AMBLEWAY Wildest hikes

Lover's Leap–Pump Gap, 3 saddles

14.4 mi · ▲ 2,316 ft · 5 hr 57 min

Lover's Leap–Pump Gap, 3 saddles is a 14.4-mile out-and-back near Runion, NC. The route passes Pump Gap before reaching Lover's Leap at the turnaround, 7.2 miles in. It climbs 2,316 ft, with sections as steep as 22% grade. It scores 56/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: backcountry feel.

Elevation

0 mi1,772 – 2,664 ft · steepest grade: 22%14.7 mi

Getting there

Trailhead: Mill Ridge Trail 35.90369, -82.79008
Nearest town Runion, NC
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Directions

AMBLEWAYwww.ambleway.com

Lover's Leap–Pump Gap, 3 saddles

14.4 mi · ▲ 2,316 ft · 5 hr 57 min

Elevation 1,771–2,663 ft

Out & Back

Trailhead: Mill Ridge Trail · 35.90369, -82.79008

Weather Sep 5: Overcast, high 88°F / low 67° · precip 10% · wind 3 mph · sunrise 7:06 AM · sunset 7:56 PM

Parking lot at the trailhead

  1. Start on Mill Ridge Trail, heading E.
  2. 3.1 miBear left, heading SW.
  3. 250 ftBear left, heading W.
  4. 1.1 miTurn left onto Pump Gap Loop, heading SW.
  5. 50 ftBear right, heading S.
  6. 1.1 miPass Pump Gap.
  7. 100 ftTurn left onto Appalachian Trail, heading W.
  8. 1.9 miReach Lover's Leap, then turn around and head back the way you came.
  9. 1.9 miTurn right onto Pump Gap Loop, heading N.
  10. 1.1 miBear left, heading N.
  11. 150 ftTurn right, heading N.
  12. 1.1 miBear right onto Mill Ridge Trail, heading SE.
  13. 150 ftSharp left, heading NE.
  14. 3 miArrive back at the trailhead.

Each distance is the walk from the previous step. Tap a step for a map of its junction.

Trail map, photos and weather for this hike: www.ambleway.com/hikes/lovers-leap-pump-gap-out-back-3-saddles-23-km

Trail surface

42% dirt58% unspecified

Weather

OvercastTemperature 88°F67°
Precip10%Wind3 mphUV7Humidity67%
Hourly temperature
90°65°
Sunrise 7:06 AM12 AM3 AM9 AM12 PM3 PM6 PMSunset 7:56 PM
Sat 90°70° 28%
Sun 83°69° 34%
Mon 76°62° 21%
Tue 83°58°
Wed 83°58°
Thu 86°62° 22%

Good to know

  • Parking lot at the trailhead

More from Mill Ridge Trail Trailhead

Hikes near Runion, North Carolina