John Rock Trail
Pisgah National Forest
hard · 5.2 mi · +1400 ft · ~3h 30m · 50 min from downtown · Dog friendly
Features: Views, Forest, River
John Rock Trail is a hard 5.2-mile hike in Pisgah National Forest, about 50 min from downtown Asheville. Plan on 3h 30m with 1,400 ft of elevation gain. Dogs are welcome.
Directions to the trailhead · Plan a full day around this hike
Best time to go
October
About the hike
Challenging Pisgah classic ending at a dramatic rock face overlooking Looking Glass.
Trailhead
35.29, -82.776
Make a day of it
- Corky's Dawg House (Restaurants, ★ 4.7) — 3.9 mi from the trailhead
- 185 King Street (Restaurants, ★ 4.7) — 4.2 mi from the trailhead
- Noblebräu Brewing (Breweries, ★ 4.6) — 4.2 mi from the trailhead
Questions
How long does John Rock Trail take?
About 3h 30m for the 5.2-mile hike, with 1,400 ft of elevation gain.
How hard is John Rock Trail?
It's rated hard: 5.2 miles with 1,400 ft of climbing.
How far is John Rock Trail from Asheville?
About 50 min by car from downtown Asheville, in Pisgah National Forest.
Is John Rock Trail dog friendly?
Yes. Dogs are welcome on this trail.
When is the best time to hike John Rock Trail?
October, based on its views, forest, river and the season.
Similar trails
- Looking Glass Rock Trail: hard · 6.5 mi · +1700 ft · ~4h · 45 min from downtown · Dog friendly
- Masters Park to Haw Creek Overlook: moderate · 2 mi · +500 ft · ~1h 15m · 12 min from downtown · Dog friendly
- Catawba Falls: easy · 1.5 mi · +260 ft · ~50 min · 25 min from downtown · Dog friendly
Updated