Cold Mountain North Carolina, located 35 miles from Asheville North Carolina, has received notoriety from the best-selling Charles Frazier novel Cold Mountain and the acclaimed 2003 motion picture. The movie was filmed in Romania; however, the mountain scenery is very similar to the real Cold Mountain area. There is not an actual town of Cold Mountain. The mountain itself (elevation 6,030 feet) is part of the Shining Rock Wilderness area in Pisgah National Forest. (See photos.) Since Cold Mountain is in a national forest, it is still in its natural state (much as it was during the Civil War) and requires a strenuous 10-mile hike to reach its summit. However, you can enjoy beautiful views of the mountain from your car via the Blue Ridge Parkway or a shorter hike to the top of Mount Pisgah (see below).
View of Cold Mountain from Mt. Pisgah
SEEING AND HIKING TO COLD MOUNTAIN
The easiest way to see Cold Mountain is from the Blue Ridge Parkway at Milepost 412, about 30 miles from downtown Asheville. You can view the south side of Cold Mountain from an overlook near the U.S. Highway 276 exchange at Milepost 411.9. The views from the overlook are spotty with overgrown trees blocking most of the view. For the best view, go to the Wagon Gap Road Parking area at Milepost 412.2. Then walk north on the Parkway a short distance (see top photo).
 A more extensive view of Cold Mountain is enjoyed from the top of Mount Pisgah (5,700 feet), located at Milepost 407 on the Blue Ridge Parkway, 26 miles southwest of Asheville (read about the Mt. Pisgah hike). A 3-mile roundtrip hike takes you to the top for a grand view of Cold Mountain. The hike is a bit strenuous, but the view will be a nice reward. (See Hiking Guide.)
Another extensive view via an easier hike (1.5 miles roundtrip) is from Fryingpan Mountain Lookout Tower. (Read about the Fryingpan Tower hike.)
Note: This section of the Blue Ridge Parkway is closed for much of the winter depending on the weather, usually November through March. During these months, you can call 828-298-0398 (Asheville local call) for weather and road closure information. Even when the Parkway is closed, the Cold Mountain overlook is accessible from U.S. 276 exchange.
Hiking to the Cold Mountain Summit
(See photos of the summit hike to Cold Mountain)
The only way to reach the summit of Cold Mountain is via a 10.6-mile strenuous roundtrip hike in a wilderness area of the Pisgah National Forest. The hike includes a 2,800 foot altitude gain to the 6,030-foot peak. Chances are good that you will see few people on the entire hike. The trailhead for the hiking trail (Art Loeb Trail) is located at the Daniel Boone Scout Camp.
The Art Loeb trail to the Cold Mountain summit goes to the left from the parking area just after the Scout camp's last building. Leaving the roadside, the Art Loeb Trail switchbacks north to round a ridgeline at 1.1. miles. At 2.0 miles, the trail crosses tumbling Sorrell Creek at the first good campsites. The trail continues to rise across the richly forested flank of the Shining Rock Ledge. At 3.8 miles, take a left at Deep Gap. The peak is 1.5 miles north.
Since the hike is in a wilderness area, there are no signs or trail markers. Only experienced, in-shape hikers should tackle this mountain. The trail is well-worn, so it's fairly easy to follow. Read more about the Cold Mountain hike.
Cold Mountain Heritage Tours
On the first weekend of July, the Bethel community guides tours of sites that inspired the Cold Mountain book and movie. Historically, Bethel Community boasts its Indian heritage as well as its distinction as the location of the oldest settlement in Haywood County. This rural area is also fortunate to be the real home of “Inman” from Cold Mountain fame. The community, “Cold Mountain,” was essentially a fictionalized place that was named for a nearby mountain; actual events that happened in Inman’s life occurred in Bethel. Inman was born, lived, murdered, and buried in Bethel. Inman’s gravesite, the location of which has been quietly maintained since 1864 when he was killed, is featured on the tour. In addition to Inman, many of the young men from Bethel enlisted in the Confederacy. Fortunately, for the purposes of the tour, several of them built beautiful houses in the community that are well preserved almost 150 years later. Some of these homes, as well as others sites, are featured in the July event. Bethel community has maintained its strong religious connection and church affiliation since the early days of settlement. Bethel’s name is derived from its association with camp meetings prevalent in the area during the early 1820’s to 1840’s. To honor this religious tie, one historic church and two cemeteries as well as a camp meeting site are also on the tour. Tour guides at each location discuss architecture and family history concerning each site. Click here to go to the Bethel web site.
Cataloochee Valley
This area of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park (called "Catalucci" in the novel) will give you a glimpse of life in the 1800s. This beautiful valley has several original structures, and you can watch the elk from your car! Read more about Cataloochee Valley.
Scenic Driving Loop
This approximately 85-mile loop drive combines the two below routes for the beginning of the Cold Mountain hiking trail. It is a beautiful, hilly, curvy drive through a very rural mountain area. Allow 3-4 hours. As noted earlier, this section of the Blue Ridge Parkway is closed for much of the winter.
- Travel south on the Blue Ridge Parkway. For the best view of Cold Mountain, stop to hike Mt. Pisgah at Milepost 407. Continue south on the Blue Ridge Parkway, stopping at Cold Mountain overlook at Milepost 411.9. (See above "Best Places to View.")
- At Milepost 423.2, take NC Highway 215 north for 13 miles.
- If you want to drive an extra 8 miles roundtrip to go to the base of the hiking trail, turn right onto Little East Fork Road. Views of the mountain are limited.
- Continue for 5 miles. NC Highway 215 will turn into Highway 110. Continue 5.3 miles.
- In Canton, turn right onto Highway 19/23 north.
- Turn left onto Church Street, and right on Newfound Road.
- Go 1.6 miles to I-40 East to return to Asheville.
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