Hike to Beauty Spot Gap

Green Mountain, North Carolina

5.0/5

based on 2 reviews

Save

View all 12 photos

All 12 photos

Save Review Directions Add Photo

Details

Distance

2.13 miles

Elevation Gain

1277 ft

Route Type

Out-and-Back

Description

Added by Merritt McKinney

Beauty Spot Gap sits atop Cherokee National Forest and offers stunning panoramic landscapes of the surrounding North Carolina and Tennessee mountains. The view from here simply speaks for itself.

Beauty Spot Gap is located on the Appalachian Trail on the border of North Carolina and Tennessee. The bald offers a panoramic view of Cherokee National Forest and the city of Erwin. This is a popular destination for hikers of the AT to set up camp and watch the sunset.

From the Tennessee side, take Rock Creek Road until you meet the border of North Carolina and Tennessee. There will be a pull-off for parking and the trail head will be clearly visible. During the summer months, the gate will be unlocked and, with four-wheel drive, it is possible to drive to Beauty Spot Gap. Continue up the gravel road on the same side as the trailhead for 2 miles and bear right at the fork. There will be a parking circle where you can then walk directly to the bald.

Download the Outbound mobile app

Find adventures and camping on the go, share photos, use GPX tracks, and download maps for offline use.

Get the app

Features

Chillin

Camping

Photography

Backpacking

Hiking

Dog Friendly

Easy Parking

Forest

Romantic

Scenic

Wildflowers

Wildlife

Reviews

Samm Keys

Hike to Beauty Spot Gap

04/06/18

This is the perfect time of year for the Beauty Spot!

5.0

Gretchen Tongco

Hike to Beauty Spot Gap

10/22/17

Hiked from Beauty Spot to the top of Unaka Mountain yesterday. The hike to top was challenging but the nice Christmas tree at the top was a nice addition. Bring your favorite ornament to add!

5.0

Leave No Trace

Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures and follow local regulations. Please explore responsibly!

Nearby

Camp at Unaka Mountain Overlook

Unaka Mountain Overlook is one of the highest locations in the Cherokee National Forest. Easily accessibly by vehicle, the overlook towers over the surrounding mountains, including Beauty Spot Gap, and is an ideal spot to camp overnight. Take Rock Creek Road until you meet the border of North Carolina and Tennessee (depending on which direction you are coming from). Take the gravel road on the ...

Mountain Bike up Pinnacle Mountain

Pinnacle Mountain is a long, grinding climb to the top. The singletrack winds up 1,500 feet of elevation for nearly 5 miles with few downhill sections. Once at the top, take a rest and climb the fire tower that overlooks the Downtown Johnson City area, Elizabethton, Erwin, and the rest of the Buffalo Mountain Range. The fun, flowy ride down makes the tough grind up the mountain completely worth...

Hike to Pinnacle Mountain Fire Tower

Pinnacle Mountain hosts one of the nicest fire towers on the East Coast of the United States. The fire tower is relatively new, sturdy, and has a large 360 degree viewing area at the top. The tower overlooks the Downtown Johnson City area, Elizabethton, Erwin, and the rest of the Buffalo Mountain Range. Four-wheel drive is required in order to access the tower from this direction, although it i...

Hike to Tip Top on Buffalo Mountain

Tip Top rests on one of the highest points of Buffalo Mountain. The overlook features tree coverage perfect for hammocking and benches while providing views of Downtown Johnson City as well as the other side of the mountain range. The hike from the trailhead to Tip Top is moderately steep. The trail switchbacks 2.7 miles up, is well maintained, and is mostly protected by shade from the thick fo...

Hike to White Rock

The White Rock trailhead is less than a 10 minute drive from downtown Johnson City. When pulling up Highbridge Road, take a left at the fork. You will shortly encounter a vehicle gate where you will park to the side of the road (do not block the yellow vehicle gate). You have the option to walk up the gravel utility road behind the vehicle gate or up the dirt path. Both ways will lead you to th...

Hiking from Carver's Gap to Hwy. 19 on the AT

The AT from Carver's Gap to HWY 19 is about 14.5 miles, but with side adventures, it could be roughly 20 miles. The trail crosses the road and continues up about a 400 ft. elevation gain to the first of the balds. This section of the AT is beautiful at near 6000 ft. above sea level and you will get a great view of Roan Mountain. You can take some pictures at Round Bald and up to Jane Bald, givi...

Hike to Beauty Spot Gap

Details

Description

Download the Outbound mobile app

Features

Reviews

Leave No Trace

Nearby

Camp at Unaka Mountain Overlook

Mountain Bike up Pinnacle Mountain

Hike to Pinnacle Mountain Fire Tower

Hike to Tip Top on Buffalo Mountain

Hike to White Rock

Hiking from Carver's Gap to Hwy. 19 on the AT

Discover

Community

Company

Follow Us

Mobile Apps