Mountains-to-Sea Trail — Segment 17
~4 days · 51.6 mi · easy · Point-to-point
Quick facts
What the Mountains-to-Sea Trail — Segment 17 is known for
Mountains-to-Sea Trail — Segment 17 (Down East North Carolina) is a 4-day backpacking route of about 46 miles running from Oyster Point Campground on the Neuse River estuary northeast across Carteret County to the Cedar Island Ferry terminal. The route crosses the open Down East landscape of tidal marshes, small farm tracts, and pine woods on dead-flat coastal terrain, finishing at Cedar Island where a state ferry connects to Ocracoke and the Outer Banks.
Elevation profile
Elevation ranges from -10 ft to 141 ft over 51.6 mi. Measured from OSM geometry (approximate).
- Uphill 0.0 mi · 0%
- Downhill 0.5 mi · 1%
- Flat 51.1 mi · 99%
Ridgefold breaks every route into uphill, downhill, and flat — see the full per-day breakdown in the app.
Frequently asked questions
How many days does the Mountains-to-Sea Trail — Segment 17 take?
Most backpackers hike the Mountains-to-Sea Trail — Segment 17 in about 4 days (3 nights out) over its 51.6 miles, though pace varies with fitness and conditions.
How much elevation gain is on the Mountains-to-Sea Trail — Segment 17?
The Mountains-to-Sea Trail — Segment 17 climbs roughly 164 ft total — about 3 ft per mile, topping out near 46 ft.
Related trails
Sources & attribution
Route geometry and stats derived from OpenStreetMap (© OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL) — source relation. Stats are approximate and may differ from official surveys; permit rules and conditions change — verify with the managing authority before your trip. Last reviewed July 2026.