Rocky Head–Long Gap, 3 summits
4.7 mi · ▲ 1,368 ft · 2 hr 15 min
Rocky Head–Long Gap, 3 summits is a 4.7-mile out-and-back near Montreat, NC. The route passes Long Gap before reaching Rocky Head at the turnaround, 2.4 miles in. It climbs 1,368 ft, with sections as steep as 26% grade, and is mostly dirt. It scores 81/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: genuinely wild.
Elevation
Getting there
Directions
Rocky Head–Long Gap, 3 summits
4.7 mi · ▲ 1,368 ft · 2 hr 15 min
Elevation 3,003–3,998 ft
Out & Back
Trailhead: Graybeard Trail · 35.65954, -82.29599
Weather Sep 4: Light drizzle, high 86°F / low 72° · precip 23% · wind 7 mph · sunrise 7:04 AM · sunset 7:54 PM
Dogs allowed on leash · Parking lot at the trailhead
- Start on Graybeard Trail, heading E.
- 1.4 miContinue straight onto Old Trestle Road, heading S.
- 0.7 miPass Long Gap.
- 250 ftContinue straight onto East Ridge Trail, heading S.
- 0.2 miReach Rocky Head, then turn around and head back the way you came.
- 0.2 miContinue straight onto Old Trestle Road, heading N.
- 0.8 miContinue straight onto Graybeard Trail, heading N.
- 1.3 miArrive back at the trailhead.
Each distance is the walk from the previous step. Tap a step for a map of its junction.
Trail surface
Weather
Sunset
The best sunset spot on this hike is 2.4 mi in (~90 min). Leave by 6:04 PM for the 7:54 PM sunset. Back at your car by 9:12 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.
Good to know
- Dogs allowed on leash
- Parking lot at the trailhead
More from Graybeard Trail Trailhead
- Pots Cove–Pots Cove Gap, 3 saddles 2.8 mi · ▲ 914 ft
- Long Gap–Graybeard Trail, 3 sights 4.3 mi · ▲ 1,104 ft
- Graybeard Falls–Pots Cove Gap, 3 saddles 6.4 mi · ▲ 1,496 ft
- Pots Cove–Pots Cove Gap, 3 saddles 6.4 mi · ▲ 1,519 ft
- Walker's Knob–Walkers Knob, 4 summits 7.3 mi · ▲ 1,809 ft
- Pots Cove Gap–Long Gap, 3 saddles 8.2 mi · ▲ 1,671 ft
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Hikes near Montreat, North Carolina