Jackie Steffan — 13 miles — Hard — 7 hours — 3,800 ft. Elevation Gain —
Sometimes I take for granted how lucky we are to have the Appalachian Trail right in our backyard. I often default to the same couple of AT hikes, but with hundreds of miles accessible within an hour or so, I’ve been trying to explore some new sections! Sam’s Gap to Big Bald is a section I have heard about a couple times over the years. I didn’t know much, other than that is was a long, full day hike.
We started the hike early on a Saturday and there was plenty of parking at the trailhead. The first 2 miles of the hike take you through an old growth forest. There’s something about these forests that make me feel like I’m in a fairy tale. The spaced out trees and short, green underbrush transport me right into a storybook. Right at the 2 mile mark, you will reach a meadow full of wildflowers, butterflies, and mountain views.
The next few miles aren’t as picturesque and are pretty steep. To be honest, I found myself questioning why I chose this hike or why anyone would recommend it. By mile 5, the trail leveled out and so did my mood. Eventually, the trail opens up on Big Bald and you’ll hike through some wildflowers and grasses until you reach the summit.
Getting There
From I-26
- Take exit 50 towards Flag Pond
- Turn left at the end of the ramp onto Upper Higgins Creek Rd
- Turn left at the stop sign onto Old Asheville Hwy
- Continue for a few miles, you will pass under I-26 and there is parking on either side of the road
The Hike
The trail from Sam’s Gap to Big Bald begins at red gate near the parking lot. There is a white AT blaze on the right side; maneuver around the gate near that blaze. From here, you will continue along the trail through a series of switchbacks and eventually to another metal gate. Go through this gate (make sure to close it behind you!) and continue following the white blazes.
After about 2 miles of up and down terrain, you will reach a meadow. Depending on when you go, the meadow will be filled with wildflowers, butterflies, and bees. I really enjoyed watching all the pollinators and taking in the views of the surrounding mountains. Continue through the meadow; the trail leads downwards slightly for the next half mile or so. You will pass some large rocks and eventually reach an ATV trail intersection. The AT goes through a metal gate marked with the white blaze.
The trail is a steady incline for the next few miles. There are some spotty views through the trees, but for the most part, this section is fairly nondescript. We did see some interesting mushrooms, which propelled us forward. By mile 5, the trail leveled out a bit and there was more to see. Between here and the summit there were some cool rocks and stone steps.
Between mile 5 and 6 there are 2 spur trails. One is labeled “Nature Trail” and the other is “AT Alt” marked with blue blazes. To continue onto Big Bald, make sure to stay on the AT and follow the white blazes and do not take either of these trails.
For the last half mile, the trail leads out onto the bald. Similar to the meadow earlier, there are lots of wildflowers and butterflies. Except this time, there are even more incredible mountain views. Towards the summit there is a huge blueberry bush, definitely stop and enjoy a few (but make sure to leave some for fellow hikers and the wildlife who make Big Bald their home). There are a several grassy areas to rest, eat a snack, and take in the views. There is also a fire ring if you are interested in adding this to a backpacking trip.
We got to the summit and were surprised by the number of people. We didn’t pass that many groups between Sam’s Gap and Big Bald, but it turns out there is an easier shorter hike to Big Bald. The incredible 360 degree views make the trip back to review the shorter trail worth a return. Stay tuned for another post in the future.
When you feel well rested and have taken in the views, head back the way you came and follow the white AT blazes back to the Sam’s Gap parking lot.
