A short, yet challenging run with spectacular views from the summit of Mount Pisgah.

Statistics

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hrs

214

m

214

m

11

max°

Difficulty

FATMAP difficulty grade

Difficult

Description

Less than 2.5 miles round trip to the summit, this is one of the most visited trails along the Blue Ridge Parkway.

Though short, this trail gains nearly 700 feet of elevation and ends with a rugged final approach to the observation deck. At milepost 407 along the BRP, look for an overlook sign labeled "Mt.

Pisgah Parking." The trailhead is at the end of the second parking lot, and a placard denotes the details of the trail. Accessible from the same parking area, a short trek down Buck Spring Trail leads to a historic exhibit and dramatic views to the east.

This site holds the remains of George Vanderbilt's hunting lodge which formerly connected to the Biltmore Mansion via the Shut-In Trail. The beginning of the run climbs gradually through a Northern Red Oak forest, rewarding you with some partial views to the west.

You will cross a couple of seasonal springs before the trail turns and begins to steepen.

After heavy rains, expect to get your feet wet, and use additional caution on the slick rocks.

The latter half of the trail should be considered difficult, with large rock slabs and well-placed stairs propelling you up the southeast side of the mountain. At the summit, you'll be rewarded with sweeping views to the south from a wooden observation deck.

From here, you'll have an excellent vantage point to view the nearby Shining Rock Wilderness and Balsam Range. As a disclaimer, this trailhead is only accessible from the Blue Ridge Parkway.

In the winter months or during inclement weather, the parkway frequently closes.

In the winter, park where NC-151 intersects the BRP.

From there, follow the Mountains to Sea trail to the Mount Pisgah Trail.

At roughly 6 miles, this route is much more challenging, though rewarding as few people visit the summit in the winter. Sources: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_Pisgah_(mountain_in_North_Carolina) https://www.nps.gov/blri/planyourvisit/mt-pisgah-trails.htm