Graybeard Trail

Historic retreat center trail with Seven Sisters views

Graybeard Trail (sometimes written as Greybeard Trail) is challenging, but rewards effort with incredible views. Stop by the Montreat Store on your way to the trailhead for a free trail map.

What To Expect

From the parking lot, you’ll cross a wooden bridge over a creek and start your ascent of Graybeard Mountain through a hardwood forest. Views of the surrounding mountains begin at about the 1.5-mile point when you hike a series of switchbacks that last for about 1 mile. There’s also a short spur trail here to Graybeard Falls, a relatively small waterfall. After this point, the trail becomes quite steep. From here you’ll come to the Walker Knob Shelter (a large group camping shelter). Take the .2-mile spur trail here to Walker Knob: it’s worth it for the incredible view. You should reach this point at about 2.5 hours.

After about 1.25 miles of another steep climb, you’ll reach the intersection of three trails (the West Ridge Trail, the Graybeard Summit spur and the trail to the Asheville reservoir). The spur trail is about .03 miles, relatively flat until a final scramble. From here, you get an amazing view of Mount Mitchell and several other 6,000-foot-plus peaks.

On the way back, you can choose to come back the way you came or make a loop by taking the long, very steep West Ridge Trail to the Big Piney Trail, which will take you back to Graybeard Road about ¼ mile from the trailhead (going back the way you came is easier).

Graybeard is popular in the fall for its views of the fall color (starting around mid-to-late October). On a sunny fall day, the views are stunning and the temperature is just right. But because this trail is long and strenuous in places, be prepared with adequate food and water and plan carefully to give yourself enough time to get out and back before it starts to get dark.

Directions

From downtown Asheville, take I-240 east to I-40 east (in the direction of Statesville). Take exit 64 Black Mountain (Route 9). Turn left off the ramp and enter the town of Black Mountain. Stay on Route 9 all the way into Montreat (entered by a stone gate). Continue on this road (now called Assembly Drive), passing Lake Susan. Stay to the left on Graybeard Trail. Follow the Graybeard Trail roadway until the pavement ends, and you’ll see a gravel parking lot for the trailhead.

GPS Coordinates

N35.65940, W82.29608

Photos by Jason Tarr/ExploreAsheville.com