Deep Gap Trail | A Strenuous Black Mountains Ridge Hike from Mount Mitchell

Our Favorite Western NC Mountain Hikes | Asheville Elevated Living

Deep Gap starts high and keeps making you work. The ridge north of Mount Mitchell has spruce-fir forest, rocky scrambles and openings near Mount Craig and Big Tom where the Black Mountains spread out around you.

Deep Gap Trail main trail photo — Photos via AllTrails and its hiking community.

Hike at a glance

Mount Mitchell State Park and the Black Mountains ridge
7.5 miles | 2,490 feet of gain | Strenuous out-and-back

What the hike is like

Start at the Mount Mitchell summit parking area and follow the signed ridge trail north. The saved route continues past the early viewpoints toward Deep Gap. There are repeated climbs and descents, including steep, rocky sections where AllTrails describes fixed ropes. Save enough energy for the climb back up on the return.

North Carolina State Parks describes the Deep Gap Trail in one-way mileage. The 7.5 miles here is the saved AllTrails out-and-back. Mount Craig is an earlier turnaround if your group wants a shorter hike, though that section still has uneven footing.

Before you go

Give the full route most of a day. Bring warm layers, extra water, an offline map and a headlamp. Check the park alerts and Parkway access before driving up. Turn back if fog, ice or storms make the ridge unsafe.