more stats
3.9 miles
Distance
272 ft
Climb
-2,167 ft
Descent
00:49:03
Avg time
-1,895 ft
Altitude change
2,750 ft
Altitude min
4,770 ft
Altitude max
4,645 ft
Altitude start
2,749 ft
Altitude end
-9.2%
Grade
-68.2%
Grade max
46.1%
Grade min
2,743 ft
Distance climb
3 miles
Distance down
115 ft
Distance flat
00:49:03
Avg time

Heartbreak Ridge Details

  • Activities
    • Mountain Bike
    • Hike
    • Trail Running
  • Riding Area
    Heartbreak Ridge Area
    Old Fort, North Carolina
  • Difficulty Rating
    Black Diamond Rate
  • Local Popularity
    30 in Mountain Biking [+]
    • 65 in Trail Running
    • 5 in Hiking
  • Global Ranking
    #72061 in Mountain Biking [+]
    • #19825 in Trail Running
    • #119090 in Hiking
  • Trail Type
    Singletrack
  • Bike Type
    DH, AM, XC
  • Direction
    Downhill Primary
    Popular Direction Shown
  • Climb Difficulty
    Blue
  • Physical Rating
    Hard
  • Trail Visibility
    Always easy to follow
  • Dogs Allowed
    Yes
  • eBike Allowed
    No
  • Land Owner
    United States Forest Service

Heartbreak Ridge is a classic Pisgah trail, descending from the Parkway near Mt Mitchell (4800ft elev) down to where it intersects with Star Gap. The top of the trail is in a fir/spruce forest, descending down the ridge - at times the trail is narrow and twisty passing though tight tree gaps, at other times the trail is wide open and fast, the overall character of the trail is rooty, narrow and classic Pisgah.

Take Star Gap West to Graphite Rd, or take Star Gap East to Lower Heartbreak Ridge Trail; While the trail is not the steepest in the area, if you take Lower Heartbreak trail all the way down to the bottom of Copper Ridge (1800ft elev) you will have completed one of the longest near continuous descents on the east cost.

Trail Supporters

  • USFS
    Land Manager
Local Trail Association
Traditionally Indigenous Territory

Recent Activity on Trail

Past Week
  • 0 rides
  •  
6 Months
  • 2 rides
  • 32 miles avg distance
All
  • 70 rides
  • Last: Jun 13, 2026
c1c2c3c4
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Heartbreak Ridge Trail Reports

statusdatedescription
Jun 6, 2026 @ 3:05pm (America/New_York)
Jun 6, 2026
Nov 20, 2025 @ 7:50pm (America/New_York)
Nov 20, 2025
 Dry, lots of leaves. Super rough and eroded
Mar 2, 2025 @ 5:22am
Mar 2, 2025
 No access from Parkway, access from Mitchell Toll Road only. All trees cleared, rideable top to bottom.
Dec 7, 2024 @ 4:39am
Dec 7, 2024
 Closed as of Dec 6th 2024 for trail maintenance, parkway is closed no access
Mar 15, 2024 @ 3:18am
Mar 15, 2024
more »
Status:
on Jun 6, 2026
Ideal
Avg: 4.31 (24 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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Slope Aspect
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Flat N NE E SE S SW W NW
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        Directions to heartbreak-ridge trailhead (35.700820, -82.258810)

        Photos

        89 more »
        88 |
        Jun 21, 2024 @ 10:22am
        Jun 21, 2024
        70 |
        Jun 21, 2024 @ 10:22am
        Jun 21, 2024
        66 |
        Jun 21, 2024 @ 10:22am
        Jun 21, 2024
        101 |
        Feb 11, 2024 @ 4:06am
        Feb 11, 2024

        Videos

        9 more »
        youtuber Heartbreak Ridge breaks everything BUT your heart!
        15:50 | 903 | Aug 25, 2020 , Old Fort
        youtuber Heartbreak Ridge Almost Broke Us • North...
        10:43 | 1124 | May 18, 2020 , Old Fort
        youtuber How to survive Heartbreak ... Ridge in Pisgah, NC
        10:58 | 1083 | Apr 11, 2019 , Old Fort
        Old Guys on New HeartBreak to Lower HeartBreak...
        47:34 | 165 | Jul 23, 2024 , Old Fort

        Technical Trail Features (TTF)

        Trail Lists

        Routes with this trail

        123
        Heartbreak Ridge-Big Loop
        ★ 5.0 • 27 miles • 4,546 ft • 4 • Loop •
        IMPORTANT: Old Mitchell Toll Road is to mountain bikers October 1 thru January 1 due to hunting season....
        112
        Curtis Creek to Heartbreak Ridge
        ★ 3.0 • 28 miles • 4,591 ft • 5 • Loop •
        From Curtis Creek, long ride up part of ORAMM, then down Heartbreak and back to parking lot
        107
        Full Heartbreak Shuttle - Longest Downhill in the East
        10 miles • 545 ft • 5 • Shuttled •
        Mountain Top Shuttles Route for Full Heartbreak Ridge from the down to Old US 70 at Camp Grier. Route...

        10 Reviews & Comments


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        Nearby Trails

        Heartbreak Ridge Area

        Frequently Asked Questions About Heartbreak Ridge

        ▼ Where is Heartbreak Ridge located?
        Heartbreak Ridge is located in Heartbreak Ridge Area, Old Fort, North Carolina, United States. It is part of the Heartbreak Ridge Area trail network. The trailhead is located at coordinates 35.70082, -82.25881.
        ▼ How hard is Heartbreak Ridge?
        Heartbreak Ridge is rated as Black Diamond difficulty. The physical rating is Hard. The average grade is 9.2%. The climb difficulty is rated Blue.
        ▼ What is the elevation gain for Heartbreak Ridge?
        Heartbreak Ridge has 272 ft of elevation gain. The trail has 2,167 ft of elevation descent. The elevation ranges from 2,750 ft to 4,770 ft.
        ▼ Is Heartbreak Ridge a point to point trail?
        Heartbreak Ridge is not a point to point trail. The direction is Downhill Primary. The trail type is singletrack.

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