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The Sauratown Mountains: Pilot Mountain State Park to Hanging Rock State Park


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Map Key

37.1

Miles

59.7

KM

Point to Point

2,524' 769 m

High

861' 262 m

Low

4,646' 1,416 m

Up

3,803' 1,159 m

Down

4%

Avg Grade (2°)

43%

Max Grade (23°)

Dogs No Dogs

Features Birding · Fall Colors · River/Creek · Swimming · Views · Waterfall · Wildflowers · Wildlife

The privately owned stretches of the Sauratown Trail, which make up the majority of this segment, are closed for hunting season between November and early January. Hiking the trail during this time period is strictly prohibited.

Section Of

Need to Know

Only horses are permitted on the trails. Trained service animals are allowed if they are assisting individuals with disabilities.

Camping is prohibited throughout Segment 7 except where designated.

If you plan to leave your car overnight or longer at any of the state park parking areas, you must notify a park ranger. Otherwise they will assume you are lost and start a search for you.

Although the trail is closed during the gun and black-powder deer hunting season from November to early January, it remains open during bow hunting and turkey seasons. Always wear blaze orange when traveling on private property in this segment, and learn more about hunting seasons and regulations before your trip at ncwildlife.org/Hunting.aspx. Hunting is prohibited in Pilot Mountain and Hanging Rock State Parks.

Description

Segment 7 begins in the west at Pilot Mountain State Park, making a near-complete loop around the mountain. East of Pilot Mountain, the MST joins the Sauratown Trail, one of the earliest long-distance trails in the state. Winding through farmland, forests, and country roads, this trail skirts the northern flank of Sauratown Mountain. The trail is unusual in that it is mostly on private lands, and is open to trail users through the generosity of many individual landowners. As you navigate the trail, please be respectful.

At its eastern end, Segment 7 enters Hanging Rock State Park, the third-oldest state park in North Carolina. In the park, the MST passes within a few feet of the summit of Moore's Knob, the highest point in the Sauratown Mountains. The views from the summit fire tower are spectacular! From the rocky slopes of Moore's Knob, the trail descends through oak-hickory forest to Hanging Rock Lake, popular for swimming and boating in the summer and home to a CCC-built pavilion and bathhouse, and on to its eastern end at the Hanging Rock State Park Visitor Center.

This segment provides a sense of isolation that is rare in the Piedmont. There are no towns or stores on the segment, and only a few businesses of any sort. At the same time, much of the trail passes through working farmland, even within a few feet of active farm buildings. The nearest towns for resupply or lodging are Pilot Mountain, about 3 miles north of Pilot Mountain State Park; King, about 8 miles south on US 52; and Danbury, which MST Segment 8 passes through about 4 miles east of the eastern end of Segment 7.

In contrast to the majority of the MST, most of Segment 7 is open to horseback riders, and equestrians make up a large portion of the trail's users and advocates. All of the Sauratown Trail is equestrian trail, and the Corridor Section of Pilot Mountain State Park and the Ruben Mountain Trail (also marked as Tory's Den Trail) in the western part of Hanging Rock State Park are both open to horses. Visitors should be aware of the potential of encountering equestrians and that horses always have the right-of-way. When encountering equestrians, those on foot should calmly greet the rider and avoid quick movements to keep from frightening the horse.

The MST and Sauratown Trail in Segment 7 is generally very well marked with the MST blaze—a 3" white circle—and Sauratown Trail signs. In a few locations, where trail is newly designated or trees have fallen, there may be gaps in the blazing, but these are rare, and the Sauratown Trails Association regularly replaces them. Because the trail is designed for equestrian use, the blazes are often higher than expected on a pedestrian-only trail. The sections of trail within Pilot Mountain and Hanging Rock State Parks, in addition to the white MST blazes, also have a second set of colored blazes corresponding to the state park trail systems.

For more information, including camping, lodging, parking, shuttles, and resupply information, as well as detailed, turn-by-turn directions, download a trail guide from the Friends of the Mountains-to-Sea Trail.

The Sauratown Trail is maintained by the Sauratown Trails Association, and the portion of Segment 7 within the state parks is maintained by Friends of the Sauratown Mountains. Both organizations hold regular trail workdays. As a result, this segment is built to very high standards, and it is a joy to explore.

Contacts

Shared By:

Jim Grode with improvements by Lance R

Trail Ratings

  3.6 from 10 votes

#12430

Overall
  3.6 from 10 votes
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4 Star
60%
3 Star
40%
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1 Star
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Trail Rankings

#488

in North Carolina

#12,430

Overall
4 Views Last Month
5,879 Since Apr 21, 2016
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult

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Photos

View from the observation tower on Moore's Know - Hanging Rock State Park.
Jan 25, 2016 near Danbury, NC
Looking toward Pilot Mtn.
Oct 13, 2016 near Danbury, NC
The view from Moores Knob - Hanging Rock SP, NC
Jan 25, 2016 near Danbury, NC
Moores Knob Hanging Rock SP, NC.
Jan 25, 2016 near Danbury, NC
Blaze markings start across from the Hauser Road parking area.
Jul 9, 2017 near King, NC
View of the lake
May 2, 2018 near Danbury, NC

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Check-Ins

Apr 7, 2020
Richard Scarborough
Jul 12, 2019
Rob May
17mi
Apr 28, 2019
Jessica Byerly
Jan 12, 2019
Phil York
Aug 18, 2018
Emory Sadler
Jul 21, 2018
Ricky Harris
Outstanding trail. I had to do it in segments but I had a great time. Highly recommended. 32.2mi
Jun 2, 2018
Bethany Vallangeon
27.5mi
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