Breathtaking, incredible, spectacular – All those clichés have been used for the Craggies and they are all true. Asheville, below to the west, could be balmy but at Craggy Gardens or Craggy Pinnacle, the rhododendrons might still be curled up and covered with rime ice.

If you have two cars, do the 6 miles shuttle and then go up Craggy Pinnacle to round out the day.

The Mountains-to-Sea Trail starts at 5,260 feet and stays above 5,000 feet the whole way. If you only have one car, walk from the Graybeard Mountain Overlook MP 363.4 to Glassmine Falls Overlook MP 361.2 and back.
 

Length: 6.0 miles
Altitude gain: 1,430 ft.

Book: Trail Profiles: The Mountains to Sea Trail by the Carolina Mountain Club

Trailhead: Place one car at the end point, Glassmine Falls Overlook on the Blue Ridge Parkway, MP 361.2. Drive back to the Craggy Garden picnic area at MP 367.6. Turn right and take the road to the turn-around point and park. The MST access starts at the far end of the parking area, opposite the restrooms.