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Suggested Page Improvements to Pilot Mountain


We would like to suggest the addition of guide service listings to this page. Blue Ridge Mountain Guides, Granite Arches, and Rock Dimensions all operate at Pilot Mountain. Thank you.

Cristin Julian
Sep 7, 2018
Guide Services Suggestion
Guide Services that can show you the ropes in this location (and many more).

[[Rock Dimensions]]http://www.rockdimensions.com/

[[Blue Ridge Mountain Guides,]]https://www.blueridgemtnguides.com/

[[Granite Arches]]http://granitearches.com/

[[Fox Mountain Guides]]http://foxmountainguides.com/

Matt Windsor
Oct 14, 2019
Description Suggestion
South-facing quartzite cliffs with plenty of shade. Mostly toproping with bolts/rocks for anchors at the top (bring webbing/slings), but there is also sport/trad/mix available. Climbs vary from slab to overhanging with several roofs. Rock quality varies.

Can get busy on the weekends, especially around Three Bears and Middle Walls, and hot in the summer. Find the well-maintained trail in the SW corner of the parking lot and follow down through woods. Climbing area will be to your left with approach times from 2-10 minutes. Rappel down from the top or follow trail down to Three Bears gully (climber approved) to access the base of the cliff.

Climbers must register at the box in the parking lot for each vehicle in their party. The park asks that you avoid anchoring on trees and utilize bolts or rocks as anchors. All commercial, organized, or affiliated climbing groups of any size are required to have a special use permit in advance. The maximum group size allowed at Pilot is 14 people which includes guides, students, and spectators.



Matt Windsor
Oct 14, 2019
the route "Pilot Error aka Right Chickenbone" is outside the designated climbing area and should be removed from the map

Claire Murphy
Oct 19, 2021
Description Suggestion

South-facing gneiss cliffs with plenty of shade. Mostly toproping with bolts/rocks for anchors at the top (bring webbing/slings), but there is also sport/trad/mix available. Climbs vary from slab to overhanging with several roofs. Rock quality varies.


Can get busy on the weekends, especially around Three Bears and Middle Walls, and hot in the summer. Find the well-maintained trail in the SW corner of the parking lot and follow down through woods. Climbing area will be to your left with approach times from 2-10 minutes. Rappel down from the top or follow trail down to Three Bears gully (climber approved) to access the base of the cliff.


Climbers must register at the box in the parking lot for each vehicle in their party. The park asks that you avoid anchoring on trees and utilize bolts or rocks as anchors. All commercial, organized, or affiliated climbing groups of any size are required to have a special use permit in advance. The maximum group size allowed at Pilot is 14 people which includes guides, students, and spectators.


The old upper approach trail is closed and the Grindstone trail route is the new upper approach trail for the climbing area at Pilot now. More info here: https://www.ncparks.gov/pilot-mountain-state-park/home


Pilot Mountain Park Map.pdf


Claire Murphy
Oct 22, 2021
Description Suggestion

South-facing quartzite cliffs with plenty of shade. Mostly toproping with bolts/rocks for anchors at the top (bring webbing/slings), but there is also sport/trad/mix available. Climbs vary from slab to overhanging with several roofs. Rock quality varies.


Can get busy on the weekends, especially around Three Bears and Middle Walls, and hot in the summer. Find the well-maintained trail in the SW corner of the parking lot and follow down through woods. Climbing area will be to your left with approach times from 2-10 minutes. Rappel down from the top or follow trail down to Three Bears gully (climber approved) to access the base of the cliff.


Climbers must register at the box in the parking lot for each vehicle in their party. The park asks that you avoid anchoring on trees and utilize bolts or rocks as anchors. All commercial, organized, or affiliated climbing groups of any size are required to have a special use permit in advance. The maximum group size allowed at Pilot is 14 people which includes guides, students, and spectators.


The old upper approach trail is closed and the Grindstone trail route is the new upper approach trail for the climbing area at Pilot now. More info here: https://www.ncparks.gov/pilot-mountain-state-park/home


Pilot Mountain Park Map.pdf


Karsten Delap
Jun 4, 2022
Guide Services Suggestion

Guide Services that can show you the ropes in this location (and many more).


Pisgah Climbing School  www.pisgahclimbingschool.com

[[Rock Dimensions]]http://www.rockdimensions.com/


[[Blue Ridge Mountain Guides,]]https://www.blueridgemtnguides.com/


[[Granite Arches]]http://granitearches.com/


[[Fox Mountain Guides]]http://foxmountainguides.com/


Will Rodger
Nov 27, 2022
Description Suggestion

South-facing quartzite cliffs with plenty of shade. Mostly toproping with bolts/rocks for anchors at the top (bring webbing/slings), but there is also sport/trad/mix available. Climbs vary from slab to overhanging with several roofs. Rock quality varies. Topropers be on the lookout for face bolt anchors that have been installed and use those whenever possible to minimize erosion.


Can get busy on the weekends, especially around Three Bears and Middle Walls, and very hot in the summer. Find the well-maintained trail in the SW corner of the parking lot and follow down through woods. Climbing area will be to your left with approach times from 2-10 minutes. Follow the stone trail down to Three Bears gully to access the base of the cliff. Staying on trail is critical to minimize the impact that 1.4 million visitors per year have on the park.


Climbers must register at the box in the parking lot for each vehicle in their party. The park asks that you avoid anchoring on trees and utilize bolts or rocks as anchors. All commercial, organized, or affiliated climbing groups of any size are required to have a special use permit in advance. The maximum group size allowed at Pilot is 14 people which includes guides, students, and spectators.


The old upper approach trail is closed and the Grindstone trail route is the new upper approach trail for the climbing area at Pilot now. More info here: https://www.ncparks.gov/pilot-mountain-state-park/home


Pilot Mountain Park Map.pdf


Adam Gallimore
Dec 6, 2024
It would be helpful to add an area 15 or area 00 to combine all the boulders at Pilot Mountain into a sub-area titled "Pilot Mountain Boulders" within the Pilot Mountain area
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