Cold Mountain is a 6,030 foot mountain in the northern part of the Shining Rock Wilderness which is part of the larger Pisgah Ranger District. The mountain is quite impressive to look at as it really sticks out from the surrounding landscape. It can be seen from many viewpoints in the area including from downtown Asheville.
The mountain gained national attention in 1997 with the publishing of Charles Frazier’s Civil War era novel “Cold Mountain”. The book was adapted to a big budget Hollywood movie in 2003 giving it further exposure. The movie was filmed in Romania BTW.
The main way most day hikers get to the summit of Cold Mountain is a 10 mile out and back hike from Camp Daniel Boone.
You'll start this hike on the Art Loeb Trail until it reaches Deep Gap. After that you'll take the 1.5 summit spur trail to the top of Cold Mountain. It is uphill the entire way.
The reward of this hike (besides the glory of hiking to the top) is several spectacular 180 degree views into the Shining Rock Wilderness.
You won't have any views until the summit. You are in the forest the entire way until the final ridgeline.
There are a lot of wild flowers along the trail in the spring.
The hike begins at Camp Daniel Boone which grants year-round access even if camp is closed.
The Art Loeb trailhead is well marked on the left side of the Little East Fork Road near the back of the camp past the last building. Just park on the shoulder of the road.
All of Cold Mountain is in the Shining Rock Wilderness. There are no markings or trail signs the entire way as a result. Maps and/or GPS are highly recommended to avoid getting lost.
Group size is limited to 10 hikers due to Wilderness area restrictions.
There is a reliable water source on the summit spur trail just below the top ridgeline.
Cold Mountain made our local news September 2015 when a Jonesborough resident was injured doing this exact same hike spurring a two day search and rescue that ended with her being found alive thankfully.
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