Mount Pisgah Trail Hiking Guide
Mount Pisgah is the peak Asheville looks at: the pointed summit with the TV tower on top, visible from much of the city to the southwest. The trail from the Parkway is short but not gentle — about 750 feet of climbing in 1.3 miles of rocky switchbacks and rock steps — and it ends on a viewing platform with the French Broad River valley laid out below.
The Climb
The round trip is about 2.6 miles with 700 to 750 feet of gain. The first stretch is mild, then the trail steepens into switchbacks with log and rock steps for most of the second half. It is short enough for most hikers but fairly strenuous for its length; take breaks rather than rushing it. The trail is foot traffic only.
The Summit
A viewing platform built in 1979 sits beside the television tower at the top. From it you look north over the French Broad valley toward Asheville, and across the Pisgah National Forest ridges in the other direction. Mount Pisgah was once part of George Vanderbilt's Biltmore estate lands, which later became the core of Pisgah National Forest.
Parkway Access
The trailhead is on the Blue Ridge Parkway near the Pisgah Inn, southwest of Asheville. The Parkway section between mileposts 382 and 420 reopened in August 2025 after Hurricane Helene, and the Forest Service lists the trail as open year-round. The Parkway itself closes seasonally at high elevations for ice and snow, which can cut off access in winter; check the NPS road-status page before driving up.
Weather
The summit sits above 5,700 feet, so expect it to be noticeably cooler and windier than Asheville. Fog frequently sits on the peak even when the valley is clear. Summer thunderstorms build in the afternoon, and the summit tower is not a place to be during one. Autumn brings the best visibility and the busiest weekends.
Practicalities
There is no fee on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Leashed dogs are allowed on a leash of six feet or less. The Pisgah Inn nearby typically operates from spring through autumn, and there is a campground close by. Carry water; there is none on the trail.
Hiking tips for Mount Pisgah Trail
- Pace yourself on the second half — the rock steps make this short trail steeper than it looks.
- Check the NPS Parkway road-status page in winter; high sections close for ice.
- Expect fog at the summit even when Asheville is clear, and bring a layer.
- Leave the summit if storms build; the tower and platform are the highest point around.
- Carry water — there is none along the trail.
Nearby trails to explore
- Graveyard Fields Loop
- Black Balsam Knob and Tennent Mountain
- Craggy Pinnacle Trail
Hike this trail with TrailMates
Mount Pisgah is a quick, steep summit that pairs well with a Parkway day. Use TrailMates to find Asheville hikers heading up the Parkway. Download the TrailMates app to connect.