Bent Creek Gap Road–Grassy Knob Trail, 3 sights

6.3 mi · ▲ 1,050 ft · 2 hr 38 min

Bent Creek Gap Road–Grassy Knob Trail, 3 sights is a 6.3-mile out-and-back near Avery Creek, NC. It climbs 1,050 ft, with sections as steep as 26% grade. It scores 59/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: backcountry feel.

Elevation

0 mi2,192 – 2,940 ft · steepest grade: 26%6.5 mi

Getting there

Trailhead: Shut-In Trail 35.46595, -82.62912
Nearest town Avery Creek, NC

Directions

AMBLEWAYwww.ambleway.com

Bent Creek Gap Road–Grassy Knob Trail, 3 sights

6.3 mi · ▲ 1,050 ft · 2 hr 38 min

Elevation 2,191–2,940 ft

Out & Back

Trailhead: Shut-In Trail · 35.46595, -82.62912

Weather Sep 5: sunrise 7:07 AM · sunset 7:54 PM

Parking lot at the trailhead

  1. Start on Shut-In Trail, heading N.
  2. 0.5 miTurn left onto Grassy Knob Trail, heading NW.
  3. 150 ftContinue straight onto Stairs (Upper), heading N.
  4. 0.4 miTurn left onto Stairs (Lower), heading NW.
  5. 250 ftTurn left onto Pine Tree Loop, heading NW.
  6. 0.6 miTurn left onto Pine Tree Connector, heading W.
  7. 200 ftTurn right onto Explorer Loop, heading SW.
  8. 500 ftContinue straight onto Explorer Loop Connector, heading NW.
  9. 450 ftTurn right onto Bent Creek Gap Road, heading NW.
  10. 1.4 miReach Grassy Knob Trail, then turn around and head back the way you came.
  11. 1.4 miTurn left onto Explorer Loop Connector, heading SW.
  12. 450 ftContinue straight onto Explorer Loop, heading SW.
  13. 500 ftTurn left onto Pine Tree Connector, heading E.
  14. 200 ftTurn right onto Pine Tree Loop, heading SE.
  15. 0.6 miTurn right onto Stairs (Lower), heading NE.
  16. 250 ftTurn right onto Stairs (Upper), heading NE.
  17. 0.4 miContinue straight onto Grassy Knob Trail, heading N.
  18. 150 ftTurn right onto Shut-In Trail, heading N.
  19. 0.5 miArrive back at the trailhead.

Each distance is the walk from the previous step. Tap a step for a map of its junction.

Trail surface

56% dirt35% gravel9% unspecified

Weather

Sunrise 7:07 AMSunset 7:54 PM

Good to know

  • Parking lot at the trailhead

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