The Shut-In Trail is a long, historic route which travels from NC 191 near Bent Creek and Asheville to the Mount Pisgah parking area. George W. Vanderbilt, builder of the famous Biltmore Estate near Asheville, constructed the Shut-In Trail around the year 1890. He used it to climb the Pisgah Ridge, linking his hunting lodge at Buck Springs below the summit of Mt. Pisgah to his famous Estate. Although parts were obliterated with the construction of the Parkway, parts of this trail still follow the original route.
Though the trail can be used as a long-distance route, it is most frequently used for short exercise and day hikes. This is generally necessary since overnight camping is not allowed along the Parkway (and 16.3 miles, with 3000 feet of vertical climbing, is a bit long for most day hikers). There are many convenient access points where the trail touches and crosses the Blue Ridge Parkway, mainly at overlooks.
Not everyone limits themselves to day hikes, though. For over 20 years the Shut-in Ridge Run has been using the trail as an event venue, on the first Saturday in November. Joggers cover the entire 18 miles on this run. You can get more information on the official website.
The Shut-In trail was named for the tunnels of rhododendron and mountain laurel through which it passes, giving the traveler a "shut in" feeling. The trail follows the same path used by the Mountains to Sea Trail for its entire length. Since you're close to the Parkway (never more than about 1/2 mile) and not far from Asheville, expect lots of hiker and jogger traffic on the trail.
Map
Here is a map of the Shut-In Trail.
Download GPS Data
Click routes, trails, or points on the map to download them individually (on the GPS Data tab).
KML is the main file type used by Google Earth. If you have Google Earth installed, clicking the KML link should open the trail or point directly
in Google Earth for viewing. This is the native file format used by Google Earth, but many other map applications can use and understand KML as well,
so if you're not sure which one to download, KML is a good bet.
GPX
The GPX format stands for GPS Exchange - a free, open, XML format for exchanging GPS and map data. GPX is compatible with Google Earth,
many other mapping programs, and most GPS devices (such as Garmin). Load the file directly into your GPS to help find your way on your next trip!
GeoJSON
GeoJSON is a newer, lightweight data exchange format which can be used to quickly share map data and may have a smaller size than KML or GPX. Many
professional mapping and GIS applications support the GeoJSON format.
About the Map
Copyright
Base Layers
Base layers provided by Google, MyTopo.com and Microsoft Research (MSR) Maps. Base layer images are subject to
the respective copyright policies of their owners.
Trail and Marker Overlays
Trail layers and downloadable data are all original works created by WNCOutdoors with guidance from a variety of
sources, including ensembles of our own GPS tracks, user contributed GPS tracks, official maps and GIS data from
government agencies, and field observations. WNCOutdoors data is made freely available under the
Open Database License - you are free to copy and use
it for any purpose unde the terms of that license (summary).
Tips
The map will scroll and zoom, just like a normal Google Map.
Click MyTopo to use a USGS topographic maps as the base layer.
Hover over a trail to see it highlighted. Helps to see start and end points for an individual trail.
Click a trail for more details and to download it individually.
