Sourwood Gap–Buck Gap, 4 saddles
7.3 mi · ▲ 2,226 ft · 3 hr 33 min
Sourwood Gap–Buck Gap, 4 saddles is a 7.3-mile out-and-back near Ridgecrest, NC. The route passes Buck Gap and Sourwood Gap. It climbs 2,226 ft, with sections as steep as 22% grade, and is mostly dirt. It scores 57/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: backcountry feel.
Elevation
Getting there
Directions
Sourwood Gap–Buck Gap, 4 saddles
7.3 mi · ▲ 2,226 ft · 3 hr 33 min
Elevation 2,782–3,889 ft
Out & Back
Trailhead: 35.62584, -82.27392
Weather Sep 5: Overcast, high 90°F / low 68° · precip 15% · wind 5 mph · sunrise 7:04 AM · sunset 7:54 PM
Dogs allowed on leash
- Start at the trailhead, heading SE.
- 0.1 miSharp left onto Royal Gorge Trail, heading N.
- 0.8 miBear right onto Adventure Trail, heading N.
- 1.5 miSharp right onto Old Mitchell Toll Road, heading S.
- 0.2 miContinue straight onto East Ridge Trail, heading NW.
- 400 ftPass Buck Gap.
- 50 ftBear left onto Old Mitchell Toll Road, heading N.
- 150 ftContinue straight onto East Ridge Trail, heading NE.
- 0.4 miPass Sourwood Gap.
- 150 ftTurn left onto Old Trestle Road, heading N.
- 0.1 miContinue straight onto Appalachian Way, heading NW.
- 0.4 miReach Sourwood Gap, then turn around and head back the way you came.
- 0.4 miContinue straight onto Old Trestle Road, heading NW.
- 0.1 miTurn right onto East Ridge Trail, heading NE.
- 0.5 miContinue straight onto Old Mitchell Toll Road, heading E.
- 150 ftBear right onto East Ridge Trail, heading E.
- 450 ftContinue straight onto Old Mitchell Toll Road, heading S.
- 0.2 miSharp left onto Adventure Trail, heading S.
- 1.5 miBear left onto Mount Mitchell Road, heading SW.
- 0.8 miSharp right, heading W.
- 250 ftArrive 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 2.5 mi in (~92 min). Leave by 6:02 PM for the 7:54 PM sunset. Back at your car by 9:16 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.
Good to know
- Dogs allowed on leash
More from this trailhead
- Boggs Bunion–Adventure Trail, 4 sights 3.9 mi · ▲ 1,149 ft
- Big Slaty–Rocky Head, 8 saddles 14.1 mi · ▲ 3,811 ft
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Hikes near Ridgecrest, North Carolina