NC MST Segment 2

Segment 2 of the Mountains-to-Sea Trail runs for 63.6 miles from Waterrock Knob to Pisgah Inn, following the Blue Ridge Parkway.  This segment is called the Balsams as the trail runs through the Plott Balsam and Great Balsam ranges.  Although it follows the parkway, there are few road crossings and access points along the segment.  This segment includes 59.9 miles on trails, 1.9 miles on gravel roads and 1.8 miles on paved roads.

Route:

The western trailhead is at Waterrock Knob Visitor Center at milepost 451.2 on Pisgah District of Blue Ridge Parkway.  Waterrock Knob is the third highest point on the trail.

The trail descends to US-74 then climbs up towards the Great Balsam Mountains.  The trail passes through Middle Prong Wilderness and crosses NC-215, heading towards Graveyard Fields.

The trail enters Shining Rock Wilderness close to the parkway and crosses US-276 before ending at the Pisgah Inn.

External Links:

Mountains-to-Sea Trail website: https://mountainstoseatrail.org/segment/2/