Mount Pisgah (mountain in North Carolina) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Mount Pisgah
View of Mount Pisgah from the Blue Ridge Parkway, October 2016
Highest point
Elevation	5,721 ft (1,744 m)
Geography
Location	Buncombe / Haywood counties, North Carolina, U.S.
Parent range	Appalachian Mountains
Topo map	USGS Cruso
Climbing
Easiest route	Hike

Mount Pisgah is a tall mountain found in the Appalachian Mountains in North Carolina, United States. It's part of the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains. This mountain stands 5,721 feet (1,744 meters) high, measured from sea level.

Mount Pisgah is about 15 miles (24 kilometers) southwest of Asheville. It sits right on the border between Buncombe and Haywood counties. You can easily reach the mountain by taking a hiking trail from the famous Blue Ridge Parkway. The trail starts near the Pisgah Inn.

Fun Things to Do at Mount Pisgah

Mount Pisgah is a great place for outdoor adventures. There are trails, picnic spots, and even a historic site to explore.

Hiking to the Summit

The main trail to the top of Mount Pisgah starts at a place called "Mt. Pisgah Parking." This spot is at milepost 407 on the west side of the Blue Ridge Parkway. The trail is 1.6 miles long, which is about 2.6 kilometers.

It's a moderately difficult hike, meaning it's not too easy but not super hard either. Some parts near the very top can be quite steep. Once you reach the summit, you'll find a small observation deck. This is a perfect spot to enjoy amazing views of the surrounding area.

The Secret Cable Car

You might notice a special cable car going up the mountain from the valley below. This isn't for people to ride! It's used to carry important broadcasting equipment to a building at the top. This building helps send out TV and radio signals.

Sometimes, engineers use the cable car to get to the top, especially when the weather is bad. This helps them do important work on the transmitters.

Exploring Buck Spring Trail

Also at the Mt. Pisgah Parking area, you'll find the start of the Buck Spring trailhead. If you walk a short distance down this trail, you'll discover something cool from the past. There's a historic exhibit where you can see the stone remains of a hunting lodge. This lodge once belonged to George Washington Vanderbilt II.

Picnic and Campground Areas

Across the Parkway from the parking area, at milepost 407, is the Mt. Pisgah Picnic Area. This is a fantastic spot to have a meal outdoors. It has grills for cooking, tables for eating, and clean restrooms. All these facilities are designed to be accessible for everyone.

Just a little further down the road, at milepost 408, you'll find the Pisgah Inn Lodge Restaurant and Country Store. There's also the Mt. Pisgah Campground nearby. You can start several other hiking trails from the campground or the Inn.

Gallery

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  View from Black Balsam Knob, 9.5 miles distant

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  Viewed from North Carolina Highway 151

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  Mount Pisgah summit, with radio tower