2 miles
Distance
68 ft
Climb
-1,603 ft
Descent
00:32:13
Avg time
Trail Supporters, Builders & Maintainers of Pilot Rock Trail
USFSLand Manager
Pilot Rock Details
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Activities
- Mountain Bike
- Hike
- Trail Running
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Riding AreaPisgah Ranger District
Brevard, North Carolina -
Difficulty Rating
-
Trail TypeSingletrack
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Bike TypeDH, AM, XC
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Trail UsageBiking Primary
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DirectionDownhill PrimaryPopular direction shown
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Climb DifficultyDouble Black Diamond
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Physical RatingExtreme
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SeasonYear Round
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Dogs AllowedYes
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eBike Allowed
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TTFs on TrailRock Face, Rock Garden
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Ride in RainYes
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Global Ranking#2128 in Mountain Biking
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Local Popularity75 in Mountain Biking [+]
- 65 in Trail Running
- 60 in Hiking
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Land ManagerUSFS
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
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Please consider joining or donating to the local trail association to supportdonate to earn trail karma!
trail development & maintenance.
More Stats for Pilot Rock bike trail trail
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Altitude change-1,535 ft
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Altitude min3,318 ft
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Altitude max4,853 ft
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Altitude start4,853 ft
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Altitude end3,318 ft
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Grade-13.109%
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Grade max-42.97%
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Grade min26.689%
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Distance climb860 ft
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Distance down2 miles
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Distance flat333 ft
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Avg time00:32:13
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Avg reverse time01:26:51
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Trail Conditions
- Unknown
- Snow Groomed
- Snow Packed
- Snow Covered
- Freeze/thaw Cycle
- Icy
- Prevalent Mud
- Wet
- Variable
- Ideal
- Dry
- Very Dry
Trail Ridden Direction
Trailforks scans users ridelogs to determine the most popular direction each trail is ridden. A good flowing trail network will have most trails flowing in a single direction according to their intension.
The colour categories are based on what percentage of riders are riding a trail in its intended direction.
The colour categories are based on what percentage of riders are riding a trail in its intended direction.
- > 96%
- > 90%
- > 80%
- > 70%
- > 50%
- < 50%
Trail Last Ridden
Trailforks scans ridelogs to determine the last time a trail was ridden.
- < 2 days
- < 1 week
- < 2 weeks
- < 1 month
- < 6 months
- > 6 months
Trail Ridden Direction
The intended direction a trail should be ridden.
- Downhill Only
- Downhill Primary
- Both Directions
- Uphill Primary
- Uphill Only
- One Direction
ContributeDetails
Colors indicate trail is missing specified detail.
- Description
- Photos
- Description & Photos
- Videos
Trail Popularity ?
Trailforks scans ridelogs to determine which trails are ridden the most in the last 9 months.
Trails are compared with nearby trails in the same city region with a possible 25 colour shades.
Think of this as a heatmap, more rides = more kinetic energy = warmer colors.
- most popular
- popular
- less popular
- not popular
ATV/ORV/OHV Filter
Max Vehicle Width
inches
Radar Time
LEGEND
Trail Difficulties
Trail Report Status
- Access Road/Trail
- White
- Green
- Blue
- Black
- Double Black Diamond
Trail Report Status
- Clear / Green
- Minor Issue / Yellow
- Significant Issue / Amber
- Closed
- Land Owner Overlay
- Wilderness (typically no bikes in USA)
- BLM (public)
- USFS (Wildlife sanctuaries darker than usfs)
- State land
- Indigenous
- Military
Trail Conditions
- Unknown
- Snow Groomed
- Snow Packed
- Snow Covered
- Freeze/thaw Cycle
- Icy
- Prevalent Mud
- Wet
- Variable
- Ideal
- Dry
- Very Dry
- Map Markers
Trail Head
Photo
Directory Listing
Riding Area
TTF
Parking
Viewpoint
Information
Warning
Directions
Sight
Restrooms
eBike Charging Point
Water Fountain/Source
Gate
Trail Sign
Table or Bench
Ladder
Stairs
Bridge
Boardwalk
Camping
Cabin
Lodge
Bear Cache
Dock
Ranger Station
Summit
Other
Directions to pilot-rock trailhead
(35.402820, -82.736830)
update trails status or condition
Pilot Rock Trail Reports
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Recent Ridelog Activity on Trail
Past Week
- 2 rides
- 18 miles avg distance
6 Months
- 145 rides
- 17 miles avg distance
All
- 742 rides
Photos
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Trail Lists
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NC trail checkoff list147 trails
Routes with this trail
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+ 1
LegitBiker9000
(May 10, 2019 at 8:30)
This is another great classic Pisgah, i would argue more difficult than what riders experience on the lower sections, however, just like every other pisgah trail, you get soaking wet. Also there are a few hike-a-bike sections, but overall amazing trail!
[Reply]
BradyEssary
(Oct 14, 2019 at 10:04)
This past weekend was my first time riding Pilot Rock. While the rocks and descent weren't a surprise, the amount and difficulty of the switchbacks did surprise me, as did how tight the trail was from the brush. The last hike-a-bike section towards the top of Laurel Mtn was no joke either.
[Reply]
wetzejt
(Jul 28, 2020 at 19:26)
Did this trail today. Seriously the hardest I’ve ever done to date. A truly black diamond.
[Reply]
Videos
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Nearby Trails
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Pisgah Ranger District
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