Paddy Mountain Park – Cohosh Loop - The Sociable Adventurer

For the longest, most rewarding walk through the cove forest at Paddy Mountain Park, the Cohosh Loop is the trail to know. This 1.7-mile loop is the farthest trail from the parking lot, winding through rich cove forest deep in the Amphibolite Mountains just outside West Jefferson, NC. Named for the black cohosh wildflowers that grow throughout the area, it’s a peaceful, immersive hike that rewards visitors who want to go a little deeper into North Carolina’s High Country. Be sure to check out the YouTube video and pictures below to get a feel for the trail before you go — or to relive the visit after.

A Hike Named for the Forest Floor

The Cohosh Loop takes its name from black cohosh — a tall, white-spired wildflower that grows along the trail and across the broader cove forest, often blooming through summer alongside other Appalachian wildflowers. Combined with the tall shagbark hickories, oaks, and maples overhead, the result is a layered, deeply wooded experience that feels distinctly Southern Appalachian.

The trail is also one of the more lively stretches of the park for birdwatchers. The mix of mature trees, understory plants, and quiet stretches of woods makes it a regular sighting spot for woodpeckers, songbirds, and other High Country species. Move slowly and you’ll often hear more than you see.

How to Get There

The Cohosh Loop is the farthest trail from the parking lot, so reaching it takes a little planning. To get there, you’ll walk the short NPST Access Trail from the main park parking area, then continue along at least part of the Shagbark Hickory Loop before reaching the Cohosh Loop trailhead.

That extra approach is part of what makes the Cohosh Loop feel a little more like an adventure — by the time you reach the loop itself, you’re already a good ways into the woods, with the busier sections of the park well behind you.

What to Expect on the Trail

The Cohosh Loop is a 1.7-mile loop with gentle elevation changes throughout — part of the park’s total 350 to 370 feet of elevation gain across the broader trail network. The path is well-built, well-maintained, and rated moderately easy, making it a great pick for hikers who want a more substantial walk without committing to a true climb.

Plan on about 45 to 60 minutes for the loop itself, not counting time on the access trails. For visitors interested in the broader regional vision, the Cohosh Loop is also part of the new Northern Peaks State Trail, a 50-mile route that will eventually connect West Jefferson to Boone through Ashe and Watauga Counties.

Good to Know

Trail length: 1.7 miles (loop)
Difficulty: Moderately easy — gentle elevation changes throughout
Surface: Natural, well-maintained
Access: Required to walk the NPST Access Trail and at least part of the Shagbark Hickory Loop to reach the trailhead
Hike time: Approximately 45 to 60 minutes (excluding access trails)
Family- and dog-friendly — leashed dogs are welcome
Great for birdwatching in the cove forest setting
Part of the future Northern Peaks State Trail system
Located within Paddy Mountain Park, just outside West Jefferson, NC

A Paddy Mountain Highlight

The Cohosh Loop is the kind of hike that rewards visitors who want to spend a little more time in the woods. The cove forest is genuinely beautiful, the black cohosh wildflowers give the trail real seasonal character, and the longer approach makes the loop itself feel like a real escape from the busier sections of the park. Whether you’re a regular at Paddy Mountain Park, a serious hiker looking for the most substantial walk in the network, or a birdwatcher chasing High Country species, this loop is the one to put on your itinerary.