AMBLEWAY Wildest hikes

Cat Gap–Butter Gap Trail, 3 sights

15.5 mi · ▲ 4,047 ft · 7 hr 11 min

Cat Gap–Butter Gap Trail, 3 sights is a 15.5-mile out-and-back near Ecusta, NC. The route reaches Cat Gap. It climbs 4,047 ft, with sections as steep as 21% grade, and is mostly dirt. It scores 59/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: backcountry feel.

Elevation

0 mi2,129 – 3,845 ft · steepest grade: 21%15.7 mi

Getting there

Trailhead: Estatoe Trail 35.27350, -82.70677
Nearest town Ecusta, NC
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Directions

AMBLEWAYwww.ambleway.com

Cat Gap–Butter Gap Trail, 3 sights

15.5 mi · ▲ 4,047 ft · 7 hr 11 min

Elevation 2,128–3,844 ft

Out & Back

Trailhead: Estatoe Trail · 35.27350, -82.70677

Weather Sep 5: sunrise 7:06 AM · sunset 7:55 PM

Parking lot at the trailhead

  1. Start at the trailhead, heading SW.
  2. 0.4 miTurn right onto Art Loeb Trail, heading NW.
  3. 1.5 miContinue straight onto Joel Branch Road, heading NW.
  4. 150 ftContinue straight onto Art Loeb Trail, heading NW.
  5. 1.4 miTurn left onto North Slope Connector Trail, heading SW.
  6. 50 ftBear right onto Art Loeb Trail, heading SW.
  7. 2.3 miContinue straight onto Cat Gap Loop Trail, heading W.
  8. 50 ftPass Cat Gap.
  9. 1.6 miBear left onto Butter Gap Trail, heading NW.
  10. 0.5 miReach Cat Gap, then turn around and head back the way you came.
  11. 0.5 miBear right onto Cat Gap Loop Trail, heading SE.
  12. 1.6 miContinue straight onto Art Loeb Trail, heading E.
  13. 2.3 miBear left onto North Slope Connector Trail, heading NE.
  14. 50 ftTurn right onto Art Loeb Trail, heading NE.
  15. 1.4 miContinue straight onto Joel Branch Road, heading E.
  16. 150 ftContinue straight onto Art Loeb Trail, heading E.
  17. 1.5 miTurn left, heading E.
  18. 0.4 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/cat-gap-butter-gap-trail-out-back-3-sights-25-km

Trail surface

95% dirt5% unspecified

Weather

Sunrise 7:06 AMSunset 7:55 PM

Good to know

  • Parking lot at the trailhead

More from Estatoe Trail Trailhead

Hikes near Ecusta, North Carolina