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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

    Mountain streams and old-growth forest

    WaterLandscapes
    Sources

  3. Waterrock Knob / Blue Ridge Parkway

    ≈ MI 37.4

    ≈ 6,290 FT · 35.46415, -83.13766

    High Parkway viewpoint

    Peaks & viewsLandscapes
    Sources

Section 2

The Balsams

  1. Balsam Mountains

    ≈ MI 65.9

    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

    ≈ 6,667 FT · 35.76477, -82.26487

    Highest point east of the Mississippi

    Peaks & views
    Sources

  2. Craggy Gardens

    ≈ MI 146.2

    ≈ 5,688 FT · 35.69694, -82.38137

    Rhododendron gardens and high views

    Peaks & views
    Sources

  3. Asheville

    ≈ MI 167.6

    ≈ 2,184 FT · 35.59734, -82.49791

    Major cultural and service hub

    Towns & resupply
    Sources

Section 4

Gorges, Peaks & Waterfalls

  1. Linville Gorge

    ≈ MI 198.8

    ≈ 1,261 FT · 35.81094, -81.90561

    Deep rugged gorge

    Landscapes
    Sources

  2. Linville Falls

    ≈ MI 218.7

    35.95930, -81.94289

    Major Blue Ridge waterfall

    Water
    Sources

  3. Grandfather Mountain views

    ≈ MI 238.7

    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

    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

    ≈ 896 FT · 36.24431, -80.84841

    Foothill town and common stop

    WaterTowns & resupply
    Sources

Section 7

The Sauratown Mountains

  1. Pilot Mountain

    ≈ MI 422.3

    36.38653, -80.46950

    Distinctive quartzite knob

    Peaks & views
    Sources

  2. Hanging Rock State Park

    ≈ MI 438

    Rock outcrops and waterfalls

    Peaks & viewsWater
    Sources

Section 8

Rivers, Railroads & Lakes

  1. Dan River

    ≈ MI 469.6

    36.46459, -79.76254

    Major Piedmont river

    WaterJunctions & access
    Sources

  2. Falls Lake

    ≈ MI 492

    ≈ 251 FT · 35.97121, -78.64545

    Long lake-side section

    Water
    Sources

Section 9

Revolution & Textiles

  1. Haw River

    ≈ MI 528.4

    ≈ 568 FT · 36.09153, -79.36419

    River corridor and textile history

    WaterHistory & culture
    Sources

  2. Greensboro-area historic corridor

    ≈ MI 551.5

    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

    Transition toward Neuse basin

    Water
    Sources

Section 11

Neuse River Greenways & the Let’Lones

  1. Raleigh greenway

    ≈ MI 670.7

    Major capital-city greenway corridor

    Towns & resupply
    Sources

  2. Neuse River

    ≈ MI 699.1

    ≈ 106 FT · 35.51241, -78.35009

    Long eastward river corridor

    Water
    Sources

Section 12

Agricultural Heartland

  1. Johnston County farm country

    ≈ MI 751.2

    Classic coastal-plain agriculture

    History & cultureLandscapes
    Sources

Section 13

Carolina Bay Country

  1. Carolina bays

    ≈ MI 803.9

    Elliptical wetland landforms unique to Coastal Plain

    Water
    Sources

Section 14

Land of History

  1. Bentonville Battlefield area

    ≈ MI 849.9

    Major Civil War battlefield landscape

    History & culture
    Sources

Section 15

The Onslow Bight & Jacksonville

  1. Hofmann Forest / Onslow Bight

    ≈ MI 930.2

    Large wetland-forest mosaic

    Landscapes
    Sources

Section 16

The Croatan & Neusiok Trail

  1. Croatan National Forest

    ≈ MI 1003.6

    Pocosins, pine forest and marsh

    WaterLandscapes
    Sources

  2. Neusiok Trail / Oyster Point

    ≈ MI 1030.6

    Signature coastal forest-and-estuary hiking

    Water
    Sources

Section 17

Down East North Carolina

  1. Cedar Island / Down East communities

    ≈ MI 1064.2

    ≈ 3 FT · 35.00823, -76.31603

    Working-waterfront landscape

    Water
    Sources

  2. Pamlico/Core Sound views

    ≈ MI 1081.9

    Broad coastal sound scenery

    Water
    Sources

Section 18

The Outer Banks

  1. Cape Hatteras National Seashore

    ≈ MI 1111.8

    Long Atlantic beach and dune landscape

    Landscapes
    Sources

  2. Cape Hatteras Lighthouse

    ≈ MI 1134.8

    Iconic black-and-white lighthouse

    History & culture
    Sources

  3. Bodie Island / Oregon Inlet area

    ≈ MI 1156.2

    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