Haw Creek Valley (MP 380.0) & Craven Gap via Mountains-to-Sea Trail
5.9 mi · ▲ 1,138 ft · 2 hr 32 min
Haw Creek Valley (MP 380.0) & Craven Gap via Mountains-to-Sea Trail is a 5.9-mile out-and-back near Riceville, NC. The route passes Craven Gap before reaching Haw Creek Valley (MP 380.0) at the turnaround, 2.9 miles in. It climbs 1,138 ft, with sections as steep as 23% grade. It scores 2/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: paved and peopled.
Elevation
Getting there
Directions
Haw Creek Valley (MP 380.0) & Craven Gap via Mountains-to-Sea Trail
5.9 mi · ▲ 1,138 ft · 2 hr 32 min
Elevation 2,838–3,221 ft
Out & Back
Trailhead: Craven Gap Trail · 35.64796, -82.49182
Weather Sep 5: Overcast, high 88°F / low 70° · precip 12% · wind 3 mph · sunrise 7:05 AM · sunset 7:55 PM
Dogs allowed on leash · Parking lot at the trailhead
- Start on Mountains to Sea Connector Trail, heading NE.
- 50 ftPass Craven Gap.
- 300 ftSharp right onto Mountains-to-Sea Trail, heading S.
- 2.9 miSharp right onto Lunch Rock Trail, heading NE.
- 50 ftReach Haw Creek Valley (MP 380.0), then turn around and head back the way you came.
- 50 ftSharp left onto Mountains-to-Sea Trail, heading N.
- 2.9 miSharp left onto Mountains to Sea Connector Trail, heading SW.
- 250 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 right at the trailhead, so there is no walk out. Be there by 7:35 PM to have the sun's last 20 minutes of sky before it sets at 7:55 PM. Your car is right there — dark at 8:21 PM.
Good to know
- Dogs allowed on leash
- Parking lot at the trailhead
More from Craven Gap Trail Trailhead
- Tanbark Ridge Overlook (MP 376.7) & Craven Gap via Mountains-to-Sea Trail 1.5 mi · ▲ 269 ft
- Craven Gap & Folk Art Center via Mountains-to-Sea Trail 11.4 mi · ▲ 2,051 ft
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Hikes near Riceville, North Carolina