All hikes this summer are subject to change based on evolving health guidance and weather. Please feel free to drop by the Nature Center during normal operating hours (Monday–Friday, 8:30 am–5:00 pm) to check on trail conditions or hike cancellations.
The Ranger staff will offer public hikes each Tuesday and Thursday during the summer conference season with two special full day Saturday hikes. Skill demonstrations will be held on Thursdays. All hikes are free and open to the public. You must be 13 or older to attend a hike without an adult guardian. Hikes will leave at 9:00 am, unless otherwise noted, from the Montreat Nature Center, located just below the Lake Susan spillway.
Half day hikes are designed to return in time for Clubs pickup at noon.
Full day hikes will return mid to late afternoon.
Before you hike
- Wear sturdy, well-broken-in hiking shoes
- Wear appropriate clothing
- Pack water, snacks, and a lunch for longer hikes
- Acquire a Montreat trail systems map online or at the Nature Center
- Let someone who is not hiking with you know your hiking plan and follow it.
In case of emergency:
- Emergency Services: 911
- Montreat Nature Center: 828.699.9540
Tuesday, June 13
Half Day – Rattlesnake Rock (Big Piney Trail)
Moderate hike with short strenuous sections | moderate pace
Bring plenty of water.
Thursday, June 15
Full Day – Walker’s Knob
Moderate with short strenuous sections
We’ll ascend via the Graybeard Trail to Walker’s Knob which offers a superlative view of Montreat and Black Mountain. After lunch, we’ll return via the same route.
Skills Demo – Green woodworking and knife basics
Tuesday, June 20
Full Day – Hydroelectric Tour
Moderate with several very steep sections | 4.8 miles total | 1800’ gain
We will ascend Graybeard Trail to the site of the old Montreat reservoir which provided water for the hydroelectric plant which served Montreat until the early 1930’s. We’ll continue on to Potts Cove, then head south along the Trestle Road to Long Gap, where we will take the East Ridge Trail south to the summit of Rocky Head. We will descend on the Rocky Head trail, passing the old holding ponds, descend to the Montreat Campgrounds, then back to the Nature Center.
Thursday, June 22
Half Day – Lookout Loop
Easy hike | Moderate pace
Skills Demo – Hiking and Camping 101
Tuesday, June 27
Full Day – Pinnacle
Moderate hike with some strenuous sections | 16.4 miles total | 3300’ gain
The second-longest hike of the summer takes us to Pinnacle Mountain, just south of the Blue Ridge Parkway near the entrance to Mount Mitchell State Park. We’ll take the Graybeard Trail to the foot of Graybeard Mountain, walk along the Mitchell Toll Road all the way to the Parkway, and then double back along the ridge line to Pinnacle. We’ll have a leisurely lunch at the top with plenty of time to take in the excellent view (and a nap), and then return via the Toll Road to Buck Gap, Lookout Trail and home. Be sure to bring rain gear and plenty of water.
Thursday, June 29
Full Day – East Ridge Ramble
Moderate hike with a few strenuous sections | 6 miles total | 1700’ gain
From the Nature Center we’ll ascend the Lookout Trail and then travel along the East Ridge all the way to Long Gap. In the process, we’ll cross Lookout, Boggs’ Bunion, Brushy, and Rocky Head. We will take the Trestle to Potts Cove gap, and then return to Montreat via the Graybeard Trail.
Wednesday, July 5
Half Day – Rattlesnake Rock (Big Piney Trail)
Moderate hike with short strenuous sections | moderate pace
Skills Demo – Basic blacksmithing
Thursday, July 6
Full Day – Annual Perimeter Hike
Long and strenuous hike; some moderate sections | 16.0 miles total | expect to return after 5 PM
Bring plenty of water, snacks, lunch, and rain gear. Rangers will carry water filters but no water source is available on the first half of the hike.
A 4th of July week tradition. We’ll ascend Stomping Knob to the West Ridge, then up to Graybeard Mountain for lunch. Return along the East Ridge to Rainbow Mountain. A very challenging hike topping nearly every peak in the Montreat valley | this is a trip for strong hikers only. It often rains on this trip, be prepared.
Tuesday, July 11
Full Day – Walker’s Knob
Moderate hike with short strenuous sections
We’ll ascend via the Graybeard Trail to Walker’s Knob which offers a superlative view of Montreat and Black Mountain. After lunch, we’ll return via the same route.
Thursday, July 13
Skills Demo – Flintknapping and early tools
Tuesday, July 18
Full Day – Graybeard Mountain
Moderate hike | 11.9 miles total | 3000’ gain
We’ll take the Graybeard Trail to the Walker’s Knob hiking shelter. After a snack and a quick side trip to enjoy the view from Walker’s Knob we’ll continue climbing the Graybeard Trail to the top of Graybeard Mountain, the highest point in Montreat. Excellent views (north toward Mount Mitchell) and wild country make this a truly memorable hike. After lunch at the summit we’ll backtrack to Montreat.
Thursday, July 20
Skills Demo – Knots, lashings, and cordage
Saturday, July 22
Full Day – Mount Mitchell
Moderate hike, but very long | 18 miles total | 4000’ gain
This is the longest day hike we offer during the season, and one not to be missed if you are up to the challenge! YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR YOUR OWN TRANSPORTATION BACK FROM MT. MITCHELL. If you do not have a ride, you may be left behind. This hike requires reservations! Please contact the Nature Center staff as soon as possible to add your name to the list. All hikers will be expected to contribute to the gas fund for our drivers!
Hike is subject to change based on weather.
Please talk to the Ranger staff or one of the Nature Center volunteers for more details about this tough but very rewarding hike. The uphill route will definitely add Mount Mitchell to your “South Beyond 6,000” list.
Tuesday, July 25
Full Day – Two Sisters and a View
Strenuous hike | 4.2 miles total | 2000’ gain
We will ascend Stomping Knob trail, stopping to see the old moonshine stills. Turning north on the West Ridge, we will proceed to the top of Big Piney. We will stop for lunch at the aptly named Rattlesnake Rock, then continue our descent to Montreat via the Big Piney Trail.
Tuesday, August 1
Full Day – The “Top o’ the Valley” Hike
Strenuous hike with some moderate sections | 9.3 miles total | 3000’ gain
From the Nature Center we’ll walk up to the family campground and then up the Rocky Head Trail to the top of Rocky Head. After a quick rest we’ll head North to Potts Cove Gap, follow the Trestle switchbacks to Walker’s Knob, and then on to the top of Graybeard. After lunch, we’ll travel down the West Ridge to Big Piney and then return to Montreat on the Big Piney Ridge Trail.
Thursday, August 3
Full Day – Pinnacle
Moderate with some strenuous sections | 16.4 miles total | 3300’ gain
The second-longest hike of the summer takes us to Pinnacle Mountain, just south of the Blue Ridge Parkway near the entrance to Mount Mitchell State Park. We’ll take the Graybeard Trail to the foot of Graybeard Mountain, walk along the Mitchell Toll Road all the way to the Parkway, and then double back along the ridge line to Pinnacle. We’ll have a leisurely lunch at the top with plenty of time to take in the excellent view (and a nap), and then return via the Toll Road to Buck Gap, Lookout Trail and home. Be sure to bring rain gear and plenty of water.