Rocky Head–Pots Cove, 5 saddles
3.5 mi · ▲ 1,561 ft · 1 hr 57 min
Rocky Head–Pots Cove, 5 saddles is a 3.5-mile out-and-back near Montreat, NC. The route passes Rocky Head, Long Gap and Pots Cove Gap before reaching Pots Cove at the turnaround, 1.8 miles in. It climbs 1,561 ft, with sections as steep as 41% grade, and is mostly dirt. It scores 76/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: genuinely wild.
Elevation
Getting there
Directions
Rocky Head–Pots Cove, 5 saddles
3.5 mi · ▲ 1,561 ft · 1 hr 57 min
Elevation 2,922–4,009 ft
Out & Back
Trailhead: Rocky Head Trail · 35.65718, -82.29719
Weather Sep 6: Overcast, high 86°F / low 69° · precip 37% · wind 2 mph · sunrise 7:06 AM · sunset 7:51 PM
Dogs allowed on leash
- Start on Rocky Head Trail, heading SE.
- 0.8 miTurn left onto East Ridge Trail, heading NE.
- 50 ftPass Rocky Head.
- 0.2 miContinue straight onto Old Trestle Road, heading N.
- 50 ftPass Long Gap.
- 0.7 miBear right, heading NE.
- 50 ftBear left, heading NE.
- 50 ftPass Pots Cove Gap.
- 50 ftPass Pots Cove.
- 50 ftReach Rocky Head, then turn around and head back the way you came.
- 100 ftBear right, heading NE.
- 0.7 miContinue straight onto East Ridge Trail, heading S.
- 0.2 miTurn right onto Rocky Head Trail, heading SW.
- 0.8 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 0.8 mi in (~52 min). Leave by 6:39 PM for the 7:51 PM sunset. Back at your car by 8:26 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.
Good to know
- Dogs allowed on leash
More from Rocky Head Trail Trailhead
- Glass Rock Knob–Rocky Head, 6 summits 14 mi · ▲ 3,365 ft
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Hikes near Montreat, North Carolina