Lookout Rock–Green Gap Loop, 7 sights
7.4 mi · ▲ 2,173 ft · 3 hr 33 min
Lookout Rock–Green Gap Loop, 7 sights is a 7.4-mile loop near Fontana Village, NC. The route passes Green Gap and Lookout Rock. It climbs 2,173 ft, with sections as steep as 33% grade. It scores 38/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: green fringe.
Elevation
Getting there
Directions
Lookout Rock–Green Gap Loop, 7 sights
7.4 mi · ▲ 2,173 ft · 3 hr 33 min
Elevation 1,874–3,617 ft
Loop
Trailhead: Benton MacKaye Trail · 35.43249, -83.82021
Weather Sep 5: sunrise 7:11 AM · sunset 8:00 PM
Parking lot at the trailhead
- Start on Benton MacKaye Trail, heading SW.
- 350 ftBear left onto Squatter Trail, heading SW.
- 50 ftBear right onto Benton MacKaye Trail, heading W.
- 50 ftContinue straight onto Squatter Trail, heading W.
- 50 ftTurn right onto Fontana Loop Trail, heading W.
- 50 ftTurn left onto Benton MacKaye Trail, heading W.
- 50 ftContinue straight onto Squatter Trail, heading W.
- 50 ftContinue straight onto Benton MacKaye Trail, heading W.
- 50 ftContinue straight onto Fontana Loop Trail, heading W.
- 50 ftBear left onto Benton MacKaye Trail, heading W.
- 100 ftBear left onto Whiting Rail Trail, heading SW.
- 100 ftBear left onto Benton MacKaye Trail, heading SW.
- 50 ftContinue straight onto Whiting Rail Trail, heading SW.
- 50 ftContinue straight onto Benton MacKaye Trail, heading S.
- 350 ftBear left onto Whiting Rail Trail, heading SW.
- 50 ftContinue straight onto Benton MacKaye Trail, heading S.
- 0.1 miSharp right onto Whiting Rail Trail, heading S.
- 50 ftTurn left onto Benton MacKaye Trail, heading S.
- 0.2 miBear left onto Lookout Rock Trail, heading S.
- 0.4 miPass Green Gap.
- 150 ftSharp right onto Yellow Creek Mountain Trail, heading SW.
- 0.1 miTurn right onto Lookout Rock Trail, heading SW.
- 50 ftReach Lookout Rock, then turn around and head back the way you came.
- 50 ftTurn left onto Yellow Creek Mountain Trail, heading SW.
- 1.7 miTurn left onto Appalachian Trail, heading NE.
- 2.4 miTurn left onto Old Fontana Forest Road, heading E.
- 0.7 miContinue straight onto Bee Cove Trail, heading W.
- 100 ftTurn left onto Old Fontana Forest Road, heading W.
- 50 ftBear right, heading W.
- 0.2 miContinue straight onto Fontana Loop Trail, heading SW.
- 1.1 miContinue straight onto Benton MacKaye Trail, heading NE.
- 0.2 miContinue straight onto Substation Road, heading W.
- 100 ftThe 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 2.0 mi in (~82 min). Leave by 6:18 PM for the 8:00 PM sunset. Back at your car by 9:06 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp. Car visible from the viewpoint
Good to know
- Parking lot at the trailhead
More from Benton MacKaye Trail Trailhead
- Hoor Hollow Trail 2.2 mi · ▲ 272 ft
- Fontana Loop Trail & Lewellyn Cove Nature Trail 3.3 mi · ▲ 732 ft
- Benton MacKaye Trail–Fontana Loop Trail, 3 sights 3.7 mi · ▲ 916 ft
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Hikes near Fontana Village, North Carolina