Daniel Ridge Loop
trail_hike_comments: Fantastic loop trail. The naming of this one appears to be kind of a flub as it's not anywhere near Daniel Ridge itself; instead, the trail is on a spur of Lanning Ridge. And it also appears the Forest Service may be renaming the lower part of this trail to Farlow Gap based on their latest trail data. Described here clockwise, it can be hiked either direction.
Follows an old roadbed upstream to start. Passes an old fish hatchery and ruins of an old bridge. Trail narrows as it climbs Right Fork; clings to steep hillside. Straight poplars grow in a cove hardwood forest here. At the intersection with the Farlow Gap trail at a set of steps, turn right. Begins moderate climb through smaller mixed hardwoods and pleasant open forests. It crests the ridge, then starts descending through logged areas, somewhat steeply at times. Then travels through a somewhat more level valley in a forest of hemlocks, rhododendrons, and twisted Mountain Laurel, arching over the trail at times. Here there are creek crossings on plank & log bridges. The trail passes the top of Toms Spring Falls (Daniel Ridge Falls) and then goes around a large switchback near the end. Turn left at the intersection with gravel Lanning Ridge Road to reach the base of falls after a few feet. Turn right to close the loop., trail_bike_comments: A terrific trail. Moderately steep, rocky, and technical; fantastic loop trail. The naming of this one appears to be kind of a flub as it's not anywhere near Daniel Ridge itself; instead, the trail is on a spur of Lanning Ridge. And it also appears the Forest Service may be renaming the lower part of this trail to Farlow Gap based on their latest trail data. Described here clockwise, it can be ridden either direction.
Follows an old roadbed upstream to start. Passes an old fish hatchery and ruins of an old bridge. Trail narrows as it climbs Right Fork; technical sections; clings to a steep hillside in places. Straight poplars grow in a cove hardwood forest here. At the intersection with the Farlow Gap trail at a set of steps, turn right. This begins moderate climb through smaller mixed hardwoods and pleasant open forests. It crests the ridge, then starts descending through logged areas, somewhat steeply at times. Then travels through a somewhat more level valley in a forest of hemlocks, rhododendrons, and twisted Mountain Laurel, arching over the trail at times. Here there are creek crossings on plank & log bridges. The trail passes the top of Toms Spring Falls (Daniel Ridge Falls) and then goes around a large switchback near the end. Turn left at the intersection with gravel Lanning Ridge Road to reach the base of falls after a few feet. Turn right to close the loop.