Hiking at Pilot Mountain State Park was an inevitability for us. We can see the mountain all year from our stretch of the Blue Ridge Parkway. In addition, our campground guests who drive the forty-five minutes to the park always return with glowing reviews. Happily, our adventures hiking at Pilot Mountain State Park were memorable, fun and challenging.  

Check Your Destination

Before you go, check which part of the park you want to visit. Pilot Mountain has a mountain and Yadkin River section. The two parts are connected by a 6.6 mile corridor trail. Both areas are reached off Highway 52 south of Mt. Airy, NC via different exits. We only had time to try three of the trails in the mountain section, but we are looking forward to visiting the river sectionanother time.

Mountain Trails

Once you’re in the park, follow the main road up the mountain to the Upper Summit parking area. Take in the overlook first. Downtown Winston-Salem, NC is visible as well as farms and small towns that stretch across the green, rolling hills of the Yadkin River Valley. Another overlook you’ll want to take in is the Little Pinnacle. The tenth of a mile walk from the parking area gives you another view that also extends for hundreds of miles.

We followed the signs in the parking area to the Grindstone Trail. For hard-core hikers, you can park at the lower parking area by the Visitor’s Center and hike the Grindstone Trail all the way up the mountain, a distance of 3.5 miles one way. Of course, starting at the top of the mountain and hiking downhill may be easier for some folks. The Grindstone Trail is wide in most places with numerous switch backs to help compensate for the changes in elevation. The trail went through the forest with distant views of the surrounding valley and the Blue Ridge Mountains always in site.

We stayed on the Grindstone Trail for about two miles and then cut over on the Ledge Spring Trail. There is a cut off from the Grindstone to Ledge Spring at Three Bear Gulley, a popular climbing area. Unfortunately, we hiked right by it. The one mile Ledge Spring trail is uphill, narrow and mostly stone stairs. It is not for the faint of heart or knee. Don’t let that stop you from trying it because the view of the Yadkin River Valley is spectacular and unobstructed. If you’re not used to hiking trails like this one, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to take the view in as you stop to catch your breath.

The Ledge Spring Trail ends at the Jomeokee Trail, a roughly half-mile loop around the Big Pinnacle. This trail is easy enough for families with small children and provides another chance to enjoy the panoramic vista from the top of the mountain. The walk back to the parking lot from the Jomeokee Trail is only three-tenths of a mile.

Bet You Didn’t Know

I bet you didn’t know that Pilot Mountain is not part of the Blue Ridge Mountains. It is part of the Sauratown Mountains that rise above the Yadkin River Valley about 25 miles before you reach the Blue Ridge. There are two other peaks, Sauratown Mountain and Hanging Rock.

Another piece of trivia is that Jomeokee is the Indian name for Pilot Mountain. It means “great guide.” As the most visible landmark in the area, the mountain served the Native Americans as a visual guide.

Give it a Try

If you are coming to our area, stay with us at Fancy Gap Cabins and Campground and plan on making a day trip out of visiting Pilot Mountain. Whether you try the mountain section, the river trails or both, you’ll have a fantastic day.