Shut-In Trail

The Shut-In Trail travels from Bent Creek near the city of Asheville, to the Pisgah Inn on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Following the route originally built by George Vanderbilt to access his Buck Springs lodge near Mt. Pisgah, the trail parallels the Blue Ridge Parkway and never strays far from the scenic motor road. Though the trail can be used as a long-distance route, it is more frequently used for short exercise and day hikes, since it meets or crosses the Parkway at many points along the way and each section has its own attractions.

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.