“Go up to the top of Pisgah …” (Deuteronomy 3:27)
The biblical Mt. Pisgah, in modern-day Jordan, is a noteworthy site referenced in the Old Testament because Moses climbed to the top of it to view the “promised land.”
Yet in Western North Carolina, Mt. Pisgah is considered a top hiking destination for its stellar views.
Located within the 500,000 acres of Pisgah National Forest, the 5,721‑foot summit has been a favorite 360‑degree viewing spot for centuries. The Cherokee climbed Mt. Pisgah, as did early settlers.
Truly putting Mt. Pisgah “on the map” as a must‑see and must‑do was George Vanderbilt in the late 19th century. He purchased thousands of acres that included Mt. Pisgah, and then he made sure one of the verandas on his now‑famous home – Biltmore Estate in Asheville – had a direct view of the mountain.
A few decades later, the U.S. Forest Service acquired the land, and Mt. Pisgah and the surrounding area became part of one of the first designated national forests in the country.
Just about an hour‑and‑a‑half drive from Highlands or Cashiers, the Mt. Pisgah trailhead parking area is at Milepost 407.6 on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Venturing off the Plateau and taking in the stunning vistas on the popular 1930s‑era roadway is a treat. But the cherry on top of this excursion is actually standing at the top of Mt. Pisgah and looking out in all directions.
That said, once at Milepost 407.6, look for Mt. Pisgah signs and drive to the end of the road. The trailhead is obvious. Lace up those hiking shoes or boots, grab a hiking stick, and set off on the 1.5‑mile hike to the pinnacle.
It is a steady climb but doable. Everyone from little children to octogenarians has traversed this path. Along the wide trail are rocky outcroppings, plenty of unique foliage – like the otherworldly American cancer-root – and stone steps that were painstakingly placed by the Youth Conservation Corps in the 1970s.
Birds are plentiful as well. The flute‑like trill of the wood thrush and the drink‑your‑teaaaa song of the eastern towhee resonate through the woods from spring through summer.
Take the climb slow and steady to absorb the sensory experience, and stop along the way to peek out through cleared areas at the view beyond.
But the whole reason for the climb is the top. Once there, immediately obvious is the television tower, which rises approximately 350 feet in the air. It was installed 70 years ago. However, in June of this year, it was announced that the station WLOS will transmit from a new tower on Pinnacle Mountain instead of from the one on Mt. Pisgah. The transmitter tower on Mt. Pisgah will no longer be in service.
While the tower is fascinating to see, it is the spectacular and expansive views from the Mt. Pisgah viewing platform that make the hike up truly worth it. On a clear day, hikers can see the French Broad River Valley, Shining Rock Wilderness, and the City of Asheville.
Also, several peaks are easily identified with the phone app PeakFinder. The most prominent is 6,030‑foot Cold Mountain. This conical peak was made famous by author and Asheville native Charles Frazier in the best‑selling 1997 book of the same name. Plus, the 2003 Cold Mountain movie, starring Jude Law, Nicole Kidman, and Renée Zellweger, was based on the book.
Pause to soak in the surroundings before descending the mountain. A bonus to this half‑ or full‑day jaunt off the Plateau is a visit to the historic Pisgah Inn, where a glass of wine, an appetizer, and/or a full meal can be enjoyed in the restaurant. Shop for locally made crafts at the Inn’s Country Store, or hang out and absorb the view from chairs on the back deck or back lawn.
Mt. Pisgah may not be right around the corner from Highlands and Cashiers, but it is certainly not too far to enjoy all that this renowned area treasure has to offer.
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