AMBLEWAY Wildest hikes

Wildcat Rock Preserve

Blue Ridge Pastures–Strawberry Gap Viewpoint, 6 sights

14.1 mi · ▲ 3,854 ft · 6 hr 38 min

Blue Ridge Pastures–Strawberry Gap Viewpoint, 6 sights is a 14.1-mile out-and-back in Wildcat Rock Preserve near Chestnut Hill, NC. The route passes Bearwallow Gap and Blue Ridge Pastures before reaching Strawberry Gap Viewpoint at the turnaround, 7.1 miles in. It climbs 3,854 ft, with sections as steep as 24% grade. It scores 51/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: backcountry feel.

Elevation

0 mi2,362 – 4,177 ft · steepest grade: 24%14.8 mi

Getting there

Trailhead: Wildcat Rock Trail 35.47329, -82.33210
Nearest town Chestnut Hill, NC
Google Maps Apple Maps

Directions

AMBLEWAYwww.ambleway.com

Blue Ridge Pastures–Strawberry Gap Viewpoint, 6 sights

14.1 mi · ▲ 3,854 ft · 6 hr 38 min

Elevation 2,362–4,178 ft

Out & Back · Wildcat Rock Preserve

Trailhead: Wildcat Rock Trail · 35.47329, -82.33210

Weather Sep 6: Heavy rain, high 85°F / low 69° · precip 46% · wind 4 mph · sunrise 7:05 AM · sunset 7:53 PM

No dogs on part of this route · Parking lot at the trailhead

  1. Start on Wildcat Rock Trail, heading W.
  2. 350 ftBear right, heading SW.
  3. 3.8 miContinue straight onto Bearwallow Mountain Trail, heading W.
  4. 0.8 miPass Bearwallow Gap.
  5. 50 ftContinue straight onto Trombatore Trail, heading NW.
  6. 2.3 miPass Strawberry Gap Viewpoint.
  7. 250 ftReach Blue Ridge Pastures, then turn around and head back the way you came.
  8. 2.4 miContinue straight onto Bearwallow Mountain Trail, heading SE.
  9. 0.8 miContinue straight onto Wildcat Rock Trail, heading NE.
  10. 3.8 miArrive back at the trailhead.

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

Trail map, photos and weather for this hike: www.ambleway.com/hikes/blue-ridge-pastures-strawberry-gap-viewpoint-out-back-6-sights-23-km-c76c

Trail surface

45% dirt55% unspecified

Weather

Heavy rainTemperature 85°F69°
Precip46%Wind4 mphUV7Humidity63%
Hourly temperatureRain chance
85°65° 12 AM: 5% rain1 AM: 5% rain2 AM: 5% rain3 AM: 3% rain4 AM: 2% rain5 AM: 1% rain6 AM: 2% rain7 AM: 2% rain8 AM: 2% rain9 AM: 2% rain10 AM: 3% rain11 AM: 5% rain12 PM: 8% rain1 PM: 11% rain2 PM: 16% rain3 PM: 29% rain4 PM: 36% rain5 PM: 36% rain6 PM: 46% rain7 PM: 32% rain8 PM: 32% rain9 PM: 36% rain10 PM: 32% rain11 PM: 38% rain
Sunrise 7:05 AM12 AM3 AM9 AM12 PM3 PM6 PMSunset 7:53 PM
Mon 68°61° 65%
Tue 79°58°
Wed 85°58°
Thu 85°61° 26%
Fri 86°64° 41%
Sat 80°64° 38%

Sunset

The best sunset spot on this hike is 1.6 mi in (~71 min). Leave by 6:22 PM for the 7:53 PM sunset. Back at your car by 8:48 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

More sunset hikes nearby

Good to know

  • No dogs on part of this route
  • Parking lot at the trailhead

More from Wildcat Rock Trail Trailhead

Hikes near Chestnut Hill, North Carolina