Mountains to Sea National Recreation Trail #440

39.7 mi - Difficult - The Mountains-to-Sea Trail will eventually provide a foot trail across the entire state of North Carolina. Its western terminus is at one of the highest points in the state, Clingman’s Dome, on the North Carolina/Tennessee state line in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Its eastern end is in Jockey’s Ridge State Park, near the Atlantic Ocean. It will eventually cover at least 935 miles and, as of the spring of 2008, over 400 miles of off-road footpaths were available. (The completion date for the entire trail cannot be estimated due to the need to negotiate with private landowners.) The trail will be a “travel way” with various sections open to hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, and even canoeing/kayaking on a parallel paddling path. However, the entire portion of the trail within the Pisgah District is restricted to foot traffic only.

Approximate Elevation Change: 3,500 feet
Blaze: White Dot

At a Glance

Open Season:	Year-round
Usage:	Heavy
Restrictions:	Hiking Trail: foot traffic only.
Water:	yes
Restroom:	none
Operated By:	US Forest Service

General Information

Directions: This trail transects the entire Pisgah Ranger District, generally following the Blue Ridge Parkway. There are several access points to it in the District; those most frequently used are NC 215, Black Balsam Road (FS 816), Buck Spring Trail (#104), and Shut-In Trail (#345).