Guided Hikes on North Carolina's Mountains to Sea Trail
The following are some of the better day hikes along the Mountains to Sea Trail (MST). Each of these hikes uses a segment of the MST, but may continue onto other trails as well.
Green Knob
9mi, More Difficult
- Climbing: Hilly
- Tread Condition: Hilly
This hike takes you along the Mountains to Sea Trail in a remote section of the Pisgah National Forest. The entire hike is above 5000' in elevation, and you'll explore forests of oaks, birches, beeches, spruces and firs. You'll cross the headwaters of clear, cold mountain creeks and have a distant view of a high, thin, unnamed waterfall. You'll travel through rocky heath balds as well as grassy balds and patches of blueberries. Atop Green Knob, a spectacular view of the Flat Laurel Creek valley and Sam Knob awaits. If you're looking for solitude, hike to Green Knob!
Skinny Dip Falls
1.25mi, Moderate
- Climbing: Climbs Moderately
- Tread Condition: Climbs Moderately
This moderate, short hike takes you to an appealing waterfall and swimming hole on the Yellowstone Prong of the Big East Fork of the Pigeon River. It makes a great summer swimming destination, a great way to stretch your legs if you're traveling the parkway, and a great place for photographers - both for the falls and forest scenes and wildflowers on the way down. If you're feeling hoppy, this would make the start of a more strenuous trek into Graveyard Fields.
Rattlesnake Lodge
2.6mi, Moderate
- Climbing: Climbs Moderately
- Tread Condition: Climbs Moderately
This pleasant hike, on a section of the Mountains to Sea Trail, is close to the City of Asheville, making it a nice option if you're in the area and don't have a lot of drive time. A well-designed trail goes through a multitude of switchbacks, following an old wagon route. The wagon route was built to reach a historic private lodge, the remains of which you'll find at the end of this hike. Explore the old toolshed, the tennis courts, or the water supply pond, now long since grown over with thick, lush, Appalachian forests.
Potato Knob Fields
2mi, Moderate
- Climbing: Climbs Moderately
- Tread Condition: Climbs Moderately
Potato Knob is a rocky, prominent peak visible from the Blue Ridge Parkway, many points in the foothills region, and along I-40. It is a well-known area landmark. This hike takes you on a spectacular section of the Mountains to Sea Trail below the peak, with views both up and down. It travels to some scenic meadows on a slope below the summit. You'll go through a pleasant spruce-fir forest, some of which was planted as a reforestation effort after the mountains were logged. The trail itself is a marvel, as gigantic rocks have been moved to form the trail surface. This trail is suitable for families with older children; younger kids may have difficulty on some of the rocky sections.
Mount Mitchell
11.4mi, Most Difficult
- Climbing: Climbs Steeply
- Tread Condition: Climbs Steeply
Starting at the Black Mountain Campground on the Toe River, this hike gains 3600' in elevation over 5 1/2 miles to reach the summit of the East's highest peak, making it one of the toughest climbs in the region. You'll enjoy a varied forest that changes with the elevation. Much of the forest is old-growth, and you'll pass through stands of Red Spruce that help explain why this tree was such a valued resource. And, of course, there are spectacular views from high up. A side loop to a majestic alpine meadow helps provide round-trip variety.
