To get the most out of your vacation days advance planning is essential fun. Enhance the time spent daydreaming about your upcoming trip by reviewing these helpful travel websites.

Area Information
A very active and well maintained website, Welcome to Maggie Valley, developed by the Maggie Valley Chamber of Commerce, provides a wealth of information that is updated daily. This website provides local weather reports along with links to live webcams and a critical events calendar. It also provides tips for hikes, scenic drives, and entertainment within minutes of downtown Maggie.

The Haywood County Tourism Development Authority provides an extensive overview of activities in the Maggie Valley area. Developed locally by people in the know, it links to activities that are off the beaten path as well as information about the Blue Ridge Parkway, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and local waterfalls.

Guided Hikes
A visit to Maggie Valley/Waynesville would not be complete without a visit to see the elk of Cataloochee Valley. Cataloochee Valley Tours will take you there. April through October the valley is host to a variety of natural beauty. Along with the elk you can see unique wildflowers and birds in April and May and the show of the synchronous fireflies in May and June.

Motorcycle Tours
For motorcyclists or for anyone who wants to find great loop tours in the valley check out America Rides Maps. Wayne Busch, “The Map Guy,” has covered thousands of miles to develop maps that take riders on the most scenic and challenging rides in the area. The website provides custom designed maps, tutorials, and links to Wayne’s blog.

Fly Fishing
For beginners to experience fishermen, the people at Waynesville Fly Shop are your connection to successfully fishing the Haywood County area.

This nationally maintained website Trails.com should be a go to for anyone who enjoys outdoor activities. With detailed information on trail heads and maps for hikers, bicyclists, campers, scenic drivers, Trails.com is an essential resource for planning a visit to Haywood County.

Despite being located on the Blue Ridge Parkway at Mile Marker 458.2, you might say Heintooga Ridge Road is off the beaten trail. Found near the entrance of the Parkway from the North Carolina end, Heintooga Ridge Road links the Blue Ridge with the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

During our outing we encountered three elk who had wandered over from the Cataloochee side of the park. Grazing along the side of the ride, the elk provided a great photo opportunity. Along with the elk, a flock of wild turkeys were foraging along the roadside.

After taking advantage of the roadside photo op, we continued on to Flat Creek Trail to take in the view of the Smokies from Heintooga Overlook. The overlook is situated just a few yards from the parking area. The trail head has a lovely picnic area with numerous tables plus a well-maintained convenience station. The overlook has two comfortable benches to enjoy the view. Sunsets and sunrises would be spectacular. The birding opportunities are some of the best in the area with a chance to see Broad-winged Hawk; Ruffed Grouse; Black-billed Cuckoo; Northern Saw-whet Owl; Yellow-bellied Sapsucker; Least Flycatcher.

Max Patch is a hike that should be on every visitor’s to-do list. The novice hiker has the option of an easy to moderate 1.4 mile loop with a magnificent payoff. The summit affords the hiker 360 degree long range views. If you are looking for more of a challenge, there is a wider loop that encompasses 2.6 miles of trail. Finally, the experienced hiker can choose the Cherry Creek Trail/Appalachian Trail Loop. All trails lead to the summit for a panoramic experience you will not forget.

A bald, Max Patch, is covered by beautiful native grasses. A mystery to scientists, these balds are a conundrum. The moderate climates should support heavy tree growth but none exists. However, this lack of trees at the summit results in tremendous views and a great place to enjoy a picnic.

Hiking Max Patch takes you into the Pisgah National Forest by way of Interstate 40 west when coming from Maggie Valley, NC. Take exit 7 to access Cold Springs Creek Road and turn to your right. A hundred yards down Cold Springs Creek Road ends and becomes F.R. (Fire Road) 148, a gravel road. Travel 6.1 miles to S.R. 1182. At this writing the sign marking the left turn onto S.R. 1182, Max Patch Road, is down so keep track of your mileage. S.R. 1182 ends at the parking lot, a 2 mile ride.

In and around Haywood County birders will find three excellent viewing opportunities.

Devil’s Courthouse Trail, located near Milepost 422.2 of the Blue Ridge Parkway, provides an opportunity to view the Peregrine Falcon, Alder Flycatcher, and Northern Saw-whet Owl. The .4 of a mile hike to a rocky outcrop at 5,720 feet is very steep but short. The long range views are spectacular. The best time for birding is late spring through early summer. You’ll find details of this hike on this page at Trails.com.

