Rocky Knob–Pots Cove Gap, 3 saddles
9.4 mi · ▲ 2,248 ft · 4 hr 15 min
Rocky Knob–Pots Cove Gap, 3 saddles is a 9.4-mile out-and-back in Rocky Knob near Montreat, NC. The route passes Pots Cove Gap before reaching Rocky Knob at the turnaround, 4.7 miles in. It climbs 2,248 ft, with sections as steep as 29% grade. It scores 87/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: genuinely wild.
Elevation
Getting there
Directions
Rocky Knob–Pots Cove Gap, 3 saddles
9.4 mi · ▲ 2,248 ft · 4 hr 15 min
Elevation 3,003–5,261 ft
Out & Back · Rocky Knob
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 miPass Pots Cove Gap.
- 250 ftSharp left, heading NE.
- 50 ftTurn left onto Old Mitchell Toll Road, heading NE.
- 3.1 miTurn left, heading E.
- 50 ftContinue straight onto Rocky Knob Trail, heading E.
- 0.3 miReach Rocky Knob, then turn around and head back the way you came.
- 0.3 miTurn right onto Old Mitchell Toll Road, heading E.
- 3.1 miTurn right, heading SW.
- 50 ftSharp right onto Graybeard Trail, heading S.
- 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 4.7 mi in (~175 min). Leave by 4:39 PM for the 7:54 PM sunset. Back at your car by 10:03 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
- Rocky Head–Long Gap, 3 summits 4.7 mi · ▲ 1,368 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
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Hikes near Montreat, North Carolina