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!
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.
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.