Shut In Trail at Sleepy Gap

Sleepy Gap is located on the Blue Ridge Parkway at mile marker 397.3, heading SW on the parkway from Asheville. Only being 15-20 mins outside of Asheville it’s a great hike if you’re just looking for a quick trip into nature! Located in the Bent Creek section of the parkway the Mountain to Sea “Shut In” trail runs right through the parking area. Taking a right from the parking lot will take you on a nice level trail around Grassy Knob. This direction is perfect for young hikers and toddlers, not too challenging! Road noise will disappear immediately and you’ll truly feel like you’re secluded and deep in the woods. This section can be hiked as an out and back or a loop. To make it a loop you hang a right about 3/4 of a mile in, you’ll see a tree marked with 2 red dots at the intersection. The trail will climb steeply up Grassy Knob and descend along the parkway and back to the parking area. We rarely see anyone on this loop! 

For a steeper more difficult hike take the steep left trail out of the parking area (the trail descending to the left is how you’ll return on this loop). This will immediately start climbing switchbacks up the ridge and descend to Chestnut Ridge overlook about a mile in. You can either turn around at this point or make a loop. To make a loop follow the trail down and to the right (not to the overlook). You’ll almost immediately see another trail turn right and back track down the way you came. Follow this down to the forest road in Bent Creek and take a right on the gravel road. Follow the road for about another mile and you’ll see a sign for Sleepy Gap on your right, this trail climbs steeply back to the parking area. This is about a 4 mile loop. From the gravel road you can also access many trails within Bent Creek. They are pretty well marked but definitely google and screenshot a trail map for that area!

Please note the address on the map is the Blue Ridge Visitor Center in Asheville. The hike doesn’t have an address but the mile marker is noted above.