AMBLEWAY Wildest hikes

Rattlesnake Mountain via Rattlesnake Trail

2.3 mi · ▲ 862 ft · 1 hr 12 min

Rattlesnake Mountain via Rattlesnake Trail is a 2.3-mile out-and-back near Ridgecrest, NC. The route reaches Rattlesnake Mountain at the turnaround, 1.1 miles in. It climbs 862 ft, with sections as steep as 30% grade, and is mostly dirt. It scores 10/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: paved and peopled.

Elevation

0 mi2,681 – 3,557 ft · steepest grade: 30%2.6 mi

Getting there

Trailhead: Nature Trail 35.62553, -82.27700
Nearest town Ridgecrest, NC
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Directions

AMBLEWAYwww.ambleway.com

Rattlesnake Mountain via Rattlesnake Trail

2.3 mi · ▲ 862 ft · 1 hr 12 min

Elevation 2,682–3,558 ft

Out & Back

Trailhead: Nature Trail · 35.62553, -82.27700

Weather Sep 4: Overcast, high 88°F / low 66° · precip 25% · wind 3 mph · sunrise 7:04 AM · sunset 7:54 PM

Dogs allowed on leash

  1. Start on Nature Trail, heading N.
  2. 0.3 miTurn right onto Mount Mitchell Road, heading N.
  3. 150 ftTurn left, heading W.
  4. 150 ftSharp right, heading N.
  5. 50 ftSharp left, heading NE.
  6. 0.1 miBear right onto Lake Trail, heading SW.
  7. 450 ftSharp left onto Rattlesnake Trail, heading NE.
  8. 0.5 miBear left onto Rattlesnake Mountain Trail, heading NW.
  9. 400 ftReach Rattlesnake Mountain, then turn around and head back the way you came.
  10. 400 ftBear right onto Rattlesnake Trail, heading SW.
  11. 0.5 miSharp right, heading NE.
  12. 400 ftContinue straight onto Lake Trail, heading E.
  13. 50 ftBear left, heading E.
  14. 0.1 miSharp right, heading S.
  15. 50 ftSharp left, heading S.
  16. 100 ftTurn right onto Mount Mitchell Road, heading S.
  17. 150 ftTurn left onto Nature Trail, heading SE.
  18. 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 map, photos and weather for this hike: www.ambleway.com/hikes/rattlesnake-mountain-out-back-487b

Trail surface

83% dirt14% gravel1% boardwalk2% unspecified

Weather

OvercastTemperature 88°F66°
Precip25%Wind3 mphUV7Humidity72%
Hourly temperatureRain chance
90°65° 12 PM: 1% rain1 PM: 4% rain2 PM: 11% rain3 PM: 20% rain4 PM: 25% rain5 PM: 24% rain6 PM: 10% rain7 PM: 5% rain8 PM: 3% rain
Sunrise 7:04 AM12 AM3 AM9 AM12 PM3 PM6 PMSunset 7:54 PM
Sat 90°68°
Sun 87°67° 68%
Mon 72°64° 53%
Tue 75°58°
Wed 84°61°
Thu 86°67°

Sunset

The best sunset spot on this hike is 1.0 mi in (~44 min). Leave by 6:50 PM for the 7:54 PM sunset. Back at your car by 8:34 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

More sunset hikes nearby

Good to know

  • Dogs allowed on leash

More from Nature Trail Trailhead

Hikes near Ridgecrest, North Carolina