The Mountains-to-Sea Trail is a simple footpath stretching almost 1,200 miles across North Carolina from Kuwohi in the Great Smoky Mountains to Jockey’s Ridge on the Outer Banks.
More than just a walk in the woods, the MST traces the diversity that is North Carolina. Experience ancient mountains and small Piedmont farms, coastal swamps and colonial towns, changing textile villages and barrier islands. Almost 725 miles of footpath are now completed. With temporary routes on back roads and bicycle paths, hikers can now follow the trail on an adventure across North Carolina.
Friends of the Mountains-to-Sea Trail is the lead nonprofit organization supporting and advocating for the MST. Like the best gifts passed from one generation to the next, the trail is being made by hand. Each year, our community of volunteers and staff devote thousands of hours to planning and blazing the trail across the state step-by-step, milestone-by-milestone. You can become part of this trail blazing effort as a member of the Friends or as a volunteer.
Travel safely!
Always check our Trail Updates page for the most up-to-date trail routing changes, safety concerns and other information before you head out on the trail.
Get an Overview of the Trail
View the Trail Map
Our interactive Google Map shows the entire route of the trail and is an invaluable planning tool. The map includes several layers of important trail information that can be switched on or off, as well as drawing tools that allow you to create temporary annotations you can save by screenshotting.
Get our Guides
The MST is a different type of long-distance trail, with significant unblazed sections in wilderness areas and along roadsides as well as long stretches with little or no hiker infrastructure. Advance planning and good guidance are key to successfully hiking the trail. We offer two types of guides to the MST:
Segment Guides
Although useful for navigation on the trail, our PDF-format segment guides really shine as planning tools before you start your trek. They provide all the information needed to complete each of the 18 trail segments and alternate paddle route, including detailed hiking directions, going both east and west; information about where to get supplies, lodging, camping, food, and water along the trail; and trailheads, complete with GPS coordinates.
FarOut
We have partnered with FarOut, the world’s leading trail app, to bring the MST to you digitally. The app not only shows where the trail goes and what amenities you can expect along the way, but also shows you where you are on the trail. Download the trail route to your Android or iOS smartphone, and never worry about missing a turn or getting lost on the MST!
Trailhead Checklist
Everyone has their own preferred way to log their path toward completion, so we can’t suggest a single best option. However, if it’s helpful, we have created a spreadsheet showing the primary trailheads, which you can adapt as you like. Note that the spreadsheet will be updated only when we add or remove trailheads from the route, so some of the mileages or descriptions may be outdated. Use the spreadsheet at your own risk.
A variety of websites and apps show trails, but many of them have incorrect or out-of-date routes for the MST. We recommend using only official resources – our guides, interactive map and/or FarOut, along with any additional information on our Updates page – to plan and navigate your trail journeys.
New to the Outdoors?
If you’re new to the outdoors, it can be intimidating, so we’ve pulled together a few tips to help make your trip safer and more fun and to help you tread lightly on the land. Learn more about Leave No Trace principles, trail etiquette, and a few basic safety measures here. Even seasoned hikers may find something they didn’t already know!
Learn from Others
Several books have been written about the MST. Ranging from guides to armchair travel companions, something on this list is likely to be just what you or your loved one needs.
Many of our completers document their trips on blogs, YouTube, Instagram, or other platforms, and these resources can be very helpful. They are easily located by searching. We also host a group on Facebook.
Great Day Hikes on North Carolina’s Mountains-to-Sea Trail
by Friends of the Mountains-to-Sea Trail, edited by Jim Grode
The first-ever guide to day hikes along the crown jewel of North Carolina foot trails, this book features 40 hikes from throughout the state carefully chosen to appeal to hikers of all experience levels. Whether you’re a seasoned hiker or new to the outdoors, this official guide from Friends of the Mountains-to-Sea Trail is your go-to companion for exploring all the trail has to offer, showcasing everything from scenic mountain vistas to surprising escapes in the state’s Piedmont region and the wonders of coastal plain pocosins. It is available through our store, from UNC Press, or at online or brick-and-mortar bookstores and outdoor stores.
