Devils Courthouse is a large south facing rock formation in the Blue Ridge Mountains. It is easily viewed from the Blue Ridge Parkway at mile 422.4 or just less than one mile north (compass northeast) of the intersection with NC 215 at Beech Gap.
A 2300 foot trail climbs over 250 feet to a viewpoint atop the rock formation. About half of the trail is paved with the upper portion gravel and rock. This nearly ½ mile walk gains elevation on a steep average grade of 11%. A stone wall around the viewing area was built to keep visitors from falling over the edge or wandering into sensitive areas used by nesting peregrine falcons. Several markers help visitors determine which mountains are visible in each direction. The views from the top are some of the best along this section of the parkway.
There is no shade atop the rock formation and swarms of small biting insects are seemingly everywhere on the summit. You've been warned. I hiked the trail in July 2017.
Topographic map with GPS route |
Elevation profile |
Devils Courthouse from the parking area |
View from the parking area |
Trail parallels the parkway |
Devils Courthouse Tunnel |
The trail steepens away from the raod |
Paved waterbars |
No rest for the weary |
Stay on the trail |
Pavement ends |
Gravel and rocks |
Rock outcrop |
Fenced section of trail |
Keep climbing |
Bench built into the fence |
The path continues beyond the fenced section |
Stone wall at the summit |
Looking back at the trail |
Sighting marker |
Courthouse Valley |
Toxaway Mountain (4777' 13 miles) on the horizon |
Closer view of Toxaway Mountain |
View towards Rabun Bald (4696' 33 miles) |
Richland Balsam (6410' 7 miles) |
Mount Hardy (6119' 2 miles) |
Parking area |
Snowbird Mountain (4201' 35 miles TN) |
Little Sam Knob (5862') and Sam Knob (6045' 2 miles) |
Blue Ridge Mountains |
Entrance to the Blue Ridge Parkway is free.
The parkway website is https://www.nps.gov/blri.
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