Sycamore Cove – Grassy Road – Starens Branch Loop

USGS Map: Pisgah Forest

Take Hwy. 276 west from Hwy. 64 past Sycamore Flats Picnic area and watch for trail head sign on right. Park past it on the left.

The trail climbs gradually along a brook, crossing it seven times, and is blazed Blue. It descends through a grove of pine and holly to the junction with Grassy Road and Starens Branch. Turn left onto Grassy Road to a point just before it crosses a flowing brook ( You may need a guide to find this site); turn into the woods here. You’ll pass through what was once a campsite and climb a knoll a little to your left. You are located between two brooks and surrounded by level tent spots.

For the return trip you have two alternatives. Take Grassy Road back to where you entered it and take Starens Branch (blue blazes) trail back down to 276 about 200 yards west of the Sycamore Cove entrance. Be careful on this trail since at one point it makes a sharp, almost reverse left where a white blazed trail goes straight ahead. Stay on the blue trail. Another alternative is to follow the Grassy Road further until you come to an old culvert. Take this white blazed trail to your left until it meets Starens Branch. Take the right, blue blazed fork and you have joined the first trail.