Art Loeb Trail National Recreation Trail - Section 2

7.2 mi - Difficult - From Gloucester Gap, the trail climbs to Pilot Mountain, a former fire tower site with a 360-degree view. In mid May the north side of Pilot Mountain is abloom with Pinkshell Azalea. There is a shelter and a spring at Deep Gap. The trail then climbs to the Blue Ridge Parkway, winding through a mature, upland hardwood forest. From the parkway it is a steep climb to Silvermine Bald, where there is a transition from a hardwood forest to a spruce-fir forest. Grass balds and an abundance of Catawba Rhododendron make this a good spot to take a hike in late June when these showy shrubs bloom. Near Silvermine Bald, the Mountains-to-Sea Trail joins from the west as the Art Loeb Trail follows the ridge northeast to FS 816. [Note: South of Silvermine Bald, in addition to white blazes, you may also see blue dots, which are leftovers from a trail designation no longer in use.]

Approximate Elevation Change: 2,600 feet
Blaze: White