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North Carolina
North Mills River
3.3 mi
Distance
492 ft
Gain
1h 13m
Time
No verdict for this trail
We won't guess. Here is exactly what we do and don't know.
What we do know
Inside National Forests in North Carolina
2 managing-area boundaries mapped — agency alerts for them feed this page automatically.
Boundary data
What's missing
No access route mapped
We don't yet know which road reaches this trailhead, so we can't tell you if it's gated.
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Why you'll love it
Here's your day, mapped
North Mills River
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Meals
Gear for the day
Elevation & route
- Distance
- 3.3 mi
- Elevation gain
- 492 ft
- Elevation loss
- 492 ft
- Highest point
- 2,395 ft
- Lowest point
- 2,260 ft
Photos
Directions & GPX
Permits & access
- Managing agency
- Forest Service
- Bikes
- yes
About this trail
This challenging 3.30-mile out-and-back trail in Tennessee offers hikers a demanding adventure through the Mills River area. The route connects to FS 5001 and provides access to the Bent Creek Experimental Forest and the South Mills River system, making it an excellent choice for experienced hikers seeking a more rigorous backcountry experience.
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