Pump Gap Loop Trail

At A Glance

More Difficult

5.5 mi one-way

Difficulty Rating: 5.5
Steepness: Climbs Steeply
Tread Condition: Moderately Rough
Blaze Color: Yellow
Trail Number: 309

Description

This trail is named after a water pump near the trail. The pump delivered water to Runion, which is now a ghost town. The trail accesses the Appalachian Trail and may be used as a loop or as part of a loop with the AT. Aside from that, it doesn't really go anywhere, and despite some nice scenery, feels a bit aimless. One section of this trail starts descending into a neat cove, and then - your easy descent coming to a screeching halt - veers up out of the cove and onto the nearby ridge.

Intersecting Trails

  • Appalachian Trail - Hot Springs (US-25/70) to NC 208
  • Lover's Leap
  • This trail is located in the Hot Springs area. For a list of all the trails in that area, see the Hot Springs trails list page.

    All Photos from the Trail

    Gallery Permalink

    GPS Map

    Map Information

    Download GPS Data

    Click on a route, trail, or point on the map and select the GPS Data tab to download its data.

    Data Formats

    KML (Google Earth)

    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 OpenStreetMap, the US Geological Survey, the US Forest Service, and NC OneMap. Base layer images are subject to the respective copyright policies of their owners. Base layers may not be available at all times due to system maintenance or outages.

    WNCOutdoors Base Layer

    The WNCOutdoors Base layer is provided by WNCOutdoors.info. It is licensed by Creative Commons Attribution 3.0.

    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 under the terms of that license (summary).

    Tips

    • Hover over a trail to see it highlighted. Helps to see start and end points for an individual trail.
    • Scroll and zoom the map before printing, and that view will persist into the printed image.
    • Click a trail for more details and to download it individually.

    Trail Segments

    Trails are often made up of several connecting paths which may have different characteristics, allowed uses, and seasons. This trail is divided into multiple segments as follows:

    Pump Gap Loop - Silvermine Parking to Lover's Leap

    • Allowed Uses: Hiking
    • Length: 0.24 mi

    Pump Gap Loop - Campground to Split

    • Allowed Uses: Hiking
    • Length: 0.77 mi

    Pump Gap - Out and Back Segment to A. T. at Gap

    • Allowed Uses: Hiking
    • Length: 0.4 mi

    Pump Gap Loop - FS 113A to Pump Gap

    • Allowed Uses: Hiking
    • Length: 1.21 mi

    Pump Gap Loop - FS 113A

    • Allowed Uses: Hiking
    • Length: 184 ft

    Pump Gap Loop - A.T to FS 113A

    • Allowed Uses: Hiking
    • Length: 0.36 mi

    Pump Gap Loop - FS 3515 to A. T.

    • Allowed Uses: Hiking
    • Length: 300 ft

    Pump Gap Loop - Split to FS 3515

    • Allowed Uses: Hiking
    • Length: 1.31 mi

    Total Calculated Length: 4.38 mi

    This value is derived from our underlying map data, and it may not match officially published information.

    Feedback

    Ratings

    Average Rating: 5.0 (rated 1 times)

    Rate It Now:

    Comments

    Traveler said: This is a very peaceful trail; you cannot hear any noise from the road for most of it. It is steep in some parts, in particular for one fairly long stretch, about a mile. You need to pay attention to the map and the markings. The trail has gold markings, and the Appalachian trail, with white markings, intersects it twice. Somehow I got off the Pump Gap Trail and was on the Appalachian trail. I had not paid attention to what color the markings for each were and nearly got lost when I arrived at a four-way intersection. The map at the parking area shows black and red lines for these trails but does not mention marking colors.

    Thursday, November 23 2017 8:43pm
    Add a Comment


    Your email address will not be displayed, is kept completely private, and is only used to fight comment spam.


    All fields are required.