Noteworthy Backpacking Routes
near Banner Elk, North Carolina
Banner Elk, North Carolina
Recommended Routes, Photos, & More
![Tablerock Mountain (to the right) from Shortoff Mountain.](https://hikingproject.com/assets/photos/hike/7008824_smallMed_1554395234.jpg?cache=1735970804)
Linville Gorge Wilderness Loop
21.9 mi 35.2 km • 4,723' Up 1439.6 m Up • 4,722' Down 1439.31 m Down
![Ponies! This playful youngster, a wild pony, is one of the many treasures of the Mt. Rogers countryside.](https://hikingproject.com/assets/photos/hike/7033167_smallMed_1554997394.jpg?cache=1736576183)
Massie Gap to Mt Rogers Summit Out and Back
8.6 mi 13.8 km • 1,351' Up 411.86 m Up • 1,351' Down 411.66 m Down
![Pilot Mountain on the Art Loeb Trail](https://hikingproject.com/assets/photos/hike/7034148_smallMed_1554999488.jpg?cache=1736576212)
Art Loeb Trail
31.1 mi 50.1 km • 7,578' Up 2309.92 m Up • 6,409' Down 1953.61 m Down
![View from the Mt. Mitchell summit.](https://hikingproject.com/assets/photos/hike/7013419_smallMed_1554822587.jpg?cache=1736575709)
Mount Mitchell
11.7 mi 18.8 km • 3,651' Up 1112.72 m Up • 3,650' Down 1112.62 m Down
![The view from the summit.](https://hikingproject.com/assets/photos/hike/7007556_smallMed_1554323118.jpg?cache=1736575563)
Grayson Highlands: A.T. – Pine Mtn Loop
12.3 mi 19.8 km • 1,872' Up 570.52 m Up • 1,872' Down 570.63 m Down
![Looking out near McRae Peak.](https://hikingproject.com/assets/photos/hike/7034540_smallMed_1555000485.jpg?cache=1735971442)
Peaks of Grandfather Mountain
9.1 mi 14.6 km • 2,827' Up 861.65 m Up • 2,827' Down 861.62 m Down
![Heading towards Grassy Ridge Bald.](https://hikingproject.com/assets/photos/hike/7058901_smallMed_1558350545.jpg?cache=1736576942)
AT: Carver's Gap to US19E
14.2 mi 22.9 km • 1,808' Up 551.09 m Up • 4,403' Down 1341.95 m Down
![Rays and ridges from Waterrock Knob. Photo by Robert Stephens.](https://hikingproject.com/assets/photos/hike/7014035_smallMed_1554823697.jpg?cache=1735970929)
Mountains-to-Sea Trail
1,237.1 mi 1,991.0 km • 74,609' Up 22740.7 m Up • 80,868' Down 24648.5 m Down
![Forest on Baxter Creek Trail in Great Smoky Mountains National Park](https://hikingproject.com/assets/photos/hike/7006223_smallMed_1554320273.jpg?cache=1736575524)
Benton MacKaye Trail
287.2 mi 462.3 km • 53,404' Up 16277.4 m Up • 55,479' Down 16910.1 m Down
![Mount LeConte after a winter storm on the AT. Clouds hug the ridges and hoarfrost covers the trees.](https://hikingproject.com/assets/photos/hike/7011319_smallMed_1554400402.jpg?cache=1736575666)
Charlies Bunion via Kephart Loop
14.5 mi 23.4 km • 3,599' Up 1097 m Up • 3,600' Down 1097.3 m Down
![Hard to research, so here is BC site #D3, no fires, pet friendly, water access is behind me down a very steep embankment not easy after a long hike, easier if gotten before getting to camp. Closes to Moonshine and Confusion Falls trail to enjoy longer.](https://hikingproject.com/assets/photos/hike/7054086_smallMed_1555704788.jpg?cache=1735972038)
Jones Gap - Caesars Head Loop
28.5 mi 45.9 km • 6,337' Up 1931.51 m Up • 6,336' Down 1931.18 m Down
![One of the newer features](https://hikingproject.com/assets/photos/hike/7021487_smallMed_1554928988.jpg?cache=1735969980)
Lemon Gap to Max Patch
10.6 mi 17.1 km • 1,530' Up 466.49 m Up • 1,530' Down 466.38 m Down
![Forest on Baxter Creek Trail in Great Smoky Mountains National Park](https://hikingproject.com/assets/photos/hike/7006223_smallMed_1554320273.jpg?cache=1735970728)
Tricorner Knob Loop via Appalachian Trail
34.7 mi 55.8 km • 7,017' Up 2138.89 m Up • 7,017' Down 2138.83 m Down
![Holcomb Creek Falls.](https://hikingproject.com/assets/photos/hike/7074208_smallMed_1603921459.jpg?cache=1735972661)
Rabun Georgia Half Marathon Hike
10.8 mi 17.4 km • 2,675' Up 815.38 m Up • 2,689' Down 819.55 m Down