In the crisp fall of 1936, Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings, famed author of The Yearling, stepped off the beaten path to spend two months in a small cabin along Hemlock Trail on the Lees-McRae College campus. This stretch of trail, carved through forested ridges and gentle slopes, offered her a quiet refuge from the outside world—a space where nature spoke in whispers and the rhythm of the woods shaped days.

The Hemlock Trail covers roughly 3 miles with an elevation gain around 600 feet. It moves steadily upward through stands of hemlock and hardwood, their branches lightly brushing the cool air like mindful sentinels. The terrain alternates between well-worn dirt paths and patches thick with roots, demanding sturdy footwear but nothing beyond moderate hiking skills. Streams cross with a steady murmur, their currents daring you to pause and listen before pushing onward.

For Rawlings, the trail’s solitude was a practical companion. Immersed in the forest’s unhurried cadence, she could work on her writing but also experience the challenges of living closely with the land. Modern hikers retracing her steps will find the blend of adventure and quiet introspection still present. The wooded corridor gently inclines toward open viewpoints offering sweeping vistas of the surrounding Blue Ridge Mountains, where the horizon presses upon the sky with clarity and promise.

Planning your own visit? Early fall is ideal; the colors shift from green to fiery reds and golds, and temperatures hang comfortable but remind you to layer up. Bring ample water and waterproof footwear for unexpected damp patches and morning dew. The trail calls for respect—roots and rocks require attention underfoot, while local wildlife moves quietly alongside, alert to your presence. This isn’t a conquest; it’s an engagement with a landscape that’s fiercely itself.

Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings chose this cabin for its blend of challenge and sanctuary. In your hike, balance the excitement of discovery with practical preparation: allow time to pause by the streams, watch the dance of sunlight through needles and leaves, and let the forest’s steady pulse guide your journey. Whether you’re a casual walker or someone chasing peaks, the Hemlock Trail offers a grounded outdoor experience with a literary legacy waiting to be felt in each footstep.