Heintooga Spur Road is located on a spur of the Blue Ridge Parkway at Wolf Laurel Gap (Milepost 458.2). In this spruce fir and hardwood forest, you will find a variety of species common to elevations of 3,800 to 5,400 feet. For a list of the birds and hiking details check out this page at Trails.com. The best viewing takes place between mid-April to mid-October.

If you are searching for Golden-winged Warblers and Least Flycatchers, Max Patch Road and Bald provides an excellent environment for these species. Located off Interstate 40 at exit 7, an easy hike takes you to the top of the bald. The 360 degree long range views entice you to sit and stay awhile so bring a blanket and a snack. Although the views are always worth the trip, the birding opportunities are best between mid-April and June. See details of this hike on this page at Trails.com.

Need a place to stay? Check out Mystic Mountain Cabin in Maggie Valley, NC within 30 minutes of each of these locations. The front porch is a great place to sit back and watch the birds come to you.

In Western North Carolina, Fall puts on a beautiful show. In Haywood County there are fabulous overlooks on the Blue Ridge and wonderful hikes through the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Pisgah National Forest.

But, if you just want to kick back, relax and enjoy Fall’s splendor from a rocking chair porch, Mystic Mountain Cabin is the perfect place to do that.

The views surround the house and you can enjoy the beauty from every room.

If and when you feel rested up enough, there are several wonderful hikes within walking distance of the cabin. Hike up to a small waterfall that cascades along a wooden staircase to the water’s source.

Or take a hike up Creekside to the top of Killian Knob to overlook Maggie Valley.

The road to Cataloochee Valley can be intimidating. While totally doable, the ride takes you from the valley floor on the Jonathan Creek side of Haywood County, NC, up and over Cataloochee Mountain by way of a gravel road, and down the other side to the floor of Cataloochee Valley.

Cataloochee Valley Tours offers a better way. Not only do they provide transportation but also provide a tour conducted by a University of Florida certified naturalist. Cataloochee has much beauty to behold. That beauty can only be enhanced through the perspective of an expert on the valley, its inhabitants, and its history.

Every season has something special to offer. Check out the schedule of activities that vary with the time of year.

In Haywood County, traveling along historic and scenic Rt 215 leads to the Mount Hardy Gap Entrance to the Blue Ridge Parkway, the most convenient access to Sam Knob. What a great way to arrive at this hike! The Mt. Hardy Gap Entrance places you at MP 423.2 only 3.2 miles from Sam Knob (MP 420). You will follow Fire Road 816 for about a mile where it ends at a parking lot. After parking, walk towards the end of the paved road to the dirt trail. The trailhead, one of the highest in Western North Carolina, is to your right.

A heads up here on the trailhead. The hiking books that we consulted along with the online sites evaluated this hike as moderate and it was. But, we weren’t looking for a narrow trailhead that started an immediate ascent. The trailhead adjoins Art Loeb Spur, a horse and hiking trail, immediately to the left of Sam Knob Trail. Art Loeb-another great hike for a different day.

Once you start your ascent, the adventure begins. The narrow trail takes you up through an alpine type forest with exotic grasses, raspberry, strawberry and blackberry bushes, and wonderful banks of wildflowers. Just when we were looking for a break in the action, we happened upon this spectacular rock formation where we could sit down and take in the view.

We skipped the last 50 feet to the summit because we hiked quite a ways along Art Loeb Spur by mistake. But, we still enjoyed some very expansive views and were pleased with our decision to hike along the trail to Sam Knob on the Blue Ridge.

With a 46 mile stretch of the Blue Ridge Parkway crossing Haywood County, the county boasts the highest and most natural elevations. Access to the parkway at 4 points throughout Haywood County provides the opportunity to complete your choice of 4 loop tours.

Maggie Valley Loop
If your time is limited, the Maggie Valley Loop can be completed in as little as an hour. To access the Maggie Valley entrance to the parkway at Milepost 455.7, Soco Gap, you will cruise through Maggie with its unique gift shops and craft stores highlighting the work of local artisans. Grab a homemade meal from a local restaurant. No chain restaurants here.

The Maggie Valley 19 Loop will take you past Waterrock Knob known for its spectacular sunsets and panoramic views. Along with a short but moderate hike to the crest of the knob, this stop along the Blue Ridge pleases both hikers and non-hikers alike. Exit at Balsam Gap, Milepost 443.1.

