass slope shaped by grazing, and the Appalachian National Scenic Trail runs across the top. A walk of about 1 km from the parking lot brings you to the summit, and sunrise, sunset and summer stargazing are all popular. Because of heavy foot traffic, camping and campfires on the summit are now prohibited, and group sizes are limited. The last stretch is a gravel mountain road that requires four-wheel drive or careful driving in rain or snow. It is about 1 hour 15 minutes from Asheville.
Opening hours
All day
Nearby sights
- Mount Pisgah
- Botanical Gardens at Asheville
- River Arts District
- Basilica of St. Lawrence
- Grove Arcade
- Omni Grove Park Inn
- Thomas Wolfe Memorial
- South Slope Brewery District