Hikes of WNC: Lookout Trail

MONTREAT, N.C. (828newsNOW) — As peak hiking season hits Western North Carolina, trek out to Montreat outside of Black Mountain, N.C. for a climb up Lookout Trail. The technical route requires stamina and some rock scrambling, but its views of the Swannanoa Valley are unmatched.

Where is Lookout Trail?

The Lookout Trail trailhead.

Lookout Trail is located at 348 Lookout Ter. Road at the Montreat Conference Center. Drive through Montreat College and up Lookout Road to find the trailhead. While the parking lot at the trailhead fills up quick, there is ample overflow parking about .2 miles up the road. Watch out for oncoming traffic as you trot down to the trailhead kiosk.

Overflow parking for Lookout Trail.

Be safe on the .2 mile walk from overflow to the trailhead.

Head out on the trail to the left of the kiosk. The route is marked with yellow blazes, but it’s mostly straightforward. Just head straight up.

How difficult is Lookout Trail?

Due to the crazy grade and technical climbing on the route, I would categorize Lookout Trail as a very difficult hike. However, during my ascent, I ran into several families with multiple small children, all of whom seemed to be doing just fine. Even so, know your abilities. Lookout Trail requires a decent amount of rock scrambling, or using your hands and feet to scale rocky terrain, most of which comes in the stretch of the hike just before the summit, where hikers are likely to be most tired. There are also several wooden staircases that necessitate a tall step to get up on. The route is about .7 miles both ways.

Technical portions of the Lookout Trail climb.

Technical portions of the Lookout Trail climb.

Technical portions of the Lookout Trail climb.

Technical portions of the Lookout Trail climb.

Technical portions of the Lookout Trail climb.

What is Lookout Trail hike like?

It may be difficult, but considering its short length, there may be no WNC hike with more bang for your buck than Lookout Trail. The ascent, especially in late spring and early summer, is gorgeous, with verdant oak, pine and rhododendron framing the craggy rocks. While the final scramble over Lookout Rocks, as the summit of the hike is known, requires sure footing, there is surely no prettier a view of Black Mountain than from their outlook.

Views from Lookout Rocks.

Views from Lookout Rocks.

Views from Lookout Rocks.

Views from Lookout Rocks.

Views from Lookout Rocks.

Views from Lookout Rocks.

Its location can’t be beat either. Montreat is a special community, and well worth exploring after Lookout Trail.

Head down to Montreat after reaching the summit of Lookout Trail.

The trail is accessible, fun, challenging and gorgeous. As summer hiking season dawns, finding an adventure better than Lookout Trail is already going to be a tall order.