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On-trail landmarks

Mountains-to-Sea Trail landmarks and waypoints

37 named places in 18 trail sections, ordered by approximate route mile. Use the category filters on the permit map to see these same points in Map, 3D and Explore in 3D.

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Section 1

Peak to Peak

  1. Kuwohi / Clingmans Dome

    ≈ MI 4.7

    ≈ 6,643 FT · 35.56280, -83.49850

    Western terminus at the Smokies high point

    Peaks & viewsJunctions & access
    Sources

  2. Deep Creek / Smokies high country

    ≈ MI 21.1

    ≈ 6,466 FT · 35.53660, -83.35674

    Mountain streams and old-growth forest

    WaterLandscapes
    Sources

  3. Waterrock Knob / Blue Ridge Parkway

    ≈ MI 37.4

    ≈ 6,330 FT · 35.51635, -83.24724

    High Parkway viewpoint

    Peaks & viewsLandscapes
    Sources

Section 2

The Balsams

  1. Balsam Mountains

    ≈ MI 65.9

    ≈ 6,091 FT · 35.48096, -83.05576

    High spruce-fir and hardwood ridges

    Peaks & views
    Sources

  2. Mount Pisgah views

    ≈ MI 91.3

    ≈ 5,719 FT · 35.42570, -82.75680

    Classic southern Blue Ridge skyline

    Peaks & views
    Sources

Section 3

The High Peaks & Asheville

  1. Mount Mitchell

    ≈ MI 124.7

    ≈ 5,055 FT · 35.46414, -82.66968

    Highest point east of the Mississippi

    Peaks & views
    Sources

  2. Craggy Gardens

    ≈ MI 146.2

    ≈ 4,057 FT · 35.52193, -82.53870

    Rhododendron gardens and high views

    Peaks & views
    Sources

  3. Asheville

    ≈ MI 167.6

    ≈ 3,063 FT · 35.57946, -82.40832

    Major cultural and service hub

    Towns & resupply
    Sources

Section 4

Gorges, Peaks & Waterfalls

  1. Linville Gorge

    ≈ MI 198.8

    ≈ 2,833 FT · 35.72025, -82.21270

    Deep rugged gorge

    Landscapes
    Sources

  2. Linville Falls

    ≈ MI 218.7

    ≈ 3,345 FT · 35.84076, -82.08495

    Major Blue Ridge waterfall

    Water
    Sources

  3. Grandfather Mountain views

    ≈ MI 238.7

    ≈ 3,859 FT · 35.96188, -81.95655

    High escarpment and dramatic rock terrain

    Peaks & views
    Sources

Section 5

The High Country

  1. Beacon Heights

    ≈ MI 277.3

    ≈ 4,370 FT · 36.08240, -81.82880

    Broad Blue Ridge views

    Peaks & viewsLandscapes
    Sources

  2. Blowing Rock / Boone area

    ≈ MI 299.4

    ≈ 3,452 FT · 36.22031, -81.48087

    Major mountain-town services

    Towns & resupply
    Sources

  3. Stone Mountain State Park

    ≈ MI 321.4

    ≈ 2,297 FT · 36.39370, -81.04340

    Large exposed granite dome

    Landscapes
    Sources

Section 6

The Elkin Valley

  1. Elkin

    ≈ MI 378.6

    ≈ 2,036 FT · 36.35563, -80.75929

    Foothill town and common stop

    WaterTowns & resupply
    Sources

Section 7

The Sauratown Mountains

  1. Pilot Mountain

    ≈ MI 422.3

    ≈ 1,627 FT · 36.29601, -80.31429

    Distinctive quartzite knob

    Peaks & views
    Sources

  2. Hanging Rock State Park

    ≈ MI 438

    ≈ 1,480 FT · 36.27459, -80.15442

    Rock outcrops and waterfalls

    Peaks & viewsWater
    Sources

Section 8

Rivers, Railroads & Lakes

  1. Dan River

    ≈ MI 469.6

    ≈ 1,184 FT · 36.23148, -79.83263

    Major Piedmont river

    WaterJunctions & access
    Sources

