Mountains-to-Sea Trail — Segment 18
~9 days · 115.1 mi · easy · Multi-day trek
Quick facts
What the Mountains-to-Sea Trail — Segment 18 is known for
Mountains-to-Sea Trail — Segment 18 (The Outer Banks) is a 9-day backpacking route of about 111 miles — the MST's final and longest coastal segment — running from the Cedar Island Ferry landing across Ocracoke Island, through Cape Hatteras National Seashore, and north along Hatteras Island and Bodie Island to the trail's eastern terminus at Jockey's Ridge State Park in Nags Head. The route alternates between open Atlantic beach, sound-side marshes, and the wind-sculpted dune fields of the Outer Banks barrier islands, with the iconic living sand dunes of Jockey's Ridge marking the end of the 1,100-mile trail.
Elevation profile
Elevation ranges from -259 ft to 108 ft over 115.1 mi. Measured from OSM geometry (approximate).
- Uphill 0.4 mi · 0%
- Downhill 0.3 mi · 0%
- Flat 114.2 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 18 take?
Most backpackers hike the Mountains-to-Sea Trail — Segment 18 in about 9 days (8 nights out) over its 115.1 miles, though pace varies with fitness and conditions.
How much elevation gain is on the Mountains-to-Sea Trail — Segment 18?
The Mountains-to-Sea Trail — Segment 18 climbs roughly 223 ft total — about 2 ft per mile, topping out near 72 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.