Cold Mountain

Trailhead & finish: Art Loeb Parking Area at Camp Daniel Boone

Blaze Color: None

Hiking Distance: 10.4 miles

Difficulty: Difficult

Time Allowance: 6 hours 45 minutes

Elevation Change: 2850 ft.

USGS Map: Cruso and Waynesville

Trail Description:

The Cold Mountain Trail is a strenuous 10.6 mile roundtrip in the beautiful Shining Rock Wilderness Area of the Pisgah National Forest. The best months to hike are May through October. Snow covers the top of the peak for much of the other months. Take plenty of water. Experienced hikers will enjoy the challenging climb. The trail is not marked, but it is well-worn and easy to follow. The trailhead for the hiking trail (Art Loeb Trail) is located at the Daniel Boone Scout Camp.

Drive through Camp Daniel Boone to a small parking area on the right.

The Art Loeb Trail starts next to a large information board on the left side of the road.

After 3.8 miles of steady climbing is Deep Gap, turn left & continue climbing! Follow the well-defined Cold Mountain Trail, up the mountain. At the ridge of the mountain there is a small campsite, turn right. Follow this on up to the top.  Return back the same way you came up.