Slickrock Creek Trail
~4 days · 12 mi · moderate · Point-to-point
Quick facts
What the Slickrock Creek Trail is known for
A rugged 13-mile loop through the Joyce Kilmer-Slickrock Wilderness on the NC/TN border, following Slickrock Creek through old-growth forest with dozens of creek crossings before climbing via connector trails back to the trailhead. Expect strenuous terrain, no maintained bridges, and primitive dispersed camping along the creek corridor. Typically hiked in 2–3 days.
Elevation profile
Elevation ranges from 3,629 ft to 15,932 ft over 12 mi. Measured from OSM geometry (approximate).
- Uphill 10.9 mi · 91%
- Downhill 0.9 mi · 8%
- Flat 0.2 mi · 2%
Ridgefold breaks every route into uphill, downhill, and flat — see the full per-day breakdown in the app.
How hard is the Slickrock Creek Trail?
On the Ridgefold Difficulty Index, the Slickrock Creek Trail scores 30/100, a relative rating across the 1,243 trails we've mapped, blending distance, elevation gain, and steepness. It is a comparison within our set, not an official rating.
Frequently asked questions
How many days does the Slickrock Creek Trail take?
Most backpackers hike the Slickrock Creek Trail in about 4 days (3 nights out) over its 12 miles, though pace varies with fitness and conditions.
How much elevation gain is on the Slickrock Creek Trail?
The Slickrock Creek Trail climbs roughly 4,656 ft total — about 388 ft per mile, topping out near 4,875 ft.
Related trails
Sources & attribution
Route geometry from OpenStreetMap, © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0. 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.