Waynesville 276 Loop
The Waynesville Loop includes the most views and hikes on the Haywood County section of the Blue Ridge. And with a short backtracking to Milepost 408.6, you can visit the Pisgah Inn not only a wonderful spot to enjoy a delicious meal but another panoramic vista. For hikers, from the Inn you are only minutes from the trail that takes you on a moderate hike to the top of Pisgah Mountain.

The drive to the Blue Ridge entrance takes you through historic downtown Waynesville, the county seat, founded in 1810. Plan to take a stroll down Main Street. Access the Waynesville Loop from 276 South at Milepost 412.2, Wagon Road Gap, and exit the Parkway at Balsam Gap, Milepost 443.1. This 30 mile ride along the Blue Ridge provides a number of scenic views and hikes. Keep your eyes peeled for Looking Glass Rock Overlook(MP 417), Graveyard Fields Overlook (MP 418.8), Sam Knob Trail(MP 420), Devil’s Courthouse Trail (MP 422.4) and Haywood-Jackson Overlook (MP 431).

Canton/Clyde 215 Loop
Begin this tour at the Mt. Hardy Gap Entrance at Milepost 423.2 off N.C. 215. Take note that N.C. 215 itself is a heritage scenic byway. Along this part of the parkway, you will not want to miss the Haywood-Jackson Overlook. This overlook adjoins the Haywood Balsam hike that takes you to the highest elevation overlook on the parkway at 6053′. This fairly easy hike goes from 6020′ to 6053′. Exit at Balsam Gap, Milepost 443.1.

Your route to Mt. Hardy Gap will take you through the historic town of Clyde which boasts the Shook House Museum. In downtown Canton, you will find some fun shops and restaurants to get a bite before you begin your ride.

Maggie Valley/Waynesville Loop
Beginning in Maggie Valley at the Soco Gap entrance at Milepost 455.7and exiting at Milepost 412.2, this is the longest loop and all inclusive of the others. You could easily make this a day long drive starting with breakfast in Maggie and a tour of a few of the shops.

Make stops at Waterrock Knob (Milepost 451) for a near 360 degree view, Haywood-Jackson Overlook (Milepost 431) for the highest elevation views, and end with the breath taking views of Looking Glass Rock Overlook. Complete your tour with lunch or dinner at a local restaurant in Waynesville.

With limitless activities in Maggie Valley and the surrounding areas of Haywood County, the choices can overwhelm first time visitors. Repeat visitors also can use guidance in seeking out unique things to do in the area. A few good guide books certainly can help you make the most of vacation time. Wireless internet and a comfortable work area to plan your travels also contributes to a fun time in the Smokies.

These are a sampling of the guide books that you will find at our vacation rental cabin, Mystic Mountain Cabin.

North Carolina’s Best Wildflowers Hikes by Kevin Adams has always been my favorite. The hikes provide a variety of options for the novice to the experienced hikers. Plus it is almost inevitable that the wildflower hikes will also include waterfalls, streams, old growth forests and the like. Organized by the months of the year, you can always find a wonderful hike but April is by far the best month of all in Maggie Valley.

Best Hikes of the Pisgah has several fun hikes. We did the Lovers’ Leap hike in Hot Springs and the Max Patch hike in Haywood County. Both of these hikes provide spectacular views- Lovers’ Leap of Hot Springs and the French Broad River and Max Patch of miles of multiple mountain ranges. The only caveat with this book – you need to double check on directions to the actual trail head.

You can’t go wrong with any of these books. Purchase them in advance of your trip or stay with us at Mystic Mountain Cabin and put them to work for you after you arrive.

Mark, the dedicated jogger in our home state of Florida, replaces jogging with ambitious hiking when we vacation in Maggie. He found this wonderful hike right off of Creekside Drive where Mystic Mountain Cabin is located.

The hike starts out at the driveway going up Creekside, this is a steep incline, up to Saddle. Once you take a right turn onto Saddle, the level of difficulty eases back. You can enjoy long range views of the valley along Johnathan Creek as you follow a dirt road through Killian Knob. As the trail winds back down to the lower elevation, you end up at a spot where a stream tumbles and rumbles down the mountainside. At the top of a wooden stairway that runs along the stream stands a great little deck with benches. When you continue on down past the stream, you arrive back at Country Club Drive which wraps you back to Riddle Cove Road and back to Creekside. This wonderful little loop takes a minimum of 45 minutes, longer if you explore the stream.