Featuring Dr. Mark Ellison, Certified Forest Therapy Guide
If you’ve ever stepped into the woods and felt your shoulders relax, your breathing slow, and your mind start to clear, you’ve already experienced a small taste of what forest bathing is all about.
Forest bathing, known as Shinrin-yoku in Japan, is the practice of immersing yourself in nature through all five senses. It’s not about hiking hard or covering ground. Instead, it’s about being present, slowing down and letting the forest work its quiet magic.
In Jackson County, where mountain air and biodiverse forests are abundant, forest bathing is more than a trend – it’s a path to well-being that locals and visitors alike are embracing, thanks to the work of Dr. Mark Ellison.
What Is Forest Bathing?
Originally developed in Japan in the 1980s as a public health response to urban stress, forest bathing is now practiced around the world. Scientific studies have shown that spending time in forests can:
- Lower cortisol (stress hormone) levels
- Strengthen the immune system
- Improve sleep and mood
- Enhance focus and attention
- Boost overall feelings of well-being
“Forest bathing is about experiencing nature through all of your senses,” explains Dr. Ellison, a certified Forest Therapy Guide based in Sylva. “It’s not exercise, it’s not a nature walk – it’s about noticing what’s around you, taking it in slowly and letting nature do what it does best: heal.”
Meet the Guide: Dr. Mark Ellison
Dr. Ellison moved to Jackson County in 1988 to attend Western Carolina University and quickly fell in love with the region’s wild beauty. “Nature has been my escape for decades,” he shares. “I started solo hiking to clear my head and found it incredibly restorative.”
That personal connection to the outdoors eventually led him to focus his doctoral research at NC State on the therapeutic benefits of nature. His journey took him across the world – meeting with Dr. Qing Li, who helped pioneer forest bathing in Japan, and becoming one of the early guides in the U.S. trained by Amos Clifford, founder of the Association of Nature and Forest Therapy.
In 2022, Ellison partnered with Sylva to create North Carolina’s first certified Forest Therapy Trail at Pinnacle Park – one of only 20 such trails in the world.
What to Expect on a Forest Bathing Walk
Each walk is a slow, guided experience, typically lasting 2-3 hours. Dr. Ellison offers a series of gentle “invitations” that help participants tune in to their surroundings.
You might be invited to:
- Walk slowly and notice the feel of the ground beneath your feet
- Touch the bark of a tree and observe its texture
- Smell the air and the leaves
- Sit quietly and listen to birdsong or the rustling of the wind
- Observe the play of light through the branches
“It’s about experiencing what’s around you with fresh eyes,” Ellison says. “As if you’re seeing, hearing, smelling and feeling it all for the first time.”
Participants have described the walks as:
- “Bone-deep relaxation.”
- “Awe-inspiring.”
- “Restorative, calming and spiritual.”
- “Like pressing pause on life.”
Some join during stressful transitions, others to honor a loved one, find clarity or simply reconnect with themselves.
“People from all over the country have come to experience forest bathing here,” said Ellison. “I’ve guided visitors from places like Atlanta and Raleigh to New York City and London, as well as South Africa, and it’s refreshing to see that sometimes everyone wants to slow down and immerse themselves in the beauty of nature.”
Where to Go Forest Bathing in Jackson County
Jackson County is one of the most biodiverse areas in the world, and its lush forest landscapes make it ideal for forest bathing.
Top Spots to Try:
- Pinnacle Park (Sylva)
- Home to North Carolina’s first certified Forest Therapy Trail
- Just 10 minutes from downtown Sylva, yet feels worlds away
- Includes self-guided brochures and audio walk options
- Edward Baker Preserve (near Cashiers)
- A Highlands-Cashiers Land Trust property
- Easy, non-strenuous trail through peaceful backwoods terrain
- Ideal for those wanting a solo or self-paced experience
- Forest bathing works anywhere! Consider a peaceful overlook on the Blue Ridge Parkway, a path along the Tuckasegee River or at Lake Glenville, or even a quiet corner of your backyard.
You don’t need a guide to experience the benefits, though having one, like Dr. Ellison, can help deepen your connection and understanding.
Why Try Forest Bathing?
Forest bathing is a gentle yet powerful way to:
- Reduce stress and anxiety
- Be more present
- Recharge mentally and emotionally
- Experience nature with intention
- Create meaningful, mindful moments
“We live in a world addicted to hurry,” says Ellison. “Forest bathing invites you to stop. Sit. Breathe. Listen. And just be.”
Whether you’re navigating a difficult season or simply need to clear your mind, a forest bathing walk might be exactly what your soul needs.
Ready to try it for yourself?
Join a guided walk with Dr. Mark Ellison or head to Pinnacle Park with a brochure and see where the forest leads you. Learn more about Dr. Ellison’s guided walks at pinnacleforesttherapy.com and discover more to do in Jackson County at DiscoverJacksonNC.com.