Max Patch: A Must-See View Along the Appalachian Trail

Easy hike. Epic views. Need I say more?

If you are in search of one of the BEST experiences in the exciting state of North Carolina, you need to add a visit to Max Patch to your trip. This mountain bald is likely the single most popular and beloved Appalachian Trail hike in North Carolina. No matter the time of day or time of the year, the 360-degree views from the top will take your breath away. Max Patch is also one of the few popular trails that remains open during the winter!

Location

Max Patch is located on the Appalachian Trail in the Pisgah National Forest. While the mountain bald is located in North Carolina, you can see incredible panoramic mountain views of North Carolina (Blue Ridge) and Tennessee (Smoky). Bonus: Max Patch is completely free to visit!

Driving There

The only thing that is tricky about reaching Max Patch is driving up the mountain. If you’re coming from Waynesville/Maggie Valley or Asheville, it will take 45 minutes to an hour to simply reach the parking lot of Max Patch from the main roads. The drive up is rugged and filled with potholes (+ snow in the winter). I don’t see how any car other than a 4-wheel drive or similar can peacefully make it up to Max Patch.

Don’t get me wrong, though ~ driving up the mountain is very memorable! My friend and I were laughing practically the whole way because of how bumpy it was. Plus, there is beautiful scenery all around you.

The breathtaking views waiting for you at the top make the rugged mountain road 100% worth the effort! It’s all part of the experience. If you have faith in your car, take the drive slow and you’ll make it there & back in one piece 🙂

Parking: As with any popular destination, arrive early to snag a parking spot. We visited in December, which is considered low-season. We had no issue finding a parking spot mid-afternoon on a Monday. The trail is extra busy during the spring & summer months, so pack some patience while waiting for a spot to open up!

The Hike & Difficulty Level

Compared to most hikes, it doesn’t take much physically to reach the gorgeous mountaintop. Depending on the route you take, the roundtrip hike from the parking lot to the top & back is around 1.5 miles. For avid hikers, the trail is a breeze. For people like myself who really only hike on trips, I would say this hike is easy to moderate.

It is a steady incline as you walk the trail, but nothing too severe. The only reason I found the hike a bit harder than expected was because I had to hike through snow (& had never done so before). Even with the slippery trail, however, the walk was pretty easy! Not to mention, the snow was absolutely gorgeous to photograph…

Leave No Trace

Unfortunately, due to increased popularity, Max Patch receives some visitors who do not abide by the Leave No Trace ethics. Help reduce your impact on the site by following Leave No Trace Principles, including taking home all trash and disposing of human waste properly. See their website for more information.

Amazing Panoramic Views

If I haven’t made myself clear yet, Max Patch offers some of the best landscapes in the state. At 4,629 feet, there is a reason why so many people dream of eloping at Max Patch…it truly is paradise.

Photography tip: Time your visit during sunrise or sunset to get magical lighting in your photos.

Photography Sessions

Max Patch is one of my all-time favorite locations for photography sessions. In fact, many couples choose to get married or elope at the top of this scenic bald. When you visit, you might see a proposal take place or even a photoshoot happening. If you dream of having your pictures taken with a stunning mountain backdrop, consider a professional shoot at Max Patch!

Did you know that I am a destination photographer? Yep, Ginny Stephens Photography! Though I am located in Jacksonville, Florida, I travel anywhere for weddings, engagement sessions, elopements, & more. Here are engagement photos I took at Max Patch…aren’t the couple + the view beautiful?

Interested in a destination session? Click HERE.

Overall…

Finally being able to experience Max Patch myself was a wonderful memory that I will never forget. The only thing I’m upset about was that I waited this long to visit! The fact that the trail remains open year-round is one of the biggest reasons why it is so popular, especially for photoshoots.

Is Max Patch in North Carolina now on your bucket list?

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If you love these photos, you can get them exclusively printed from my print shop!