Cold Knob–479H, 7 sights
6.1 mi · ▲ 1,962 ft · 3 hr 1 min
Cold Knob–479H, 7 sights is a 6.1-mile out-and-back near Bent Creek, NC. The route reaches Cold Knob. It climbs 1,962 ft, with sections as steep as 42% grade. It scores 57/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: backcountry feel.
Elevation
Getting there
Directions
Cold Knob–479H, 7 sights
6.1 mi · ▲ 1,962 ft · 3 hr 1 min
Elevation 2,194–3,667 ft
Out & Back
Trailhead: Bent Creek Gap Road · 35.48172, -82.63526
Weather Sep 5: Overcast, high 92°F / low 72° · precip 21% · wind 3 mph · sunrise 7:07 AM · sunset 7:54 PM
Parking lot at the trailhead
- Start on Boyd Branch Road, heading NW.
- 350 ftTurn left onto Lower Sidehill Trail, heading SW.
- 0.9 miTurn left onto Lower Sidehill Connector, heading SE.
- 0.4 miBear right onto Bent Creek Gap Road, heading SW.
- 250 ftBear left onto 479H, heading S.
- 300 ftBear right onto long branch, heading SW.
- 0.5 miSharp left onto South Ridge Road, heading SW.
- 50 ftTurn right onto long branch, heading SW.
- 0.3 miContinue straight onto cold knob ridge, heading S.
- 0.5 miPass Cold Knob.
- 50 ftContinue straight onto cold knob boundary trail, heading S.
- 0.4 miReach Cold Knob, then turn around and head back the way you came.
- 0.4 miContinue straight onto cold knob ridge, heading NW.
- 0.5 miContinue straight onto long branch, heading N.
- 0.3 miTurn left onto South Ridge Road, heading NE.
- 50 ftSharp right onto long branch, heading NE.
- 0.5 miBear left onto 479H, heading NE.
- 300 ftBear right onto Bent Creek Gap Road, heading NE.
- 250 ftBear left onto Lower Sidehill Connector, heading N.
- 0.4 miTurn right onto Lower Sidehill Trail, heading NW.
- 0.9 miTurn right onto Boyd Branch Road, heading NE.
- 200 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
Weather
Sunset
The best sunset spot on this hike is 2.9 mi in (~120 min). Leave by 5:34 PM for the 7:54 PM sunset. Back at your car by 9:25 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.
Good to know
- Parking lot at the trailhead
More from Bent Creek Gap Road Trailhead
- Bent Creek Gap Road 2 mi · ▲ 190 ft
- Lower Sidehill Connector & Lower Sidehill Trail Loop via Bent Creek Gap Road 2.2 mi · ▲ 171 ft
- 479H & Explorer Loop via Bent Creek Gap Road 2.2 mi · ▲ 113 ft
- Bent Creek Gap Road 2.3 mi · ▲ 190 ft
- Lake Powhatan–Lake Powhatan Beach, 4 sights 2.6 mi · ▲ 181 ft
- Boyd Branch Trail & Boyd Logging Trail via Little Hickory Top 2.8 mi · ▲ 633 ft
Get outside more
A wild hike near Bent Creek, emailed to you once a week.
Hikes near Bent Creek, North Carolina