Paddy Mountain Park sits in the heart of Ashe County in West Jefferson, North Carolina, and gives hikers a peaceful getaway in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Its well-kept trails wind through thick hardwood forests, where wildflowers bloom in spring and the leaves turn bright colors in autumn. As you walk, you’ll hear leaves rustling and birds like the pileated woodpecker calling, making the hike relaxing. Sometimes, you might spot deer, foxes, or even black bears, which adds some excitement. With picnic spots at the trailhead and fresh mountain air all year, Paddy Mountain Park is a special place for anyone looking for both adventure and peace in Western North Carolina’s high country.
This guide covers each of the park’s trails in the order you will find them in the park to help you pick the best one for your next visit. The images below are clickable, allowing you to view more pictures and a YouTube video of each trail. We also have a quick list view available in a table format if that is more your style. Finally, we hiked all the trails in one day and wrote about our experience, which you can read more about here. Happy adventuring!
Table of Contents
1. NPST Access Trail
🥾 This gentle 0.3-mile path is the only access trail to the 3.4-mile loop system for extended hiking.
🌳 You can hike through Rich Cove Forest, where you’ll spot shagbark hickories, oaks, and maples.
🟩 Green blazes mark the trail and guide you to the Shag Bark Hickory and Cohosh loops.
🛤️ The trail will be a main starting point for the future 50-mile Northern Peaks State Trail.
🐕 The hike is dog-friendly, easy to walk, and great for birdwatching or a relaxed stroll.
🌱 The park supports conservation, protecting local plants and animals.
💸 The trail attracts thousands of visitors each year and boosts the local economy.
2. Shagbark Hickory Loop
🌳 The Shagbark Hickory Loop offers a peaceful 1.1-mile walk through Appalachian woods.
🟠 Orange trail markers make the moderate loop easy to follow.
🌲 The trail winds through forests filled with shagbark hickory, oak, and maple trees.
🦌 Nature highlights include crunching leaves, woodpeckers, and possible deer sightings.
🚶♀️ Access the loop via a short 0.3-mile green-marked NPST Access Trail.
🐦 Ideal for birdwatching, easy runs, or family walks with leashed dogs.
🔄 Hikers can extend their adventure by connecting to the Cohosh Loop.
🌤️ It’s a quiet, shaded escape from High Country crowds.
3. Cohosh Loop
🌲 Cohosh Loop offers a peaceful 1.7-mile hike through a lush forest.
🔵 The trail is marked with blue blazes and features a gentle elevation gain of 350–370 feet.
🌳 Hikers pass by shagbark hickories, oaks, maples, and black cohosh, among other wildflowers—making it a lively spot for birds.
🔁 Cohosh Loop is part of a stacked loop system that opened in spring 2025 and connects with the Shagbark Hickory and NPST Access Trails for flexible route options.
🚶 It’s the farthest loop from the parking lot, so you’ll walk through other trails to reach it, making for a satisfying overall journey.
🐦 Ideal for a quiet 45–60 minute walk, birdwatching, or leashed dog walks.
🥾 Cohosh Loop is also part of the new Northern Peaks State Trail network.