Elk Pen Trail–Laurel Gap Trail Loop, 6 sights
8.4 mi · ▲ 1,862 ft · 3 hr 44 min
Elk Pen Trail–Laurel Gap Trail Loop, 6 sights is an 8.4-mile loop near Dillingham, NC. It climbs 1,862 ft, with sections as steep as 25% grade. It scores 73/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: backcountry feel.
Elevation
Getting there
Directions
Elk Pen Trail–Laurel Gap Trail Loop, 6 sights
8.4 mi · ▲ 1,862 ft · 3 hr 44 min
Elevation 2,649–4,511 ft
Loop
Trailhead: Lower Staire · 35.75362, -82.37765
Weather Sep 4: Overcast, high 86°F / low 71° · precip 17% · wind 4 mph · sunrise 7:05 AM · sunset 7:54 PM
Horses allowed on the whole route
- Start on Walker Creek Trail, heading E.
- 1.8 miBear left onto Big Ivy Road, heading SE.
- 50 ftContinue straight onto Perkins Trail, heading SE.
- 1.1 miSharp left onto Laurel Gap Trail, heading NE.
- 2.4 miContinue straight onto Little Andy Trail, heading W.
- 0.6 miSharp right onto Big Ivy Road, heading SW.
- 0.3 miSharp left onto Elk Pen Trail, heading E.
- 1.4 miTurn left onto Big Ivy Road, heading W.
- 0.2 miTurn left onto Lower Staire, heading S.
- 0.4 miThe loop closes 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 1.0 mi in (~41 min). Leave by 6:54 PM for the 7:54 PM sunset. Back at your car by 8:33 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.
Good to know
- Horses allowed on the whole route
More from Lower Staire Trailhead
- Stair Creek Trail & Walker Creek Trail 3.2 mi · ▲ 1,221 ft
- Elk Pen Trail–Little Andy Trail, 3 sights 4.9 mi · ▲ 969 ft
- Bear Pen Trail–Perkins Trail, 4 sights 8 mi · ▲ 1,982 ft
Get outside more
A wild hike near Dillingham, emailed to you once a week.
Hikes near Dillingham, North Carolina