---
id: "12812"
name: Birkhead Wilderness Route
distance: "14"
duration: 25 minutes, but allow extra time to stop and see the attractions.
description: This scenic route features the Uwharrie Mountains, considered by some experts to be the oldest mountains in the North American continent.
path: ktlxE`wlfNna@|KpGjCxB~ApZr[bCxCbBpElEdRhCdGbBfDrA~AfIrFdB`BhAlB|BfGbCvDrAlAlK`GlBxAnKhOxBdCrCtAnMdCbDvArBtBrJ`NxAtAfBbAxCdAdM`Bbd@`HdClB`E~IrAlBzC`CjCp@v[zD|Af@xAnAbKjQvAdB|BtAhJ|CrBfBrA~C|@`Gt@rCbA~Bx@z@fK~GbFfC~PnDvAd@l\tTbA~@pExFbAfArKfIvAzA~BpE\~At@`Gj@tAfFjJn@fCFnCIjB_@rAsBpEYhAKlBTpCjA`EVdB?rCY~BcAxBwDtEkN`MeB~B}BbEwAdDe@lB[rBwCh\]lBa@lAcCjEgGxFsErCcBlBkD|FkBhBi@RaDLeDd@gBjAk@`A]xBo@zK[`JZdBh@rAhAxArCtCbBxBbAdDN~A@rAGfAmBbJg@|C@hUCxBU`CoNnt@m@lAkAjAqAf@oPp@oDt@eR`MsAlAgBlCo@jBcBnJ_BjF}ElJoPpZmBzCsBdCgNpM}Ub]o@xAo@xBeEbVeBbGeIxKuAjC_@rAOhBJdHKfBsElTw@nFBpY
attractions:
  - url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uwharrie_National_Forest
    name: Uwharrie National Forest
designations:
  - North Carolina State Scenic Byway
states:
  - NC
ll:
  - -79.86048099999994
  - 35.62326000000007
bounds:
  - - -80.01995099999993
    - 35.54777900000005
  - - -79.86048099999994
    - 35.62326000000007

---

__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.