Hiking & Backpacking - Whitewater Pisgah

Hiking & Backpacking

North Carolina is one of the premier destinations for hiking and backpacking in North America. Witness the unparalleled scenery of the Appalachian Mountains throughout the Pisgah Ranger District and beyond across half a million acres of public land. Backpacking in NC begins in the west with the Appalachian Trail, running nearly 300 miles and connecting with thousands of miles of hiking trails within Pisgah National Forest, Nantahala National Forest, and Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Hiking and backpacking are among the most popular and accessible outdoor pursuits available in the region. Pisgah offers exceptional opportunities to explore the region’s natural assets on foot across half a million acres of land. Beyond Pisgah, visitors can head to Gorges State Park for unparalleled scenery and waterfall access. Head north to Mount Mitchell to experience the largest peak east of the Mississippi River.


Check out more online guides and planning resources at Hiking Project.

Guide Services

Hiking Tours

Whitewater offers hiking experiences within Pisgah National Forest for beginners and seasoned hikers alike. Whether you are looking for a half-day excursion or full-day hike through Pisgah National Forest, there are tailored pursuits available throughout the area with experienced guides.

Pisgah National Forest and Linville Gorge Backpacking

Map

Select trails on the map for access information

Points of Interest

Art Loeb Trail


Distance: 31.1 miles (Point to Point)

Elevation: 6,194′ High, 2,138′ Low

Mountains-to-Sea Trail: Section #2


Distance: 69.6 miles (Point to Point)

Elevation: 6,597′ High, 2,032′ Low

Black Mountain Crest Trail


Distance: 12.1 miles (Point to Point)

Elevation: 6,680′ High, 3,083′ Low

Terms of Use: Should you choose to engage in the activities described herein, do so at your own risk. The information found on this site is a planning resource to be used as a point of inspiration in conjunction with your own due diligence. U.S. National Whitewater Center, Inc., its partners, associates, service providers, and contributors are in no way liable for personal injury, damage to personal property, or any other such situation that might happen to individuals while participating in any activity.