I met my friend Laura on May 1, 2021, to hike the beautiful Green River Cove Trail in Saluda, North Carolina. With lush spring foliage, wildflowers, rushing water, and scenic river views, it was a wonderful day to be outdoors.

Before heading out, there are a few important things to know about getting to this trailhead.

There is no cellular service along this section of the road, so I strongly recommend downloading your driving directions and trail map before leaving. You can also use a GPS device that relies on satellite service rather than cellular coverage.

Parking is limited to a small pullout that accommodates approximately four to five cars. When approaching from the south, as I did, the parking area is on the right and overlooks the river. It is located after passing Wilderness Cove Tubing and crossing the bridge.

The drive itself can be an adventure. My GPS directed me from the south via Exit 59 off I-26, and the section of Green River Cove Road leading to the trailhead was extremely twisty. There were several hairpin turns, and I was very happy that I didn’t encounter another vehicle coming in the opposite direction.

My friend approached from the north and avoided this particularly challenging section of road. If you aren’t comfortable driving narrow, winding mountain roads, you may want to investigate your route carefully before heading out.

Hiking Green River Cove Trail

The Green River Cove Trail begins directly across the road from the parking area. The hike starts with a steep set of angled steps, but thankfully the trail levels out after that initial climb.

The trail remains fairly manageable for most of the hike before becoming steep again toward the end as it descends toward the river. I would rate the trail moderate, particularly because of the elevation changes and steeper sections.

By the time we returned to our cars, we had hiked approximately 7 miles.

Be aware of the road if your GPS like mine guides you to drive from the South (exit 59 from I-26) to reach the trailhead. This portion of Green River Cove Rd is very twisted. I was glad I did not encounter other cars as I conquered the hairpin turns. My friend came in from the north and avoided this challenge.

The trail was absolutely beautiful in early May. Everything was lush and green, and we encountered a wonderful variety of spring wildflowers along the way. The sounds of the river accompanied us for much of the hike, making the experience especially peaceful.

When we reached the river, we watched several kayakers navigating the whitewater. Their colorful kayaks moving through the rushing water added another element of excitement to the scenery.

We found some rocks beside the river and settled there for lunch. Sitting beside the rushing water, surrounded by the forest, was one of my favorite moments of the hike.

The trail was fairly popular during our visit. We encountered families, couples, and other hikers enjoying the beautiful spring weather. I found the trail straightforward to follow and had no trouble staying on the route.

There is one thing to watch for: after crossing the creek, a significant portion of the trail was covered with poison ivy. I routinely wear long pants when hiking for this very reason, and I was glad I did. If you’re allergic to poison ivy, be especially careful in this section and avoid touching vegetation unnecessarily.

Overall, I really enjoyed the Green River Cove Trail and would recommend it to hikers looking for a scenic mountain trail with beautiful river views. The combination of lush forest, wildflowers, rushing water, and whitewater activity made this a memorable Saluda hike.

Just plan ahead, download your maps, prepare for the winding drive, and wear sturdy shoes. Happy hiking!

If You Go

• Location: Saluda, North Carolina
• Visited: May 1, 2021
• Trail: Green River Cove Trail
• Distance: Approximately 7 miles round trip based on our hike
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Parking: Small roadside pullout with space for approximately 4–5 cars
• Cell service: There is no cellular signal along this section of the road, so download maps and directions beforehand.
• Driving: Green River Cove Road has numerous tight curves and hairpin turns, particularly when approaching from the south.
• Trailhead: Located across the road from the parking area.
• Trail conditions: Expect steep steps near the beginning and a steep descent toward the river at the end.
• Scenery: Expect lush spring foliage, wildflowers, forest views, and beautiful river scenery.
• River: Kayakers can often be seen navigating the Green River’s whitewater.
• Poison ivy: Be especially cautious after crossing the creek, where we encountered a large amount of poison ivy.
• What to bring: Water, snacks, sturdy hiking shoes, downloaded maps, insect repellent, and trekking poles if desired.
• What to wear: Long pants are a good idea because of poison ivy and overgrown vegetation.
• Lunch: Consider packing a lunch to enjoy beside the river.
• Before you go: Check current road and trail conditions and download navigation information before entering the area.

Reference AllTrail Green River Cove Trail

Green River Cove Trail Photos

You might also enjoy these hikes:

• Yellow Branch Falls
• Lee Falls
• Pearsons Falls
• Little Bradley Falls
• Green River Cove Trail
• Tamassee Knob
• Lake Lure Flowering Bridge
• Catawba Falls
• Bell Park, NC