High Rocks–Whistling Gap, 3 summits
12.1 mi · ▲ 3,680 ft · 5 hr 52 min
High Rocks–Whistling Gap, 3 summits is a 12.1-mile out-and-back near Bald Mountain, NC. The route passes Whistling Gap before reaching High Rocks at the turnaround, 6 miles in. It climbs 3,680 ft, with sections as steep as 21% grade. It scores 76/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: genuinely wild.
Elevation
Getting there
Directions
High Rocks–Whistling Gap, 3 summits
12.1 mi · ▲ 3,680 ft · 5 hr 52 min
Elevation 3,842–5,515 ft
Out & Back
Trailhead: Big Bald Bypass Trail · 35.98792, -82.48889
Weather Sep 4: Overcast, high 76°F / low 62° · precip 9% · wind 4 mph · sunrise 7:05 AM · sunset 7:55 PM
Parking lot at the trailhead
- Start on Big Bald Bypass Trail, heading W.
- 0.4 miSharp right onto Appalachian Trail, heading N.
- 5.1 miPass Whistling Gap.
- 0.7 miReach High Rocks, then turn around and head back the way you came.
- 5.8 miSharp left onto Big Bald Bypass Trail, heading SW.
- 0.2 miArrive back at the trailhead.
Each distance is the walk from the previous step. Tap a step for a map of its junction.
Weather
Sunset
The best sunset spot on this hike is 0.2 mi in (~4 min). Leave by 7:31 PM for the 7:55 PM sunset. Back at your car by 8:17 PM — 5 min before dark. Car visible from the viewpoint
Good to know
- Parking lot at the trailhead
More from Big Bald Bypass Trail Trailhead
- Wolf Laurel Nature Sunset Point & Big Bald Bypass Trail via Appalachian Trail 4.5 mi · ▲ 1,034 ft
- High Rock–Wolf Laurel Nature Sunset Point, 6 saddles 15.5 mi · ▲ 3,800 ft
Get outside more
A wild hike near Bald Mountain, emailed to you once a week.
Hikes near Bald Mountain, North Carolina