Pond Mountain Trail

The Pond Mountain Trail provides the most direct access to the heart of the Pond Mountain Wilderness, climbing steeply from the Watauga Lake area to the rocky spine of Pond Mountain. This challenging trail gains over 2,000 feet in elevation, passing through multiple forest zones from hemlock-filled coves to wind-swept oak barrens near the summit. The Pond Mountain Wilderness protects one of the largest roadless areas in the Cherokee National Forest, and the trail offers true wilderness solitude. Rocky outcrops along the ridge provide panoramic views of Watauga Lake, Iron Mountain, and the surrounding Appalachian highlands. Backpackers use this trail to access remote camping areas deep in the wilderness.