Pisgah Point Lookout Trail
Trail: Pisgah Point Lookout Trail
Length: 7.2 miles out and back
Difficulty: Easy
Distance from Charlotte NC: about 2 hours
Features: a railroad tunnel and views of the mountains
Trail Tip: if you look this up on AllTrails, it will guide you to parking at the top of the trail (Pisgah Point Lookout Ridgecrest Trailhead), where you hike downhill at a steady decline and then back up. We found out that there is parking at the bottom of the trail (Pisgah Point Lookout Old Fort Trailhead). I would suggest parking at the bottom of the trail so you begin hiking uphill and end hiking downhill.
We knew we wanted to take a hike last weekend, but Rikki injured his back lifting at the gym, so we searched for something that would be easy and low impact. We found Pisgah Point Lookout Trail which is located near Black Mountain, NC. The trail is completely paved and you only gain 885 feet of elevation over 7 miles.
We woke up at 4 am and arrived at the trailhead at 7 am. We caught the last few moments of the sun rising over the mountains and it was absolutely gorgeous. We were also lucky enough to catch the flowers in full bloom. It looked like a scene out of a fairytale.
The trail reminds me of a greenway. You are surrounded by trees the entire time so the path is nice and shady. There is not a view at the end, you just walk until the trail ends and then turn around and head back to your parking area. There are mountain views at different points along the trail and there is also a neat railroad tunnel!
This is a great trail for all skill levels, including children. We saw a handful of bikers and families while we were walking. This would also be a great choice if it has rained recently and you don’t want to deal with hiking in the mud.
After our walk we headed into Black Mountain for some brunch. We had a great meal at Louise’s Kitchen and spent the afternoon exploring the town. There are some great shops, and a wonderful coffeehouse called The Dripolater. We hope to do more hikes near Black Mountain so we can try more restaurants in the area!
All in all this is one of my favorite day trips we have taken this year. While the hike wasn’t “epic” it was beautiful, enjoyable, and in a great location. If you have ever been to Black Mountain, I would love to hear about your experience! As always, keep exploring friends!
