Montreat's Rich Heritage is a Place of Renewal

Montreat's Rich Heritage is a Place of Renewal. . In the late 1800s, John Collins, a Congregational minister from Connecticut, and other Christian lay leaders came to this cove. Their desire was to "establish and maintain a municipality containing assembly grounds for the encouragement of Christian work and living" (Original Charter , Mountain Retreat Association). This mission has guided the Mountain Retreat Association for over one hundred years and continues to guide it. In 2004, the Association took another historic step as it signed an agreement with the State of North Carolina to preserve 2,500 acres in the cove. This bold action protects the biodiversity of the area and ensures a place of rest and spiritual renewal for thousands seeking refuge each year. , Montreat Trails , Lookout Trail: Yellow Blaze, Moderate: Mountain summit has great views of the Seven Sisters Ridge and Montreat. , Rainbow Road: Orange Blaze, Easy: This trail connects to the old Toll Road. , Rainbow Mountain Trail: Gray Blaze, Strenuous: Trail begins near the Montreat gate. , East Ridge Trail: Gray Blaze, Strenuous: Good views to the east and west. , Hickory Ridge Trail: Blue Blaze, Easy: Trail connects Lookout Mountain and the Toll Road. , Buck Gap Trail: Blue Blaze, Short but steep: Trail connects the Trestle Road Shelter and the East Ridge Trail. , Horseshoe Loop Trail: White Blaze, Easy: Trail loops around the horse stables. , Rocky Head Trail: Orange Blaze, Strenuous: Trail connects the Montreat campground and the East Ridge trail. It passes old water holding pond used for hydroelectric plant in the 1920s. , Stomping Knob Trail: Yellow Blaze, Moderately Strenuous: Trail connects Harmony Road and the West Ridge Trail at the summit of Stomping Knob. , Piney Ridge Trail: Orange Blaze, Strenuous: Good views of Montreat and Black Mountain. , West Ridge Trail (Seven Sisters Ridge): Gray Blaze, Strenuous: Trail has beautiful views of the Asheville Watershed. , Graybeard trail: Blue Blaze, Strenuous: Trail leads to the summit of Graybeard Mountain. , Walkers Knob Trail: Orange Blaze, Easy: Great view of entire Montreat Valley. , Toll Road: Green Blaze, Moderate: This trail follows the Old Toll Road from Black Mountain to the Blue Ridge Parkway.