NC MST Segment 3

Segment 3 of the Mountains-to-Sea Trail runs for 71.4 miles from Pisgah Inn to Black Mountain Campground.  This segment is called the High Peaks and Asheville as it passes through the city of Asheville and crosses North Carolina's highest point - Mount Mitchell, following the Blue Ridge Parkway closely for the entire segment.  All of this segment is along hiking trails except for short stretches along the parkway at bridges.

Route:

The western trailhead is at Pisgah Inn along the Blue Ridge Parkway.  The trail follows the parkway closely for the entire segment.  From Pisgah Inn, the trail passes by Mount Pisgah and piggybacks on Shut-In Trail towards Asheville.

It passes the Blue Ridge Parkway Visitor Center and Folk Art Center near Asheville.  The trail gradually ascends along the parkway passing by the ruins of Rattlesnake Lodge, an early 20th century vacation home for Asheville Doctor Chase Ambler.

After passing through Craggy Gardens, the MST follows the parkway through some beautiful heath balds to Balsam Gap.

Here the trail departs the parkway to head up to the summit of Mount Mitchell, the highest point east of the Mississippi River.  From the high point, the trail descends steeply to Black Mountain Campground at the eastern trailhead.

External Links:

Mountains-to-Sea Trail website: https://mountainstoseatrail.org/segment/3/