Point Lookout Trail In Old Fort, NC For Scenic Mountain Biking

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Uncover the beautiful Point Lookout Trail in Old Fort, NC – a paved and scenic mountain biking trail to an overlook near Asheville, North Carolina.

As Asheville locals, we love day-tripping around Western North Carolina, especially to small mountain towns like Old Fort.

Asheville to Old Fort, NC is about a 30-minute drive, making it perfect for hitting those famous Old Fort mountain biking trails.

Of course, you can hike the trails too – just be cautious of quickly-moving bikers.

One of the most scenic mountain trails in the area includes Point Lookout, a paved portion of the Fonta Flora Trail, also sometimes referred to as the “Point Lookout Greenway Bike Trail.”

Located in the Pisgah National Forest, find a steep elevation gain, plenty of vistas, and a scenic overlook with benches.

As low-key/average mountain bikers – we are not hardcore or that technically skilled – peruse our personal guide to navigating Old Fort’s Point Lookout Trail.

See where to park as well as where to pick up the Point Lookout Old Fort Trailhead. Learn what to expect and where to celebrate with food and beer afterward.

Please remember that we are sharing our personal experiences as a tipsy travel writer with her pilot hubby and yours may be slightly different, especially if you are an advanced mountain biker.

Let’s get started, and be sure to tell us how your ride went in the comments.

Explore all of our Old Fort area travel guides.

Mountain Biking Scenic Point Lookout Trail in Old Fort NC featured photo with wooden bench, bike leaning on bench, and overlook to blue, gray and green mountains with blue cloudy sky — Enjoy a morning mountain biking Old Fort’s scenic Point Lookout Trail followed by drinks and food in Old Fort and Black Mountain, NC.

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Table of Contents

Point Lookout Trail, NC Biking Guide

Get Started With These Trail Stats

Fonta Flora State Trail Point Lookout in Old Fort NC with sign at top of the point with red feather and white brunette female with deep mint green mountain bike standing in front of it — Grab quick and easy trail stats for what to expect and where to park to access the Point Lookout Old Fort Trailhead.

Fonta Flora State Trail Old Fort NC trailhead marker on pavement with red feather and with white brunette male on mountain bike with helmet on paved pathway — Grab quick and easy trail stats for what to expect and where to park to access the Point Lookout Old Fort Trailhead.

Distance From Asheville, North Carolina: 30 minutes; 27 miles

Key Addresses:

Point Lookout Trail, Trailhead Old Fort, NC – Park in the Old Fort Picnic area. Then, turn left on the road, and continue up the private road to the trailhead; this is our preferred access point to start at the bottom of the trail, working our way up.

Old Fort Picnic Area – Located at 2415 State Rd 1400, Old Fort, NC 28762; typically open April 1 through November 1; this is our preferred parking lot.

Andrews Geyser – Located at 2111 Mill Creek Rd, Old Fort, NC 28762, this lot with a small park and fountain is about 2.5 miles back down Mill Creek Road to the Point Lookout Trailhead close to the Old Fort Picnic Area. Use this lot when the picnic area is closed.

Point Lookout Trail, Ridgecrest Trailhead – Located around Mill Creek Road, use this access point if you want to descend the Point Lookout Trail.

Kitsuma Trailhead, Ridgecrest – Located at 209 Royal Gorge Rd, Old Fort, NC 28762, access a much more difficult trail that can be combined with Point Lookout to form a loop.

Difficulty Level: Moderate to difficult for “average” bikers with around a 900-foot elevation gain; skilled mountain bikers will find this trail easier, though.

Length: About 3.6 miles each way for just over 7 miles total; expect to add on distance based on where you park.

Type Of Trail: Out and back; single-track mountain biking trail; dog-friendly but exert caution with bikers; follows part of the Fonta Flora Trail with red feather markers.

Where To Stay Nearby: Book your stay in Old Fort, NC, or head to Asheville.

Trail Highlights

Point Lookout in Old Fort North Carolina with deep mint green bike leaning on a wooden bench with state and American flag in background with informational trail board, green trees, and overcast sky — Point Lookout in Old Fort is perfect for outdoor adventurers seeking a scenic mountain trail.

