Big Ridge Overlook (MP 403.6)–Beaver Dam Gap Overlook (MP 401.7), 5 viewpoints is a 14.3-mile out-and-back near Avery Creek, NC. The route passes View Chesnut Cove and Beaver Dam Gap Overlook (MP 401.7) before reaching Big Ridge Overlook (MP 403.6) at the turnaround, 7.2 miles in. It climbs 3,383 ft, with sections as steep as 22% grade, and is mostly dirt. It scores 18/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: paved and peopled.
Elevation
0 mi2,881 – 4,029 ft · steepest grade: 22%14.5 mi
Getting there
Trailhead: Shut-In Trail 35.46595, -82.62912
Nearest town Avery Creek, NC
Directions
AMBLEWAYwww.ambleway.com
Big Ridge Overlook (MP 403.6)–Beaver Dam Gap Overlook (MP 401.7), 5 viewpoints
14.3 mi · ▲ 3,383 ft · 6 hr 27 min
Elevation 2,880–4,030 ft
Out & Back
Trailhead: Shut-In Trail · 35.46595, -82.62912
Weather Sep 5: sunrise 7:06 AM · sunset 7:55 PM
Parking lot at the trailhead
- Start on Shut-In Trail, heading SW.
- 50 ftContinue straight onto Sleepy Gap Trail, heading S.
- 50 ftTurn left onto Shut-In Trail, heading S.
- 0.8 miPass View Chesnut Cove.
- 1.7 miTurn left onto cold knob ridge, heading N.
- 50 ftBear left onto Shut-In Trail, heading N.
- 2.7 miPass Beaver Dam Gap Overlook (MP 401.7).
- 2 miReach Big Ridge Overlook (MP 403.6), then turn around and head back the way you came.
- 4.7 miBear right onto cold knob ridge, heading NE.
- 50 ftTurn right onto Shut-In Trail, heading NE.
- 2.5 miTurn right onto Sleepy Gap Trail, heading NW.
- 50 ftContinue straight onto Shut-In Trail, heading NW.
- 50 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
100% dirt
Weather
Sunrise 7:06 AMSunset 7:55 PM
Sunset
The best sunset spot on this hike is 6.8 mi in (~219 min). Leave by 3:57 PM for the 7:55 PM sunset. Back at your car by 11:25 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.
Good to know
- Parking lot at the trailhead
More from Shut-In Trail Trailhead
- Boyd Branch Road–Grassy Knob Trail, 3 sights 5.5 mi · ▲ 918 ft
- Bent Creek Gap Road–Grassy Knob Trail, 3 sights 6.3 mi · ▲ 1,050 ft
- Grassy Knob Trail–Laurel Branch Road, 4 sights 6.9 mi · ▲ 1,448 ft
- Ingles Fields Gap–Boyd Branch Trail, 6 sights 8.8 mi · ▲ 1,675 ft
- View Chesnut Cove–Bent Creek Gap Road, 5 sights 12.9 mi · ▲ 1,859 ft
- Yellow Gap–Grassy Knob Trail, 7 sights 15.5 mi · ▲ 3,781 ft
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Hikes near Avery Creek, North Carolina