Laurel Mountain Connector Trail #110


0.3 mi - Easy - This is a short and fairly easy connector trail that joins the Laurel Mountain Trail (#121) with the Pilot Rock Trail (#321). The trail itself is fairly nondescript, but is significant because it gives hikers a nice 4-mile loop from the Pisgah Inn area. It also gives mountain bikers the opportunity to face the challenge of riding up Laurel Mountain Trail then down the Pilot Rock Trail (or the reverse).

At a Glance

Open Season: Year-round
Usage: Heavy
Restrictions: Mountain Biking Trail: Mountain biking and hiking trail. Bikers please yield to hikers. Mountain biking prohibited in wilderness areas.
Water: no
Restroom: none
Operated By: US Forest Service

General Information

Directions: *Bikes must be walked or carried while on National Park Service (Blue Ridge Parkway) land. Leaving the Pisgah District Ranger Station/Visitor Center, turn right (north) onto US 276. Proceed north 14 miles and then go north (right) on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Since the trail connects the Pilot Rock Trail (#321) with the Laurel Mountain Trail (#121) east of the Parkway, it must be accessed via one of those two trails. Via Pilot Rock Trail: Proceed to milepost 410. Begin from the Pisgah Inn parking lot. There is a wooden trail map between the dorms and the Inn. Walk the trail toward the Buck Springs Lodge site (north) and Pilot Rock Trail will intersect after 0.4 mile. Via Laurel Mountain Trail: Proceed to MP 407.6, just beyond the Pisgah Inn. Here a large, irregularly shaped parking area serves both the Buck Spring Gap Overlook and the Mount Pisgah trailhead. Take the rock steps from the south end of the overlook parking area; pass the site of the former Buck Springs Lodge and you will come to the Laurel Mountain Trail after another 100 yards.

Activities

Mountain Biking

Day Hiking