A New McDowell County Trail Was Built With Adaptive Riders in Mind

By Jon Tharp, Broker  ·  October 31, 2026

Wolfpen Loop, a new 10.1-mile natural surface trail in McDowell County, offers hikers, mountain bikers and adaptive recreation enthusiasts an opportunity to explore the South Mountains landscape on a trail designed to accommodate a wide range of abilities.

It is the first completed segment of the future Wilderness Gateway State Trail, a planned long-distance trail system spearheaded by Foothills Conservancy of North Carolina. Wolfpen Loop is expected to open to the public before the end of the year.

What is the Wilderness Gateway State Trail?

The Wilderness Gateway State Trail will connect communities, conservation lands and outdoor recreation destinations throughout the South Mountains region. The project aims to expand access to the outdoors while protecting the natural character of the region.

Wolfpen Loop is awaiting formal designation as part of the North Carolina State Trail System. Once designated, it will become an official segment of the Wilderness Gateway State Trail.

What makes Wolfpen Loop work for adaptive riders?

Matt Lee is with Wild Access Collective, an initiative working to increase mobility access to unpaved nature trails in WNC and East Tennessee. Lee, a WNC native who sustained a spinal cord injury as a teenager, recently explored the trail alongside a group of adaptive and non-adaptive mountain bikers.

"I'm not an advanced or highly experienced mountain biker so I can't really speak to technical aspects of the trail, but I thought it flowed well and it was nice being under the forest canopy," he says. "I know Shane Prisby at Foothills has made an effort to incorporate KASA (Kootenay Adaptive Sport Association) standards and I think that was evident with the trail width and other aspects that eliminated pinch points and minimized some common trail problems for adaptive bikes."

Features such as steps, gates and bollards can prevent people using wheelchairs or adaptive equipment from entering a trail at all.

"I'm grateful that Foothills is taking an approach that considers those differences and seeks to give adaptive trail users choice and more opportunities to explore as far and wide as they choose," Lee says.

Could the South Mountains become a hub for adaptive recreation?

Rather than attempting to make every trail equally easy, the Wilderness Gateway project seeks to expand the range of experiences available to adaptive users without sacrificing the landscape's natural character. As additional segments take shape, connections between trails could allow visitors to explore more of the South Mountains region and create a larger network of trails for adaptive riders.

"I think it would certainly help make it a destination and hub for adaptive outdoor recreation, as well as a potential model for other places to see what is possible when you design with intention and commitment to increasing access for adaptive recreation," Lee says.

For Lee, the promise is that future trail networks could offer more people the freedom to venture into the mountains on their own terms. "It's about having choices," he says. "At the end of the day, adaptive users are just people, and people differ in terms of what experiences they want and are looking for. I support any effort that helps provide access to nature and its benefits for as many people as possible."

How can I learn more about Wolfpen Loop?

Learn more at FoothillsConservancy.org/wgst. Emma Castleberry first reported this story for The Laurel of Asheville.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Wolfpen Loop in McDowell County?

Wolfpen Loop is a 10.1-mile natural surface trail in McDowell County that offers hikers, mountain bikers and adaptive recreation enthusiasts an opportunity to explore the South Mountains landscape. It is the first completed segment of the future Wilderness Gateway State Trail.

When does Wolfpen Loop open?

Wolfpen Loop is expected to open to the public before the end of the year, according to The Laurel of Asheville.

Who is building the Wilderness Gateway State Trail?

Foothills Conservancy of North Carolina is spearheading the Wilderness Gateway State Trail, a planned long-distance trail system that will connect communities, conservation lands and outdoor recreation destinations throughout the South Mountains region. Learn more at FoothillsConservancy.org/wgst.