Length: 269.35 mi
Est. time: 117h 54m
Gain: 56,304 ft
Loss: 55,867 ft
Max elev: 6,636 ft
Elevation profile
+56,304 ft gain · −55,867 ft loss — an estimate from a DEM.
Trailhead parking (Place)
Sunburst (Campground)
Mountains-to-Sea Trail + Waterrock Knob Trail
269.9 mi · +56,764 ft · ~118.3 hr (est.)
Mountains-to-Sea Trail + Rattlesnake Lodge Trail
270.4 mi · +57,513 ft · ~118.9 hr (est.)
Buck Spring Trail + Mountains-to-Sea Trail
270.6 mi · +56,482 ft · ~118.4 hr (est.)
Mountains-to-Sea Trail + Visitor Center Trail
270.8 mi · +56,584 ft · ~118.6 hr (est.)
Connects to:
Rattlesnake Lodge TrailMountains-to-Sea Trail ConnectorWaterrock Knob TrailBuck Spring TrailVisitor Center TrailOld John's River RoadBluff Mountain TrailGlassmine Falls TrailCraggy Gardens Picnic Area Trail ConnectorBuck Spring Lodge TrailBeacon Heights TrailJumpinoff Rocks TrailTomkins Knob TrailCascades TrailCraggy Gardens TrailRich Mountain Carriage TrailBoone Fork TrailBuncombe Horse Range TrailPlan smart, verify on site
Length, elevation, and difficulty are estimates derived from open data (NPS Public Trails GIS, medium confidence) — not a safety guarantee. Conditions change; check current closures, weather, and water, and carry the essentials. Always defer to NPS.gov and park rangers.