Switchback on Point Lookout Trail in Old Fort NC which paved single track trail with gray shoulder surrounded by green trees — Point Lookout in Old Fort is perfect for outdoor adventurers seeking a scenic mountain trail.

The Point Lookout Greenway Bike Trail is a single-track, paved pathway perfect for beginner to intermediate bikers.

Advanced bikers will also get in a great workout and many prefer to do the Kitsuma and Point Lookout Loop (the MTB Project has great information).

While riders can access the trail from the top down, we suggest starting at the bottom.

Park at the seasonal Old Fort Picnic Area – making the ride closer to 8 miles total – and work your way up the 900-foot elevation gain via a series of switchbacks.

Point Lookout Trail Old Fort North Carolina paved pathway with shoulder, leaves on ground, and green trees surrounding it

Point Lookout Trail Old Fort NC with wooden bench, bike leaning on bench, and overlook to blue, gray and green mountains with blue cloudy sky

Along the way, enjoy scenic mountain viewpoints, benches, and pull-over shoulders until you reach the trail’s namesake, Point Lookout.

On a clear day, Point Lookout promises sprawling views of Royal Gorge. Relax on a wooden bench, read the informational trail board, and spy the state and American flag.

Bikers may also continue further up the trail to Mill Creek Road and Ridgecrest/U.S. Highway 70.

Then, reward yourself with a fun and speedy descent back down the mountain. Ride with caution to avoid a collision.

A Note For Beginner Bikers

Old Fort NC Point Lookout Trail Overlook with green trees and white, gray, and ombre blue hued mountains in the distance with overcast sky — It’s best to warm up for the season before immediately heading up a mountain…

Point Lookout Trail Scenic Mountain Overlook wooden bench with Christine, a white brunette female with blonde highlights, laying on her back in workout clothes with hands on forehead — It’s best to warm up for the season before immediately heading up a mountain…

We suggest accessing the Point Lookout Trail Old Fort Trailhead from the Old Fort Picnic Area versus the top Ridgecrest Trailhead in case you get tired going up; you can always turn around and glide back down the pathway.

However, if you start at the top, you have to end with a grueling climb back up, which might be tough if you have already exceeded your personal limits.

Trust us, these mountains can kick your butt – and we’ve called a ride or two mid-way in Asheville’s Bent Creek Experimental Forest.

Short and paved sounds easy until your legs are jelly.

Trail Safety Tips

Fonta Flora State Trail Point Lookout Old Fort NC Marker with paved single track pathway surrounded by green grass and trees with large trail sign with red feather — The Point Lookout Greenway Bike Trail is full of blind spots and tight switchbacks. Please exert caution.

Walkers should stay to the left of trails and roads
Riders should stay to the right of roads and trails; there are blind spots, especially around tight switchbacks
When passing others, announce yourself, usually stating “left” or using a bike bell/horn; the same goes for stopping; politely but loudly announce, “stopping”
Do not approach or feed wildlife
Take all trash with you, and leave no trace
Cellular service is iffy and will come in and out; have all maps and information pre-downloaded with screenshots

More Old Fort Point Lookout Trail FAQs

Old Fort Picnic Area with concrete picnic table surrounded by green trees — Park at the Old Fort Picnic Area for the easiest access to the Point Lookout Trailhead. There are very basic restrooms here. Bike up a private road to the marked trailhead. Or, park at Andrews Geyser and tack on a few more miles to the trailhead.

Point Lookout Trail Trailhead Old Fort NC with white male in helmet on mountain bike riding up private road to trailhead with grass and trees on either side and overcast cloudy sky — Park at the Old Fort Picnic Area for the easiest access to the Point Lookout Trailhead. There are very basic restrooms here. Bike up a private road to the marked trailhead. Or, park at Andrews Geyser and tack on a few more miles to the trailhead.

Is the Point Lookout Trail suitable for families?

