The Black Mountain Crest Trail is a rite of passage for hikers and trail runners in Western North Carolina. This epic route climbs quickly out of a valley to reveal an epic ridgetop traverse like no other. The path is incredibly challenging, steep at times, and crosses several 6,000-foot peaks along the way.

Towering at nearly 6,700' above sea level, Mount Mitchell is a hiker's paradise and the highest peak east of the Mississippi River. The infamous Black Mountain Crest Trail, the High Loop, and North Carolina's 1200-mile long Mountains to Sea Trail all provide incredible hiking experiences within the state park. This short hike provides the same incredible views by way of a paved path to the observation deck at the summit.

This segment of the Mountains to Sea Trail (MST) traverses from the Iconic Pisgah Inn to Mt. Mitchell State Park. A 3-mile round trip detour to Mt. Pisgah will reward you with stunning views of the Blue Ridge Mountains from a developed observation deck. Similar to Mt. Pisgah, a spur to the summit of Mt. Mitchell will take you to the highest point east of the Mississippi River, just shy of 6,700'.

At nearly 1,200 miles long, the Mountains-to-Sea Trail is North Carolina's premier long-distance hiking trail. Connecting the Great Smoky Mountains to the Outer Banks, this portion of the trail is best known for its traverse through Linville Gorge.

Enjoy this wild, rugged loop showcasing the region's pristine waterfalls, sweeping views, and long history—all in a single hike. This route follows historic mining roads and parallels the iconic Black Mountain Crest Trail just below the ridge.

According to North Carolina State Park's official website, this is the primary route chosen to climb Mount Mitchell on foot. As the highest peak east of the Mississippi River, hikers have an ~6-mile trek between Black Mountain Campground to their destination atop the summit. Soaring high at 6,684 feet above sea level, the mountain is home to a unique ecosystem and provides incredible views of the surrounding Blue Ridge.