The Pisgah Conservancy has begun construction of the new Upper Falls Connector Trail in Graveyard Fields. This project is a major milestone in a long-term effort to restore and protect one of Western North Carolina’s most iconic natural landscapes.
The new 0.9-mile trail will connect the John Rock Overlook parking area on the Blue Ridge Parkway to the valley floor of Graveyard Fields.
The new trail connection will provide critical access needed to support future restoration work, including trail reconstruction, stream and habitat restoration, storm recovery projects and ongoing maintenance throughout the area. Construction officially began on May 19, 2026.
The existing trails leading into Graveyard Fields include narrow corridors, stairs and other aging infrastructure that are unable to accommodate the equipment and material loads necessary to implement these future restoration projects and ongoing maintenance needs.
After evaluating alternatives such as a skyline yarder, project partners determined that constructing a durable new trail would provide the most sustainable long-term solution. In addition to supporting restoration work, the new trail will create expanded recreation opportunities by adding trail mileage, dispersing visitor use and serving as the first link in a future loop route to Upper Falls.
During the construction period, visitors should expect minimal impacts to recreation access. Up to half of the parking spaces at the John Rock Overlook parking area may be used by the trail contractor throughout the construction period. Additionally, a temporary one-to-two-day closure of the west side of the Graveyard Fields Loop Trail from the Graveyard Fields parking area may occur in mid-June to allow for active construction work on an existing trail segment. Dates are subject to change depending on weather and construction conditions.
Construction is expected to conclude mid-September, ahead of leaf season.