Because of the trail’s 900-foot elevation gain, high speed on the way down, and gentle but still sharp switchbacks, the trail isn’t the most family-friendly for biking with young children. Hiking a short portion would be easier.

Is the trail accessible year-round?

The Point Lookout Trail is best accessed during the spring into fall, and the paved trail is open year-round. Just beware of snow and ice. However, the Old Fort Picnic Area parking lot is closed in the winter, and you will have to use alternative parking lots.

Are there any restroom facilities along the trail?

There are no restroom facilities along the Point Lookout Trail. In the spring through fall, we recommend using the vault toilets at the Old Fort Picnic Area – they are basic but have TP.

Are there any picnic areas along the trail?

Along with the Old Fort Picnic Area, find benches to enjoy a scenic mountain picnic. Take all of your trash with you.

How do you get to the Point Lookout Trailhead in Old Fort from Asheville?

Take I-40 East to Exit 72 (Old Fort/U.S. Highway 70). Continue on until State Rd 1400/Old US 70 W, and take a left. Go about 2.5 miles to the Mill Creek Road intersection (you’ll see a small bridge & signs for Andrews Geyser); the Old Fort Picnic Area will be on the left.

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Fun Things To Do Nearby

Explore Downtown Old Fort

Hillman Beer in Old Fort, NC with white hand holding up burger with lettuce, mayo, mustard, and pickles in front of plate with kale salad and pickle carrot salad — After hitting the trails, head to walkable Downtown Old Fort to spy cabins from the 1800s and a former train depot.

Arrowhead Gallery & Studios in Downtown Old Fort NC with white hand holding up a sculpture of a tree with a rock base, orange gemstones, and twisted wire for branches — After hitting the trails, head to walkable Downtown Old Fort to spy cabins from the 1800s and a former train depot.

Old Fort makes for a terrific Asheville day trip, and we highly suggest starting your morning off on the Point Lookout Trail followed by lunch and craft beer at Downtown Old Fort’s Hillman Beer.

(However, you might want to picnic at the Old Fort picnic area too).

We always reward ourselves with a burger, and the airy Old Fort taproom sits along a peaceful creek.

Hillman Beer is also one of the best Asheville breweries and serves up some of our favorite ESBs, Kolschs, and Brown Ales.

For pub grub, enjoy burgers, sandwiches, wraps, rice bowls, wings, pretzels, and salads. Hillman Beer also has gluten-free bread, cider, seltzer, and wine (we are a half-Celiac household).

Afterward, explore more of Old Fort, including shopping for local art at Arrowhead Gallery & Studios and dropping into the free Mountain Gateway Museum to celebrate and learn more about Appalachia heritage.

Book your stay in Old Fort, NC here.

The Blue Ridge Traveler Visitor Center | 91 Catawba Ave, Old Fort, NC 28762

More Old Fort Biking Trails

Old Fort Point Lookout Trail and Fonta Flora Trail in NC with red feather stuck to an information trail sign board at scenic overlook with wooden benches and larger trail marker in background — That red feather can only mean one thing…

Pisgah Point Lookout and Fonta Flora Trail in Old Fort NC with paved single track pathway with side fence with red feather marker surrounded by green trees and hills — That red feather can only mean one thing…

It’s no secret that the Blue Ridge Mountains and Pisgah National Forest are filled with great mountain biking trails for all skill levels.

A few more Old Fort, NC hiking and biking trails include:

Fonta Flora State Trail – Running from Asheville to Morganton – with portions still in the works – The Fonta Flora State Trail includes a loop through Lake James and crosses into Old Fort. Find signs and one parking lot for the trail in Old Fort’s Hillman Beer lot. The Point Lookout Trail also falls on the Fonta Flora State Trail.
Kitsuma Trail – Located off of Old US-70/Ridgecrest, the Kitsuma Trail is a hard switchback climb with a terrifying descent meant for advanced mountain bikers. Bikers can pair Kitsuma with the Point Lookout Trail to form a loop. We have talked to bikers who have done this loop – and loved it – but it’s far too technical for us right now.
Heartbreak Ridge – With a “crushing climb” and fast descents, Heartbreak Ridge is another advanced trail. The MTB Project has great information and footage.
Old Fort Gateway Trails – New as of 2022, enjoy 6 miles of multi-use trails for bikers, hikers, and horseback riders. Find biking paths for all ages and skill levels.

