MST
North Carolina
1175Miles
60–100 daysTypical thru-hike
Seasoned hikerExperience
Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, OctBest Season
LightCrowds
The Mountains-to-Sea Trail runs from Clingmans Dome in the Great Smokies to Jockey’s Ridge on the Outer Banks. About 720 miles are off-road trail as of 2026, with the remainder following roads. The trail spans the full width of North Carolina through incredible landscape diversity.
Trail Characteristics
- Distance: 1175 miles
- Route type: Linear
- Terrain: Forest, Coastal
- Navigation: Standard trail
- Resupply: Moderate
Resources
- View route on CalTopo (download GPX)
- Friends of the Mountains-to-Sea Trail (official trail organization)
- Wikipedia: Mountains-to-Sea Trail
Planning a long-distance hike? Use the Trail Finder to match trails to your experience level, available time, and preferred season.