Mount Mitchell State Park
Mount Mitchell and Burnsville Hikes in the Black Mountains
Mount Mitchell State Park anchors the Black Mountains, and its trail list runs from a 0.4-mile campground walk to a 22.9-mile section of the Mountains-to-Sea Trail. The mileage and difficulty on the state park's own trail page make comparing them straightforward.
This page follows North Carolina State Parks' official trail list. The park's page says trail descriptions are still being added, so this page sticks to the distances and difficulty ratings it publishes rather than filling in details it does not.
Compare the Routes
Each trail below shows the distance and difficulty listed on the North Carolina State Parks trail page. Distances are one way unless noted.
Trail
Distance
Difficulty
Highlight
11.3 mi one way
Difficult
Long ridge route crossing 6,000-ft peaks, from state park land onto Forest Service land
Mountains-to-Sea Trail (Black Mountains section)
22.9 mi one way
Difficult
Longest route on the park's list
Top Picks by What You Want
Grouping the same trails by intent makes the choice faster if you already know what kind of outing you want.
Best for an easy outing
Campground Trail (0.4 mi one way) and Commissary Trail (2 mi one way) are the two routes rated easy.
Best for the summit
Mount Mitchell Trail (5.6 mi one way) is the route named for the peak, and it is rated difficult.
Best for a serious ridge day
Black Mountain Crest Trail (11.3 mi one way) is a long ridge route that crosses several 6,000-foot peaks. Plan logistics before you commit.
Route Details
Campground Trail Campground Trail is 0.4 miles one way and rated easy by North Carolina State Parks, making it the simplest walk on the list.
Commissary Trail Commissary Trail is 2 miles one way and rated easy, the longest easy route on the park's list.
Balsam Nature Loop / K.I.P. Track The Balsam Nature Loop, also listed as the K.I.P. Track, is a 0.7-mile loop rated moderate.
Old Mitchell Trail Old Mitchell Trail is 2 miles one way and rated moderate by North Carolina State Parks.
Camp Alice Trail Camp Alice Trail is only 0.5 miles one way, but North Carolina State Parks rates it difficult, so distance alone is a poor guide here.
Mount Mitchell Trail Mount Mitchell Trail is 5.6 miles one way and rated difficult. It leads toward the highest peak east of the Mississippi River.
Black Mountain Crest Trail Black Mountain Crest Trail is 11.3 miles one way per the state park and rated difficult. It crosses peaks above 6,000 feet and passes from state park land onto national forest land.
Mountains-to-Sea Trail (Black Mountains section) The Black Mountains section of the Mountains-to-Sea Trail is 22.9 miles one way and rated difficult, the longest route on the park's list.
Parking, Fees, and What to Know Before You Go
Mount Mitchell State Park reopened after Hurricane Helene, but it is worth confirming which specific trails are still affected before you go. Check the North Carolina State Parks page for Mount Mitchell for current status.
Several trails in this area, including Black Mountain Crest Trail, Mount Mitchell Trail, and Buncombe Horse Range Trail, lie in the Black Mountains range in Pisgah National Forest, not in the town of Black Mountain. If you are planning a town-based day in Black Mountain and Montreat, see our Black Mountain and Montreat hub.
Best Season
North Carolina State Parks' trail page does not tie these routes to a season, so check conditions on the day you go. At this elevation, weather can differ sharply from the valley, so pack layers and check the forecast for the summit before you leave.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Mount Mitchell trails are rated easy? Campground Trail (0.4 mi one way) and Commissary Trail (2 mi one way) are the easy-rated routes on the state park's list.
How long is the Mount Mitchell Trail? The state park lists Mount Mitchell Trail at 5.6 miles one way, rated difficult.
Where does Black Mountain Crest Trail cross land ownership? It is 11.3 miles one way and crosses from Mount Mitchell State Park onto national forest land.
Are these trails affected by Hurricane Helene? The state park reopened after Helene, but confirm which trails are still affected with the North Carolina State Parks page before you go.
Explore Full Write-Ups
Each trail above has its own detailed guide with directions and trip notes.
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