Rocky Head–Shelter View, 7 saddles
3.7 mi · ▲ 1,151 ft · 1 hr 49 min
Rocky Head–Shelter View, 7 saddles is a 3.7-mile out-and-back near Montreat, NC. The route passes Sourwood Gap, Rocky Head, Long Gap and 2 more. It climbs 1,151 ft, with sections as steep as 42% grade. It scores 73/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: backcountry feel.
Elevation
Getting there
Directions
Rocky Head–Shelter View, 7 saddles
3.7 mi · ▲ 1,151 ft · 1 hr 49 min
Elevation 3,180–4,002 ft
Out & Back
Trailhead: Appalachian Way · 35.64986, -82.29298
Weather Sep 4: Overcast, high 86°F / low 70° · precip 23% · wind 5 mph · sunrise 7:04 AM · sunset 7:54 PM
Dogs allowed on leash
- Start on Appalachian Way, heading NE.
- 0.4 miContinue straight onto Old Trestle Road, heading E.
- 0.1 miSharp left onto East Ridge Trail, heading N.
- 50 ftPass Sourwood Gap.
- 0.5 miPass Rocky Head.
- 0.2 miPass Long Gap.
- 50 ftSharp right onto Old Trestle Road, heading N.
- 50 ftBear right onto Old Mitchell Toll Road, heading N.
- 0.3 miBear left, heading SE.
- 0.6 miContinue straight onto East Ridge Trail, heading S.
- 0.5 miContinue straight onto Old Mitchell Toll Road, heading S.
- 50 ftPass Buck Gap.
- 50 ftTurn right onto Buck Gap Trail, heading S.
- 450 ftPass Shelter View.
- 50 ftBear right onto Old Trestle Road, heading S.
- 0.6 miContinue straight onto Appalachian Way, heading N.
- 0.4 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 1.1 mi in (~43 min). Leave by 6:51 PM for the 7:54 PM sunset. Back at your car by 8:40 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.
Good to know
- Dogs allowed on leash
More from Appalachian Way Trailhead
- Shelter View–Rainbow Gap, 4 sights 3.8 mi · ▲ 874 ft
- Copperhead Mountain–Lookout Mountain, 5 summits 4 mi · ▲ 1,583 ft
- Shelter View–Sourwood Gap, 6 saddles 6.9 mi · ▲ 1,800 ft
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