Discovering North Carolina’s Mountains-to-Sea Trail: A Companion for Hikers and Armchair Explorers
By Jerry Barker, former president of Friends of the Mountains-to-Sea Trail
Jerry Barker takes readers on a unique journey along the Mountains-to-Sea Trail’s full route, sharing the rich history and stories that live on each segment. Connecting the trail to the Indigenous history of western North Carolina, the long military presence near the Carolina coast, and more, Barker offers a new way to understand and appreciate not only the natural beauty of North Carolina but also its people and history. Dedicated long-distance hikers and day-trippers alike will value and enjoy this armchair guide. It is available through our store, from UNC Press, or at online or brick-and-mortar bookstores and outdoor stores.
The Mountains-to-Sea Trail Across North Carolina: Walking a Thousand Miles through Wildness, Culture and History
by Danny Bernstein
Danny, a former board member of Friends of the MST, wrote an account of her MST journey, focusing on the beauty, quirkiness, and vibrancy of the trail. Her book, published by the History Press (2013), is not a hiking guide but will give anyone interested in hiking the trail a great sense of the highlights and challenges of completing the trail. The book is available in bookstores and outdoor stores throughout the state and on Amazon.
Hiking North Carolina’s Mountains-to-Sea Trail
by Allen de Hart
This guidebook was published in 2000 by the University of North Carolina Press and is available in many bookstores and on Amazon. Although the hiking directions are out of date because new trail is being added every year, the book contains much valuable information about the areas the trail goes through and the history of the trail.
A Guide to the Edible and Medicinal Plants of the Mountains-to-Sea Trail
by Heather Houskeeper
A backpacker’s practical guide to identifying and harvesting edible and medicinal plants found along the Mountains-to-Sea Trail, complete with recipes to transform them into delicious backcountry meals and snacks. Heather has thru-hiked the MST twice. This guide can be purchased directly from the author at TheBotanicalHiker.blogspot.com. [Note: all information, suggestions and recommendations are made by the author. Friends has not verified the content within and is not endorsing the recommendations as either safe or unsafe for consumption. Also, the harvesting of plants on state or federal lands is restricted. Contact the land managing agency for more details.]
MST Trail Profiles and Maps: From Clingmans Dome to Mount Mitchell and Beyond
by Walt Weber and “the Gang” for the Carolina Mountain Club (3rd Ed.)
This book includes maps and profiles for about half of the mountain sections of the trail. It also includes valuable information about the history and natural features of the trail. The book can be purchased through our store as well as many bookstores and outdoor stores and on Amazon.
Stay Informed
We offer two email mailing lists. Trail Updates provides quick notice of trail closures, reroutes and other changes that affect hiker safety or convenience, while Friends of the MST News, our general list, includes our newsletters, sent regularly, plus periodic information about events and other ways to get involved.
Hiker Services
Even a solo hiker needs help from time to time, so here are a few services that can make your MST hike easier.
Find Trail Angels
The MST is still developing, and parts of the trail have few or no trail amenities such as camping or lodging. As a result, long-distance hikers – those who are thru-hiking or at least spending several consecutive days on the trail – require additional services that day-hikers or even overnighters don’t need. A network of generous Trail Angels, volunteers who provide assistance to long-distance hikers ranging from local information to shuttles, lodging and food, helps fill these gaps as we work to develop long-term solutions. To avoid overburdening these volunteers, we respectfully ask that only hikers planning to spend two or more consecutive nights on the MST request help from Trail Angels.
Book a Shuttle
We understand that hiking a long-distance trail such as the MST isn’t as simple as showing up at the trailhead and walking—you have to be able to get back, too! Our Trail Angels can sometimes help, but if not, we provide a list of all the commercial services we know about that might be able to provide shuttles along the MST.
Support the Trail
If you’re inspired by the MST and want to give back, there are several ways you can help.
Donate
The Mountains-to-Sea Trail happens because of donations by people like you. Friends of the MST is the lead nonprofit voice for North Carolina’s flagship hiking trail, and your support drives our work to build and maintain the trail and to help people enjoy it. All donations are welcome and appreciated.
Report Problems on the Trail
If you come across problems on the trail such as downed trees, trail erosion, overgrown trail, litter, vandalism, etc., you can help us out by reporting them using our handy form. And if that inspires you to join one of our volunteer crews, that’s even better!
Still have Questions?
Our FAQ Page has most of the answers! If you’re still stumped, contact us.
