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Best Hiking Trails in Pisgah National Forest
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Overview

With more than 500,000 acres, Pisgah National Forest sprawls across multiple management units. Traversed by the iconic Appalachian Trail, the park is characterized by whitewater rivers, waterfalls, and hardwood forests.

The forest offers a full spectrum of hikes, ranging from quick trips such as the 5-mile hike up to John Rock to longer, more strenuous hikes, including a popular blip on the Appalachian Trail up Max Patch Mountain, offering hikers a glimpse at the wondrous rigors of thru-hiking.

Getting Started

Hiking in national forests is easy and loosely regulated. Hikers can find a trail on this page, gear up, and drive to the appropriate parking spot.

For hikers wanting more information, there are three main ranger districts to research: Appalachian, Grandfather, and Pisgah. It's a huge forest, so there is a lot to learn about the various entry points and regions. With more knowledge, hikers can choose a region, a trail, and develop their own ideas for an ideal route. There are over 1600 miles of trails in the Forest, allowing hikers easy access. Just park and go!

Hikers with kids may want to visit the ranger station and visitor center, located inside the Brevard entrance to the National Forest.

When to Go

Pisgah is most popular in April/May, and October/November, when the weather is more temperate. As with many National Forests, Pisgah isn't particularly crowded, allowing hikers to enjoy the forest anytime they like.

Permits

Permits are not required for hiking or backpacking in Pisgah National Forest.

Dog Info

Dogs are allowed in Pisgah with few restrictions (typical of National Forestland).

Resources

Seasonal Popularity

Pilot Mountain via Art Loeb Trail
DIFFICULT 5.4 mi
South Harper Creek Falls via Harper Creek Trail
EASY 3.3 mi
Pilot Rock via Pilot Cove-Slate Rock
EASY 4.5 mi
1915 Climax Locomotive Loop via Pink Beds Loop
EASY 3.1 mi
Deer Lake Lodge Trail Loop
DIFFICULT 5.2 mi
Cedar Rock Mountain Loop via Butter Gap
DIFFICULT 7.2 mi
Cat Gap Loop
EASY 4.5 mi
Black Mountain Campground Loop via River Loop
EASY 3.7 mi
Cat Gap Loop
DIFFICULT 5.1 mi
Lake Jocassee via Foothills Trail
DIFFICULT 10.0 mi
Old Butt Knob Loop via Shining Creek Path
DIFFICULT 18.2 mi
Flat Laurel Creek Trail/Old Railroad Grade Loop
DIFFICULT 9.8 mi
South Mills River Road and Turkey Pen Ridge Loop
DIFFICULT 6.1 mi
Grassy Cove Top Loop via Shining Creek Path
DIFFICULT 14.6 mi
Shining Rock via Art Loeb Trail
DIFFICULT 6.0 mi
High Knob Loop via Joel Branch Road and Art Loeb Trail
DIFFICULT 5.1 mi
Daniel Ridge Loop
EASY 4.5 mi
Pisgah National Forest - Pisgah Range Loop via Hard Times Road
DIFFICULT 6.4 mi
Stony Knob Loop via Art Loeb Trail
DIFFICULT 7.4 mi
Cedar Rock Mountain via Butter Gap
DIFFICULT 8.8 mi
Butter Gap Shelter Loop via Cat Gap Loop and Butter Gap
DIFFICULT 7.9 mi
Black Mountain Campground via Mount Mitchell Trail
DIFFICULT 5.7 mi
Black Balsam Knob
EASY 2.8 mi
Pilot Mountain via Art Loeb Trail and Farlow Gap Trail
DIFFICULT 10.1 mi
Buckhorn Gap Loop
DIFFICULT 7.1 mi
Daniel Ridge and FS 5046 Loop
EASY 5.0 mi
Big Bald via Appalachian Trail
DIFFICULT 11.7 mi
Hickory Knob Loop via Maxwell Cove
DIFFICULT 9.0 mi
Toms Spring Falls via Daniel Ridge Loop
EASY 2.1 mi
Little Sam's Knob via Flat Laurel Creek Trail/Old Railroad Grade and Sam Knob
EASY 3.3 mi