Distance: 6.3 miles (Loop)
Difficulty:Easy to moderate
Elevation Change: gain-1137′; loss-1137′
My Hike: 6.8 miles (loop)
source: Great Day Hikes of North Carolina’s Mountains-to-Sea Trail
Pilot Mountain is in the Sauratown mountains, which are considered to be a part of the ancient Appalachian Mountains. They are located in the Piedmont and Section 7 of the Mountains to Sea Trail (MST). Pilot mountain is an obvious landmark in the area with an elevation of 2,421 feet. It is isolated from the nearby mountain range and the original Saura people (also known as the Cheraw), referred to it as “the Great Guide”. With its sheer cliff walls, it is a regional draw for avid rock climbers.
The Pilot Mountain Loop is Hike #15 of the 40 Hike Challenge and it encircles the base of Pilot Mountain. This was my second hike in the Piedmont area and I was looking forward to experiencing a different topography from what I was used to in western North Carolina. I was also looking forward to sharing the hike with my life-long friend, Art. We grew up together and a hike is one of my favorite ways to talk, laugh and catch up on a friendship that has spanned 50+ years.
Parking is at the Pinnacle Hotel Rd parking lot (large gravel lot). The trailhead is immediately across the street. It can be a bit confusing, because the Grassy Ridge trail is east of the actual trailhead for the loop. You will the find the loop trail on your left (or west). This trail is actually the Mountain Trail and it is blazed with both red round blazes (Mtn Trail) and white round blazes (MST).
Pilot Mtn Mountain Trail (and MST) 
The trail is well marked and well traveled so it is easy to follow throughout the loop. Also, all elevation changes are steady with no difficult climbs or descents. The trail surfaces vary from some sandy soil to rocky paths.
There are many large rock outcroppings scattered throughout the trail, making for some nice areas for bouldering, etc. The topography of the woods around the base of Pilot Mountain makes one think of a mountain that has blown all of its rock for miles around. There were multiple instances where there would be huge boulders over 30 feet high sprouting out of the forest floor with thousands of smaller boulders scattered all around.
The Loop trail does NOT directly ascend to the summit area of Pilot Mountain. If you are interested in reaching the top, there are two options: 1) a paved road from the Pilot Mountain Visitors Center that goes to a parking area at the summit or 2) take the Grindstone Trail to the top. From the loop trail, the intersection of the Grindstone trail is approximately 3.6 miles in from the Pinnacle Hotel Trailhead. Take the Grindstone trail to the right to reach the summit parking area (approx. 1.5 miles). Going left on the Grindstone Trail will take you to the Visitor’s Center.
Whichever option you choose, I highly recommend that you go to the summit and experience the views.
It was great to be back on the MST and to be able to experience another hike of the 40 Hike Challenge, and it’s always a blessing to be able to share the journey with a friend.
Thank you for this! I have passed Pilot mountain so many times but have never hiked it. It is now on my list! Tim and I did some MST today. I look forward to your posts here. 😊
Thank you for your comment. It was a great day to be hiking!
Very interesting, always wondered about this place. Great that Art could experience this with you.
Great that you share this with others
Look forward to seeing the next one.
Happy day!
Thanks for the great description! Planning to hike the loop this week. Hoping to hike segment 7 in bits and pieces during September.
I am hoping to catch up on some of the day hikes in that area, but I may wait for cooler temps. 🙂