2.2 miles
Distance
68 ft
Climb
-1,603 ft
Descent
00:29:45
Avg time
Supporters, Builders, Maintainers & Land Managers of Pilot Rock Trail

  • USFS
    Land Manager

Pilot Rock Details

  • Activities
    • Mountain Bike
    • Hike
    • Trail Running
  • Riding Area
    Pisgah Ranger District
    Brevard, North Carolina
  • Difficulty Rating
    Black Diamond rate
  • Voted Difficulty
    Black Diamond (1 vote)
  • Trail Type
    Singletrack
  • Bike Type
    DH, AM, XC
  • Direction
    Downhill Primary
    Popular direction shown
  • Climb Difficulty
    Double Black Diamond
  • Physical Rating
    Extreme
  • Season
    Year Round
  • Dogs Allowed
    Yes
  • eBike Allowed
    No
  • TTFs on Trail
    Rock Face, Rock Garden
  • Ride in Rain
    Yes
  • Global Ranking
    #4233 in Mountain Biking [+]
    • #33229 in Trail Running
    • #20624 in Hiking
  • Local Popularity
    75 in Mountain Biking [+]
    • 5 in Trail Running
    • 70 in Hiking
  • Land Owner
    USFS

Descends from the peak via rough technical singletrack before coming to a nice overlook of the surrounding areas. From there the dirt disappears into a descent over a massive technical rock garden following tight switchbacks down the rock face before returning to faster rough singletrack towards the bottom.

Primarily downhill, it's difficulty rating is well earned and not for the timid. A very fun route and well worth the time.

Local Trail Association
Traditionally Indigenous Territory
More Stats for Pilot Rock multi-use trail trail
  • Altitude change
    -1,535 ft
  • Altitude min
    3,318 ft
  • Altitude max
    4,853 ft
  • Altitude start
    4,853 ft
  • Altitude end
    3,318 ft
  • Grade
    -13.109%
  • Grade max
    -42.97%
  • Grade min
    26.689%
  • Distance climb
    860 ft
  • Distance down
    2 miles
  • Distance flat
    333 ft
  • Avg time
    00:29:45
  • Avg reverse time
    01:19:46
  • view trail stats
Status:
on Aug 11, 2023
Ideal
Avg: 4.55 (19 votes)
Your vote: 0

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3D
Trail Conditions
  • Unknown
  • Snow Groomed
  • Snow Packed
  • Snow Covered
  • Snow Cover Inadequate
  • Freeze/thaw Cycle
  • Icy
  • Prevalent Mud
  • Wet
  • Variable
  • Ideal
  • Dry
  • Very Dry
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  • Downhill Only
  • Downhill Primary
  • Both Directions
  • Uphill Primary
  • Uphill Only
  • One Direction
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  • Description & Photos
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  • mountain biking (>6 month)
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      Directions to pilot-rock trailhead (35.402820, -82.736830)
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      Pilot Rock Trail Reports

      statusdatedescription
      Aug 11, 2023 @ 2:42am
      Aug 11, 2023
      		 Despite the recent rain, the trail is running great. Good grip all the way down. What a ripper!
      May 23, 2023 @ 6:28am
      May 23, 2023
      Apr 28, 2023 @ 9:20pm
      Apr 28, 2023
      Apr 22, 2022 @ 9:10am
      Apr 22, 2022
      		 Rough and loose
      Mar 20, 2022 @ 8:04am
      Mar 20, 2022
      view all reports »

      Recent Ridelog Activity on Trail

      Past Week
      • 3 rides
      • 17 miles avg distance
      6 Months
      • 209 rides
      • 23 miles avg distance
      All
      • 1,612 rides
      • Last: Jul 29, 2023

      Photos

      more »
      30 |
      Oct 28, 2022 @ 10:28am
      Oct 28, 2022
      28 |
      Oct 28, 2022 @ 10:28am
      Oct 28, 2022
      25 |
      Oct 28, 2022 @ 10:27am
      Oct 28, 2022
      153 |
      Mar 2, 2022 @ 8:05am
      Mar 2, 2022

      Trail Lists

      Routes with this trail

      more »
      titledistance
      Laurel/Pilot16 miles
      Pisgah Full Send42 miles
      Laurel-Pilot loop21 miles
      Laurel Mountain to Black Mountain20 miles

      6 Reviews & Comments


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      Videos

      more »
      youtuber Is that sleet!? | Hanging on and hoping for...
      11:11 | 677 | Mar 28, 2019 , Brevard
      youtuber A rainy, foggy, eerie descent of Pilot Rock in...
      11:06 | 950 | Mar 1, 2018 , Brevard
      Pilot Rock Shredding - Pisgah National Forest...
      20:56 | 26 | Jul 29, 2023 , Brevard
      Chunky Pilot Rock, Pisgah
      8:53 | 647 | Dec 6, 2021 , Brevard

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