North 40
The North 40 perimeter loop circles our house on Mountain View Trail. One time around the perimeter is 1.1 miles and climbs down and out of 2 deep draws. The mid point roadside elevation is approximately 6510′. North 40 Loop Distance: 1.3 Mile Loop Elevation Change: 230′ Difficulty: Moderate to Strenuous Mountainview Trail Upper Property Line to Junction Distance: 2.1 Elevation …
Read More →Perry Cove – Bennett Gap Loop
Elevation Gain 1135′ Length: 4.1 miles Bennet Gap Trail is accessed off Avery Creek Road near Brevard. The trail ascends 1135 feet to the gap. We climbed clockwise to the gap to the junction of Perry Cove Trail. Perry Cove Trail descends rapidly back to the road. The first 1/2 mile or so ascends to the ridge top and the majority …
Read More →Pilot Rock
This hike, we pieced together from the Pisgah Inn Parking Lot to the bottom of Pilot Rock. Beginning along the Mountains to the Sea Trail, turn south and go over Little Bald Mountain following the trail down around Pilot Rock. It is steep going down, so expect to get tired coming back up.
Read More →Pinnacle Mountain Trail
This trail is a fairly strenuous 3.3 miles (one way) trail. Before starting, you should register at the Nature Center. The Pinnacle Mountain Trail begins at the Nature Center. You will take the Carrick Creek Trail to the left when you get to the sign for Carrick Creek and Table Rock trails. You will follow this trail along Carrick Creek. …
Read More →Porter’s Creek
Distance: 7.2 miles RT Elevation Gain: 1430′ Difficulty: Moderate Turn right on Greenbriar Road at Park Entrance sign off US Hwy 321 5.9 miles east of Gatlinburg. Continue on Greenbriar Road 4.1 miles to end of loop. Look for trail and trail marker. The gravel roadbed ascends to the historic site, John Messer’s Barn built in 1875. The barn is located just off …
Read More →Pressley Cove Trail
Pressley Cove Trail to Pressley Gap Distance: 2.6 miles round trip Elevation Gain: 1003 ft. Pressley Cove Trail is accessed from Avery Creek Road (Forest Service Road #477). Beginning at 2325 ft. of elevation, the trail climbs steeply for 1.1 miles ( 968 ft. elevation gain) to Forest Service Rd #5022. Turn right onto the road and walk for .2 miles …
Read More →Rumbling Bald
Distance: 1.5 Miles RT Elevation Gain: 315′ Difficulty: Easy to Moderate The Rumbling Bald trail in Hickory Nut Gorge isn’t quite finished yet. At present, it is developed for the first mile with a wide gravel trail through the woods. The rest of the loop is there, so we walked it all the way around, but it is a little rough …
Read More →Sam Knob
Total Distance: 2.6 Miles Out and Back (my gps measurement) Total Elevation Gain: 383′ (my gps measurement) *Note: Several online sources list elevation gains ranging from 380′ to over 500′. The Ramblr app on my iphone calculated the above measurements. So, that is what I’m going with. Directions From Asheville, follow the Blue Ridge Parkway south for 26.5 miles past …
Read More →Sam’s Knob
Park on Hwy 215 north of the parkway and hike east on the Mountains to the Sea Trail. Fork left on Little Sam Knob trail and intersect the Flat Laurel Creek Trail. Hike back down to Hwy 215. Distance: 6.5 miles RT Elevation Change: 750 feet Difficulty: Easy
Read More →