Mountains-to-Sea Trail — Segment 2
~5 days · 59.3 mi · strenuous · Point-to-point
Quick facts
What the Mountains-to-Sea Trail — Segment 2 is known for
Segment 2 of the Mountains-to-Sea Trail — "The Balsams" — runs from Waterrock Knob (6,292 ft) southwest to the Pisgah Inn on the Blue Ridge Parkway, about 61 miles through one of the most biodiverse mountain corridors in eastern North America. The route plunges through spruce-fir forest, rhododendron tunnels, and heath balds while passing Graveyard Fields and the swimming hole at Skinny Dip Falls, with nearly 25,000 feet of cumulative elevation change across long roadless stretches. This is the most demanding 5-day segment in the western MST — strenuous grade with limited resupply and no shortcuts once committed.
Elevation profile
Elevation ranges from 11,217 ft to 19,396 ft over 59.3 mi. Measured from OSM geometry (approximate).
- Uphill 27.3 mi · 46%
- Downhill 28.1 mi · 47%
- Flat 3.9 mi · 7%
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 2 take?
Most backpackers hike the Mountains-to-Sea Trail — Segment 2 in about 5 days (4 nights out) over its 59.3 miles, though pace varies with fitness and conditions.
How much elevation gain is on the Mountains-to-Sea Trail — Segment 2?
The Mountains-to-Sea Trail — Segment 2 climbs roughly 10,075 ft total — about 170 ft per mile, topping out near 5,958 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.