Rough Fork Trail,
Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Located 32.0 miles from Asheville, North Carolina (NC)
4 Stars
14,872 Steps 1  (6.6 mi)
Trails National Parks Great Smoky Mountains Rough Fork Trail

Elevation

The Rough Fork Trail has a maximum elevation of 5,190 ft., a minimum elevation of 2,861 ft. and an elevation range of 2,329 ft.

Metrics

[ A to B ] or [ B to A ]
Length 2Min Ele 3Max Ele 4Range 5
6.6 mi2,861 ft5,190 ft2,329 ft
[ A to B ]
Time 6Floors 7Gain 8Loss 9
3.1 hrs0.00 ft2,300 ft
[ B to A ]
TimeFloorsGainLoss
3.9 hrs191.72,300 ft0 ft
Data Accuracy
4 Stars
Data Reliability
5 Stars

Calories

The following chart shows the total calories that you may expend on the trail while hiking in both directions. The chart is based on data derived from a statistical model of energy expenditure that relates gross weight, typical speed and trail topography.

Topo Maps

Download the PDF Rough Fork Trail topo map and the adjoining quads to plan your hike. These are full-sheet, 7.5 Minute (1:24,000 scale) topographic maps.

Adjoining 7.5' Quadrangle Legend

1
2
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4
5
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7
8
9
  1. Northwest Topo Map: Mount Guyot, TN
  2. North Topo Map: Luftee Knob, NC
  3. Northeast Topo Map: Cove Creek Gap, NC
  4. West Topo Map: Smokemont, NC
  5. Topo Map: Bunches Bald, NC
  6. East Topo Map: Dellwood, NC
  7. Southwest Topo Map: Whittier, NC
  8. South Topo Map: Sylva North, NC
  9. Southeast Topo Map: Hazelwood, NC

Difficulty

The following chart illustrates the difficulty of hiking the Rough Fork Trail compared to two other trails. The x-axis is cumulative elevation gain and the y-axis is maximum elevation. The length of the trail is reflected in the size of the bubble.

FAQ

What is the length of the Rough Fork Trail?

The length of the trail is 6.6 miles (10.6 km) or 14,872 steps.

How long does it take to hike the Rough Fork Trail?

A person in good physical health can hike the trail in 3.1 hours in one direction and in 3.9 hours in the opposite direction.

Warnings

Prevent tick bites: Treat clothing and gear, such as boots, pants, socks and tents with products containing 0.5% permethrin. (cdc.gov)

Footnotes

  1. Steps is a unit of distance equal to the sum of stride lengths that vary with the terrain.
  2. Length is the distance of the trail between the two trailheads, measured on the trail.
  3. Min Ele is the minimum elevation on the trail.
  4. Max Ele is the maximum elevation on the trail.
  5. Range is the difference between maximum and minimum elevation.
  6. Time is the typical total time required to hike the trail.
  7. Floors is the gain divided by twelve feet, the height of one floor.
  8. Gain (cumulative elevation gain) is the sum of every gain in elevation.
  9. Loss (cumulative elevation loss) is the sum of every loss in elevation.

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