Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Shuckstack–Sassafras Gap Loop, 4 sights
11.3 mi · ▲ 3,002 ft · 5 hr 16 min
Shuckstack–Sassafras Gap Loop, 4 sights is an 11.3-mile loop in Great Smoky Mountains National Park near Fontana Village, NC. The route passes Shuckstack and Sassafras Gap. It climbs 3,002 ft, with sections as steep as 28% grade, and is mostly dirt. It scores 86/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: genuinely wild.
Elevation
Getting there
Directions
Shuckstack–Sassafras Gap Loop, 4 sights
11.3 mi · ▲ 3,002 ft · 5 hr 16 min
Elevation 1,769–4,011 ft
Loop · Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Trailhead: Lakeshore Trailhead Westside · 35.46105, -83.81105
Weather Sep 4: Fog, high 88°F / low 68° · precip 7% · wind 4 mph · sunrise 7:11 AM · sunset 8:00 PM
Parking lot at the trailhead
- Start on Appalachian And Lakeshore Trailhead Parking, heading S.
- 3.3 miContinue straight onto Shuckstack Fire Tower Trail, heading NE.
- 450 ftReach Shuckstack, then turn around and head back the way you came.
- 450 ftSharp right onto Appalachian Trail, heading N.
- 0.3 miPass Sassafras Gap.
- 50 ftBear right onto Lost Cove Trail, heading NE.
- 2.6 miBear right onto Lakeshore Trail, heading SE.
- 4.8 miThe loop closes 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
Good to know
- Parking lot at the trailhead
More from Lakeshore Trailhead Westside Trailhead
- Proctor Field Gap–Sassafras Gap, 4 saddles 11.2 mi · ▲ 3,633 ft
- Doe Knob–Buck Gap, 3 saddles 13.4 mi · ▲ 3,521 ft
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Hikes near Fontana Village, North Carolina