North Carolina Hikes: Craggy Pinnacle Trail
Picture-perfect views and a short hike make the Craggy Pinnacle Trail a go-to option for hiking near Asheville, North Carolina. Get 360-degree views on this hike located on the Blue Ridge Parkway.
About Craggy Gardens
Craggy Gardens was named for its jagged and rocky “crags”, or rugged cliffs. But the area is most popular for its floral display of pink and purple rhododendrons that blanket the mountain in June and the 360-degree views at the Craggy Pinnacle overlook.
This summit reaches 5,892 feet, providing a wonderful vantage point at which to admire the surrounding Blue Ridge Mountains.
The mountain is made up of a fragile ecosystem or unique and delicate plants. Stay on the marked trails so that you don’t damage the rhododendron, gnarled sweet birch trees, blueberries, and wildflowers.
Craggy Pinnacle Trail
The Craggy Pinnacle Trail departs from the parking lot of the Craggy Dome Overlook. This is located just north of the tunnel by the Craggy Gardens Visitor Center. Just a 30 minute drive from Asheville, it is one of the closest hikes to the city that offers fantastic views.
The 0.6 mile trail takes you through a tunnel of rhododendron. The trail can be steep at points, climbing over rocks and tree roots. Make sure to stop and admire the twisted birch tree not far into the trail.
Near the top, you’ll come to a clearing. A spur trail to the right will take you to a lower observation point while the trail to the left will take you up to the summit; you can see the summit’s rock wall observation deck from the clearing.
At the top of Craggy Pinnacle, you’ll enjoy the 360-degree views that make this a go-to trail for a sunset or sunrise hike. The summit overlook has three sections where you can sit and admire the view. Again, be sure to stay on this side of the rock wall so that you don’t damage the fragile and endangered plant life that grows on the mountain.
On a clear day, you’ll be able to see Mount Mitchell to the north, Tennessee to the west, the Blue Ridge Parkway as it continues to the south, and Asheville’s North Fork water reservoir to the east.
Because of the summit’s high altitude, the climate of Craggy Gardens can be about 15 to 20 degrees colder than that of Asheville. You can expect the mountain top to be chilly even during the summer and to be quite windy. Be sure to come prepared with layered clothing.
Retrace your steps back down from the summit to complete your hike at about 1.2 miles.
Hiking Essentials
Come prepared for your hike by making sure you pack the essentials. Check out this must-have hiking gear before you set off on the trails:
Where to Stay in Asheville
Find the perfect place to rest your head on your visit to Asheville, from the top rated accommodations to unique stays you can’t get anywhere else.
- Where We Stayed: Holiday Inn Express & Suites Asheville Downtown
- Top Hotel: Princess Anne Hotel
- Great Value: Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, Asheville Downtown Tunnel Road
- Unique Stay: The Inn on Biltmore Estate
More Things to Do in Asheville
- 4 Days in Asheville Itinerary: Asheville, North Carolina Guide
- North Carolina Hikes: Mount Mitchell Summit Trail
- 4 Scenic Drive Photo Ops Along the Blue Ridge Parkway
- One Day at the Biltmore Estate in Asheville, North Carolina
Ready to visit Asheville, North Carolina? Plan your trip with these tips.
- Book Your Flight: Find the cheapest flights using Skyscanner, my favorite flight search engine.
- Find Accommodation: You can find top hotels in Asheville using Booking.com.
- Start Packing: Make sure you’ve packed everything you need with my packing list resources.
Cheers!
Paige
Have you hiked the Craggy Pinnacle Trail at Craggy Gardens? Let me know in the comments below!
