A Wilderness Escape

As a side road into the Uwharrie National Forest, the Birkhead Wilderness Route reveals the most rugged areas of North Carolina's piedmont.

This mountainous area offers travelers a view of wilderness terrain combined with remnants of the past. Upon hiking the trails of the area, visitors will catch glimpses of the past in the old abandoned homesteads and mining areas.

The Uwharrie National Forest covers 4,800 acres where visitors can see the oldest mountains on the continent. The byway travels through some of the most sparsely populated areas of the state and offers travelers a true escape from the bustle of urban life.