Robbins Branch, Hannah's Branch, Birkhead Mountain and more

Type of Outing: Hike
When: SAT 3/21/2026 9:00 AM
Signup Deadline: 3/19/2026 5:00 pm
Leader: Nicole Mazgaj
Distance: 13 miles
Difficulty: R-28, Moderate
Elevation Gain: 1500 ft.
Description: Let’s make our last cool season visit, before the arrival of gnats, ticks, snakes and suffocating heat, to one of my favorite hiking areas in Central North Carolina—the Uwahrrie National Forest. We will hike in the area located at the northern end of the forest, in the Birkhead Wilderness. I love that area for its variety of landscape and vegetation, and for its constant changes from unending vistas on undulating terrain to cozy creekside trails watched over by groves of rhodendrons and mountain laurels. I find it especially attractive in early spring when the buds are ready to burst, the foliage is tender green, and the creeks are still swollen with winter rain. We will start from the Thornburg Farm trailhead, hiking in a loop via Hannah’s Branch, Birkhead Mountain, and Robbins Branch. We will add a 2-3 mile horseshoe diversion from the Birkhead Mountain Trail via camp 3. Even though this is considered a moderate hike by experienced hikers, the added mileage off the loop, with a couple of steep descents, makes it unsuitable for beginners. Please register by the specified deadline. I will promptly get back to you with carpooling and meeting options, and I will send a confirming email to all participants, before 12:00 pm on Friday.
Max Participants: 15