  2. Falls Lake

    ≈ MI 492

    ≈ 974 FT · 36.20091, -79.60453

    Long lake-side section

    Water
    Sources

Section 9

Revolution & Textiles

  1. Haw River

    ≈ MI 528.4

    ≈ 634 FT · 36.15125, -79.23386

    River corridor and textile history

    WaterHistory & culture
    Sources

  2. Greensboro-area historic corridor

    ≈ MI 551.5

    ≈ 417 FT · 36.11973, -78.99863

    Piedmont history and greenways

    History & cultureLandscapes
    Sources

Section 10

Eno River & Falls Lake

  1. Eno River State Park

    ≈ MI 593.9

    ≈ 247 FT · 36.09490, -78.81330

    Rocky river corridor

    WaterLandscapes
    Sources

  2. Falls Lake dam / Neuse headwaters

    ≈ MI 624.6

    ≈ 218 FT · 35.93921, -78.57566

    Transition toward Neuse basin

    Water
    Sources

Section 11

Neuse River Greenways & the Let’Lones

  1. Raleigh greenway

    ≈ MI 670.7

    ≈ 194 FT · 35.80848, -78.37611

    Major capital-city greenway corridor

    Towns & resupply
    Sources

  2. Neuse River

    ≈ MI 699.1

    ≈ 179 FT · 35.72794, -78.25318

    Long eastward river corridor

    Water
    Sources

Section 12

Agricultural Heartland

  1. Johnston County farm country

    ≈ MI 751.2

    ≈ 152 FT · 35.58019, -78.02766

    Classic coastal-plain agriculture

    History & cultureLandscapes
    Sources

Section 13

Carolina Bay Country

  1. Carolina bays

    ≈ MI 803.9

    ≈ 124 FT · 35.43073, -77.79955

    Elliptical wetland landforms unique to Coastal Plain

    Water
    Sources

Section 14

Land of History

  1. Bentonville Battlefield area

    ≈ MI 849.9

    ≈ 100 FT · 35.30028, -77.60043

    Major Civil War battlefield landscape

    History & culture
    Sources

Section 15

The Onslow Bight & Jacksonville

  1. Hofmann Forest / Onslow Bight

    ≈ MI 930.2

    ≈ 61 FT · 35.18145, -77.07833

    Large wetland-forest mosaic

    Landscapes
    Sources

Section 16

The Croatan & Neusiok Trail

  1. Croatan National Forest

    ≈ MI 1003.6

    ≈ 25 FT · 35.07295, -76.60090

    Pocosins, pine forest and marsh

    WaterLandscapes
    Sources

  2. Neusiok Trail / Oyster Point

    ≈ MI 1030.6

    ≈ 12 FT · 35.03303, -76.42528

    Signature coastal forest-and-estuary hiking

    Water
    Sources

Section 17

Down East North Carolina

  1. Cedar Island / Down East communities

    ≈ MI 1064.2

    ≈ 13 FT · 35.13538, -76.22777

    Working-waterfront landscape

    Water
    Sources

  2. Pamlico/Core Sound views

    ≈ MI 1081.9

    ≈ 23 FT · 35.26938, -76.13482

    Broad coastal sound scenery

    Water
    Sources

Section 18

The Outer Banks

  1. Cape Hatteras National Seashore

    ≈ MI 1111.8

    ≈ 39 FT · 35.49574, -75.97780

    Long Atlantic beach and dune landscape

    Landscapes
    Sources

  2. Cape Hatteras Lighthouse

    ≈ MI 1134.8

    ≈ 51 FT · 35.66987, -75.85701

    Iconic black-and-white lighthouse

    History & culture
    Sources

  3. Bodie Island / Oregon Inlet area

    ≈ MI 1156.2

    ≈ 63 FT · 35.83187, -75.74463

    Barrier-island maritime landmarks

    History & culture
    Sources

  4. Jockey's Ridge

    ≈ MI 1173.5

    ≈ 73 FT · 35.97420, -75.64590

    Tallest active dune system in eastern U.S. and trail terminus

    Junctions & accessLandscapes
    Sources