Lost Cove Wilderness Study Area

Big Lost Cove Cliffs Viewpoint & Big Lost Cove Cliffs Trail

3.5 mi · ▲ 687 ft · 1 hr 31 min

Big Lost Cove Cliffs Viewpoint & Big Lost Cove Cliffs Trail is a 3.5-mile out-and-back in Lost Cove Wilderness Study Area near Pineola, NC. The route reaches Big Lost Cove Cliffs Viewpoint at the turnaround, 1.7 miles in. It climbs 687 ft, with sections as steep as 22% grade. It scores 57/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: backcountry feel.

Elevation

0 mi3,409 – 3,767 ft · steepest grade: 22%3.6 mi

Getting there

Trailhead: Old Mortimer Road 36.01218, -81.85875
Nearest town Pineola, NC

Directions

AMBLEWAYwww.ambleway.com

Big Lost Cove Cliffs Viewpoint & Big Lost Cove Cliffs Trail

3.5 mi · ▲ 687 ft · 1 hr 31 min

Elevation 3,408–3,766 ft

Out & Back · Lost Cove Wilderness Study Area

Trailhead: Old Mortimer Road · 36.01218, -81.85875

Weather Sep 5: sunrise 7:02 AM · sunset 7:53 PM

Parking lot at the trailhead

  1. Start at the trailhead, heading NE.
  2. 50 ftContinue straight onto Old Mortimer Road, heading E.
  3. 50 ftBear left, heading E.
  4. 50 ftContinue straight onto Big Lost Cove Cliffs Trail, heading E.
  5. 1.7 miReach Big Lost Cove Cliffs Viewpoint, then turn around and head back the way you came.
  6. 0.2 miBear right, heading SW.
  7. 1.5 miContinue straight onto Old Mortimer Road, heading SE.
  8. 50 ftBear left, heading E.
  9. 150 ftArrive back at the trailhead.

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

Trail surface

1% gravel99% unspecified

Weather

Sunrise 7:02 AMSunset 7:53 PM

Sunset

The best sunset spot on this hike is 0.9 mi in (~33 min). Leave by 7:00 PM for the 7:53 PM sunset. Back at your car by 8:32 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

More sunset hikes nearby

Good to know

  • Parking lot at the trailhead

More from Old Mortimer Road Trailhead