more stats
1.5 miles
Distance
24 ft
Climb
-268 ft
Descent
00:18:22
Avg time
-246 ft
Altitude change
2,658 ft
Altitude min
2,905 ft
Altitude max
2,905 ft
Altitude start
2,657 ft
Altitude end
-3%
Grade
-19.1%
Grade max
11.8%
Grade min
787 ft
Distance climb
1 mile
Distance down
1,690 ft
Distance flat
00:18:22
Avg time

Butter Gap Details

  • Activities
    • Mountain Bike
    • Hike
    • Trail Running
    • Snowshoe
    • Backcountry Ski
    • Nordic Ski
  • Riding Area
    Pisgah / Brevard
    Brevard, North Carolina
  • Ref Number
    #123
  • Difficulty Rating
    Blue Rate
  • Local Popularity
    85 in Mountain Biking [+]
    • 65 in Trail Running
    • 55 in Hiking
    • 5 in Snowshoeing
    • 5 in Backcountry Skiing
    • 5 in Nordic Skiing
  • Global Ranking
    #34747 in Mountain Biking [+]
    • #61458 in Trail Running
    • #96389 in Hiking
  • Hiking SAC Scale
    T2 Mountain Hiking
  • Trail Type
    Singletrack
  • Bike Type
    AM, XC
  • Direction
    Both Directions
    Popular Direction Shown
  • Climb Difficulty
    Blue
  • Physical Rating
    Moderate
  • Trail Visibility
    Always easy to follow
  • Dogs Allowed
    Yes
  • eBike Allowed
    No
  • Land Owner
    USFS

Beautiful scenery, fun trail. Starts in Picklesimer Fields...flat, grassy area with crystal clean streamside riding, then a fast, gradual climb, and then a stiff, technical climb up to Butter Gap. Also makes a great downhill from the gap. Passes a waterfall. Part of Picklesimer Fields Best Ride.

A portion of this trail is seasonal, the segment from the intersection of Long Branch to Cat Gap is only open for riding Oct 15 - April 15, per USFS (https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/nfsnc/recreation/recarea/?recid=48318&actid=50). This is often confused by locals who think the entire route is season, however it is not. Please do not poach this lower section during the off season as it is very popular with hikers.

Trail Supporters

  • USFS
    Land Manager
Traditionally Indigenous Territory

Recent Activity on Trail

Past Week
  • 4 rides
  • 14 miles average
6 Months
  • 87 rides
  • 21 miles avg distance
All
  • 617 rides
  • Last: Jun 18, 2026
c1c2c3c4
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Status:
on May 30, 2026
Variable
Avg: 4.41 (19 votes)
Your vote: 0

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Trail Conditions
  • Unknown
  • Snow Groomed
  • Snow Packed
  • Snow Covered
  • Snow Cover Partial
  • Freeze/thaw Cycle
  • Icy
  • Prevalent Mud
  • Wet
  • Variable
  • Ideal
  • Dry
  • Very Dry
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Flat N NE E SE S SW W NW
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        Directions to butter-gap trailhead (35.259500, -82.815870)

        Photos

        56 more »
        117 |
        Aug 5, 2024 @ 5:17pm
        Aug 5, 2024
        128 |
        Aug 5, 2024 @ 5:17pm
        Aug 5, 2024
        105 |
        Aug 5, 2024 @ 5:17pm
        Aug 5, 2024
        121 |
        Aug 5, 2024 @ 5:17pm
        Aug 5, 2024

        Videos

        1 more »
        The Couch Potato MTB Race
        5:52 | 284 | Nov 11, 2018 , Brevard

        Trail Lists

        Routes with this trail

        65
        Butter Gap - Searcy Loop via Long Branch
        ★ 5.0 • 11 miles • 1,714 ft • 3 • Loop •
        This 15 mile loop starts at the Fish Hatchery and aheads West on road and trail to up to the and all th...
        81
        Cove Creek, Daniel Ridge, Searcy, Butter Gap
        ★ 4.0 • 19 miles • 2,577 ft • 8 •
        Mainly singletrack loop for MTB
        90
        Butter Gap - Searcy Loop
        ★ 3.0 • 14 miles • 1,662 ft • 6 • Loop •
        This 15 mile loop starts at the Fish Hatchery and aheads West on Davidson river road and trail to Searcy...

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        Nearby Trails

        Pisgah / Brevard

        Frequently Asked Questions About Butter Gap

        ▼ Where is Butter Gap located?
        Butter Gap is located in Pisgah / Brevard, Brevard, North Carolina, United States. It is part of the Pisgah / Brevard trail network. The trailhead is located at coordinates 35.2595, -82.81587.
        ▼ How hard is Butter Gap?
        Butter Gap is rated as Blue difficulty. The physical rating is Moderate. The average grade is 3%. The climb difficulty is rated Blue.
        ▼ What is the elevation gain for Butter Gap?
        Butter Gap has 24 ft of elevation gain. The trail has 268 ft of elevation descent. The elevation ranges from 2,658 ft to 2,905 ft.
        ▼ Is Butter Gap a point to point trail?
        Butter Gap is not a point to point trail. The direction is Both Directions. The trail type is singletrack.

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