Mount Mitchell (elevation 6,684 feet) is the highest point east of the Mississippi River. The trail to the top is a challenging hike of a little more than 11 miles round trip, with nearly 4,000 feet of vertical gain. The trail is rough and rocky in sections, and can be slippery depending on season and weather, and generally quite steep.

Mount Mitchell Trail Section

Because of the altitude, many of the plants and animals are like those native to alpine environments of Canada. Because of it’s height and location, Mount Mitchell makes a great hike to a very scenic view. For an easier day, you can also park at the peak for a short 1/4 mile hike to the viewing platform or preposition a car at the top to facilitate a one-way hike.

View from Mount Mitchell, NC

We hiked Mount Mitchell on a very chilly spring day, and quickly found out a lot of the peak isn’t sheltered from the wind. There was a really cold wind cutting across the peak, but that didn’t make the views any less spectacular! There are great signs at the top that identify all the major peaks in the area, in each of the four compass directions.

Sign at the top of Mt Mitchell

Mount Mitchell is located 35 miles Northeast of Asheville, NC, along the very scenic Blue Ridge Parkway. Asheville is a great town, with a ton of great microbreweries, and makes a great jumping off point for this and other hikes.