Tanbark Ridge Overlook (MP 376.7) & Craven Gap via Mountains-to-Sea Trail

1.5 mi · ▲ 269 ft · 38 min

Tanbark Ridge Overlook (MP 376.7) & Craven Gap via Mountains-to-Sea Trail is a 1.5-mile out-and-back near Riceville, NC. The route passes Craven Gap before reaching Tanbark Ridge Overlook (MP 376.7) at the turnaround, 0.7 miles in. It climbs 269 ft, with sections as steep as 22% grade. It scores 0/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: paved and peopled.

Elevation

0 mi3,127 – 3,320 ft · steepest grade: 22%1.5 mi

Getting there

Trailhead: Craven Gap Trail 35.64796, -82.49182
Nearest town Riceville, NC

Directions

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Tanbark Ridge Overlook (MP 376.7) & Craven Gap via Mountains-to-Sea Trail

1.5 mi · ▲ 269 ft · 38 min

Elevation 3,128–3,320 ft

Out & Back

Trailhead: Craven Gap Trail · 35.64796, -82.49182

Weather Sep 5: Overcast, high 88°F / low 70° · precip 12% · wind 3 mph · sunrise 7:05 AM · sunset 7:55 PM

Dogs allowed on leash · Parking lot at the trailhead

  1. Start on Mountains to Sea Connector Trail, heading NE.
  2. 50 ftPass Craven Gap.
  3. 300 ftTurn right onto Mountains-to-Sea Trail, heading E.
  4. 0.6 miSharp right onto Mountains to Sea Connector Trail, heading SE.
  5. 500 ftReach Tanbark Ridge Overlook (MP 376.7), then turn around and head back the way you came.
  6. 450 ftSharp left onto Mountains-to-Sea Trail, heading S.
  7. 0.6 miTurn left onto Mountains to Sea Connector Trail, heading SW.
  8. 300 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

12% dirt88% unspecified

Weather

OvercastTemperature 88°F70°
Precip12%Wind3 mphUV7Humidity69%
Hourly temperature
90°70°
Sunrise 7:05 AM12 AM3 AM9 AM12 PM3 PM6 PMSunset 7:55 PM
Sun 82°64° 58%
Mon 75°60° 33%
Tue 79°56°
Wed 83°57°
Thu 84°61° 15%
Fri 80°61° 38%

Sunset

The best sunset spot on this hike is right at the trailhead, so there is no walk out. Be there by 7:35 PM to have the sun's last 20 minutes of sky before it sets at 7:55 PM. Your car is right there — dark at 8:21 PM.

More sunset hikes nearby

Good to know

  • Dogs allowed on leash
  • Parking lot at the trailhead

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