Read more about the best hiking trails near Asheville that we enjoy and frequent as locals.

Hike Catawba Falls*

Catawba Falls Near Asheville NC with cascading multiple-tiered waterfall with greenery — Visit one of the area’s most popular hikes, Catawba Falls.

*Temporarily closed for maintenance 2022/2023

One of the most popular waterfall hikes near Asheville, Catawba Falls is under a 15-minute drive from the Point Lookout Trailhead in Old Fort.

A moderately short and easy hike, great for families and pets, trek to the cascading 100-foot waterfall via a less than 3-mile roundtrip out and back.

This scenic trail is filled with cascading streams and off-shoots, great if you want to chill out on a rock or two. The trail can grow pretty muddy and slippery, so please exert caution.

Catawba Falls | 3074 Catawba River Rd, Old Fort, NC 28762

Visit Black Mountain

Oak and Grist Distillery in Black Mountain, NC with white male and female doing a cheers with yellow and orange cocktails in low ball glasses with orange and lemon garnishes — Head to Black Mountain for cocktails at Oak & Grist, vegan and GF donuts at Dough House, lunch at Cousins Cuban Cafe, coffee from Dripolator, and book shopping at Sassafras on Sutton.

Dripolator Coffeehouse Black Mountain NC Latte with pink rose dried rose petals on top in blue cup sitting on wooden table with plant in background — Head to Black Mountain for cocktails at Oak & Grist, vegan and GF donuts at Dough House, lunch at Cousins Cuban Cafe, coffee from Dripolator, and book shopping at Sassafras on Sutton.

Explore more fun cities and mountain towns around Asheville and Old Fort, including Black Mountain.

Black Mountain to Old Fort, NC is only a ten-minute drive, and Black Mountain is full of things to do, including a walk around Lake Tomahawk.

Grab a bite to eat at local Black Mountain restaurants like The Trailhead, Cousins Cuban Cafe, and Berliner Kindl German Restaurant.

Or, brewery hop at Pisgah Brewing, Black Mountain Brewing, and Lookout Brewing Company. Not to mention those stellar cocktails at Oak & Grist, a fabulous AVL distillery.

Peruse all of our Black Mountain travel guides here; it’s one of our favorite towns in WNC.

Save our Pisgah Point Lookout Trail Guide For Later:

Old Fort Point Lookout Trail Guide NC Pinterest Pin with image of scenic mountain overlook with green trees and blue ombre hued mountains along with photo of deep mint green bike leaning on a wooden bench at overlook, and a photo of paved single track path with sign saying Fonta Flora Trail Point Lookout with red feather on top — The NC trails can get confusing. Save our Old Fort Point Lookout Trail guide for later, and mountain bike like a local with Uncorked Asheville.

Have you ridden the Point Lookout Trail? What did you think?

What are your favorite biking and hiking trails in Old Fort, NC?

Have you hiked or biked the Point Lookout Trail? How was it? Any more pointers for our readers? Let us know in the comments!

More Nearby Areas To Explore:

Weaverville (35 minutes)
Asheville (30 minutes)
Blue Ridge Parkway (30 to 40 minutes, including AVL, Little Switzerland, & Linville Falls)
Lake James (35 minutes; read more about all of WNC’s lakes)

Christine Frascarelli

Christine (pronouns: she/her) is the owner and lead writer of Uncorked Asheville. After falling in love with those gorgeous Blue Ridge Mountains, Christine and her husband Tom decided to call Asheville, North Carolina home. When her pointy Italian nose isn’t stuck in a book, Christine is adopting all of the kitties, getting lost in the forest, and drinking an ESB. She has a BA in English and History from Smith College, her MLIS from USF-Tampa, and is a former U.S. Fulbright Scholar - Indonesia. Christine also owns The Uncorked Librarian LLC with books and movies to inspire travel.