Marks Mountain Trail–Mountains-to-Sea Trail, 4 sights
13.1 mi · ▲ 2,279 ft · 5 hr 30 min
Marks Mountain Trail–Mountains-to-Sea Trail, 4 sights is a 13.1-mile out-and-back near Grandfather, NC. The route reaches Old House Gap. It climbs 2,279 ft, with sections as steep as 20% grade. It scores 62/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: backcountry feel.
Elevation
Getting there
Directions
Marks Mountain Trail–Mountains-to-Sea Trail, 4 sights
13.1 mi · ▲ 2,279 ft · 5 hr 30 min
Elevation 2,414–4,312 ft
Out & Back
Trailhead: Beacon Heights Trail · 36.08391, -81.83018
Weather Sep 6: sunrise 7:04 AM · sunset 7:50 PM
Parking lot at the trailhead
- Start on Beacon Heights Trail, heading E.
- 0.1 miBear right onto Mountains-to-Sea Trail, heading SW.
- 2.6 miContinue straight onto Yancey Ridge Trail, heading SE.
- 50 ftPass Old House Gap.
- 0.3 miSharp right onto Marks Mountain Trail, heading E.
- 3.4 miReach Mountains-to-Sea Trail, then turn around and head back the way you came.
- 3.4 miSharp left onto Yancey Ridge Trail, heading NE.
- 0.3 miContinue straight onto Mountains-to-Sea Trail, heading N.
- 2.6 miBear left onto Beacon Heights Trail, heading E.
- 0.1 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
Weather
Sunset
The best sunset spot on this hike is 0.2 mi in (~7 min). Leave by 7:23 PM for the 7:50 PM sunset. Back at your car by 8:09 PM — 7 min before dark.
Good to know
- Parking lot at the trailhead
More from Beacon Heights Trail Trailhead
- Tanawha Viewpoint & Tanawha Trail 3.4 mi · ▲ 605 ft
- Tanawha Trail 7.1 mi · ▲ 1,507 ft
- Mountains-to-Sea Trail–Roseboro Gragg Road, 4 sights 8.3 mi · ▲ 1,685 ft
- Beacon Heights–Beacon Heights Viewpoint, 5 sights 11.7 mi · ▲ 2,431 ft
- Mountains-to-Sea Trail–Old House Gap Road, 3 sights 16 mi · ▲ 2,947 ft
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Hikes near Grandfather, North Carolina