Kessel Run–Trail, 4 sights
5.4 mi · ▲ 1,722 ft · 2 hr 40 min
Kessel Run–Trail, 4 sights is a 5.4-mile out-and-back near Oconaluftee Indian Village, NC. It climbs 1,722 ft, with sections as steep as 16% grade. It scores 30/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: green fringe.
Elevation
0 mi2,267 – 3,786 ft · steepest grade: 16%6.1 mi
Getting there
Trailhead: Trail 35.49560, -83.33482
Nearest town Oconaluftee Indian Village, NC
Directions
AMBLEWAYwww.ambleway.com
Kessel Run–Trail, 4 sights
5.4 mi · ▲ 1,722 ft · 2 hr 40 min
Elevation 2,268–3,785 ft
Out & Back
Trailhead: Trail · 35.49560, -83.33482
Weather Sep 5: sunrise 7:09 AM · sunset 7:58 PM
- Start on Trail, heading SW.
- 1.9 miBear left onto Kessel Run, heading E.
- 50 ftBear left onto fire tower, heading E.
- 150 ftBear right onto Uktena, heading E.
- 0.2 miSharp right onto Tinker's Dream, heading E.
- 0.3 miTurn right onto lazy elk, heading W.
- 50 ftBear left onto Tinker's Dream, heading W.
- 100 ftBear right onto lazy elk, heading W.
- 150 ftTurn left onto Kessel Run, heading SW.
- 200 ftContinue straight onto lazy elk, heading SW.
- 50 ftContinue straight onto Kessel Run, heading W.
- 150 ftBear right onto lazy elk, heading W.
- 200 ftBear left onto Kessel Run, heading S.
- 50 ftContinue straight onto lazy elk, heading S.
- 150 ftBear right onto Kessel Run, heading SW.
- 50 ftBear left onto lazy elk, heading SW.
- 50 ftReach Trail, then turn around and head back the way you came.
- 50 ftBear right onto Kessel Run, heading SW.
- 50 ftBear left onto lazy elk, heading SW.
- 150 ftContinue straight onto Kessel Run, heading SW.
- 50 ftBear right onto lazy elk, heading W.
- 200 ftBear left onto Kessel Run, heading S.
- 150 ftContinue straight onto lazy elk, heading W.
- 50 ftContinue straight onto Kessel Run, heading W.
- 200 ftTurn right onto lazy elk, heading S.
- 150 ftBear left onto Tinker's Dream, heading SW.
- 100 ftBear right onto lazy elk, heading W.
- 50 ftTurn left onto Tinker's Dream, heading W.
- 0.3 miSharp left onto Uktena, heading NE.
- 0.2 miBear left onto fire tower, heading E.
- 150 ftBear right onto Kessel Run, heading NE.
- 50 ftBear right onto fire tower, heading N.
- 1.7 miTurn right onto 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.
Trail surface
51% dirt49% unspecified
Weather
Sunrise 7:09 AMSunset 7:58 PM
More from Trail Trailhead
- Uktena Viewpoint–Kessel Run, 4 sights 4.3 mi · ▲ 1,200 ft
- Tinker's Dream–Trail, 4 sights 5.6 mi · ▲ 1,636 ft
Get outside more
A wild hike near Oconaluftee Indian Village, emailed to you once a week.
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