Brushy Knob–Big Piney Ridge Trail, 3 sights

3 mi · ▲ 1,222 ft · 1 hr 37 min

Brushy Knob–Big Piney Ridge Trail, 3 sights is a 3-mile out-and-back near Montreat, NC. The route reaches Brushy Knob at the turnaround, 1.5 miles in. It climbs 1,222 ft, with sections as steep as 36% grade, and is mostly dirt. It scores 51/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: backcountry feel.

Elevation

0 mi2,940 – 4,164 ft · steepest grade: 36%3.0 mi

Getting there

Trailhead: Lower Piney Trail 35.65371, -82.29954
Nearest town Montreat, NC

Directions

AMBLEWAYwww.ambleway.com

Brushy Knob–Big Piney Ridge Trail, 3 sights

3 mi · ▲ 1,222 ft · 1 hr 37 min

Elevation 2,940–4,162 ft

Out & Back

Trailhead: Lower Piney Trail · 35.65371, -82.29954

Weather Sep 5: sunrise 7:05 AM · sunset 7:53 PM

Dogs allowed on leash · Parking lot at the trailhead

  1. Start on Lower Piney Trail, heading SW.
  2. 0.5 miTurn right onto Big Piney Ridge Trail, heading N.
  3. 1 miReach Brushy Knob, then turn around and head back the way you came.
  4. 1 miTurn left onto Lower Piney Trail, heading SE.
  5. 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

100% dirt

Weather

Sunrise 7:05 AMSunset 7:53 PM

Sunset

The best sunset spot on this hike is 1.4 mi in (~69 min). Leave by 6:24 PM for the 7:53 PM sunset. Back at your car by 8:42 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

More sunset hikes nearby

Good to know

  • Dogs allowed on leash
  • Parking lot at the trailhead

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