Plan with
Confidence
Avoid the Blue Ridge Parkway during periods of snow, ice, and fog. Dense fog is the most common challenge in this section of the BRP. Limited visibility can make driving very slow and dangerous. Please follow signed instructions to stay on the trail at all times during the hike. The mountain's landscape is home to rare/fragile plant species, some dating to the last glacial period. Stay within the overlook and don't go out on the rocks at the top since there's a nest of Peregrine Falcons there.
Path Type
Point to Point
The Devil's Courthouse, just off the Blue Ridge Parkway (BRP) at mile marker 422.4, is a must-do hike featuring a 360-degree panorama of North and South Carolina, Georgia, and Tennessee. The picnic table and bear resistant trash containers at the parking area make this an ideal spot for a leisurely snack or meal.
The trail follows the BRP for a short while and then proceeds into the woods. It heads up a steady ascent of approximately 290 feet. The first half of the trail is paved with benches to sit and rest. Just before the pavement ends, a connector trail comes in from the left. This unmarked connector goes over the tunnel to the Mountain-to-Sea Trail: Segment 2.
Continue following the paved trail up towards the summit. You'll see several small paths off to the left that have been created by visitors leaving the main trail to see the views along the way. Once the pavement ends, the tail turns to rock with several rock staircases with railings. You'll pop out of the woods to the summit with spectacular panoramic views. There are two markers at the top that point out the various mountains surrounding you.
The return trip is simple; just go back the way you came. Make sure you stay on the asphalt to avoid the connector trail to the MST.
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