Butter Gap - Long Branch Loop


Hike Number: 592

Area Location: Pisgah Ranger District

Trailhead Location: Gloucester Gap

Trailend Location: Gloucester Gap

Hike Type: Loop

Hiking Distance (miles): 10

Difficulty: Moderate

Total Elevation Gain: 2,000

Total Elevation Descent: 2,000

Route Map: .\hiking\maps\0592.pdf

Route Profile: .\hiking\profiles\0592.pdf

Download GPX track: .\Hiking\Download\0592.gpx

Trail Description: Start at Gloucester Gap and follow the Art Loeb Trail south over Rich Mtn. to Butter Gap. At the gap, we’ll turn downhill onto the Butter Gap Trail, then the Long Branch Trail and Cemetery Loop past the McCall Cemetery.There will be a short side trip to a beautiful, but rarely visited waterfall. We’ll finish with a short road walk back to the trailhead.

Topos: Shining Rock

Special Features: Waterfalls, mountain views, P-400

Flower Season: April

DriveHead: Westgate Shopping Center

2nd Meeting Place: Bi-Lo, Pisgah Forest

Driving Distance(Miles-RT): 80

Driving Directions: I-26 E to NC 280 S to US 276 W; left onto FS 475 to Fish Hatchery

Hike History: A0801, W0802, A1001 (cancelled)