Devil's Courthouse Trail
At A Glance
0.4 mi one-way
Difficulty Rating: 0.4 
Steepness: Climbs Steeply
Tread Condition: Few Obstacles
Other Map ID: BRP MP 422.4
Hikes That Use This Trail: Devil's Courthouse
Description
This steep but half-paved path leads to the top of the spectacular Devil's Courthouse. It travels through a high-elevation, spruce-fir forest to an enclosed overlook area at the summit. Identifier plaques on the overlook walls allow you to align your views and find the names of nearby peaks and landmarks.
Devil's Courthouse used to be a popular rock climbing destination, but has been closed due to the fragile habitat that exists on and around the rock cliffs, including nesting sites for the Peregrine Falcon. Not only that, but it's a 200 ft sheer drop over the edge. It is illegal to leave the established trail and marked overlook in this area.
Intersecting Trails
This trail is located in the Blue Ridge Parkway Section 5 area. For a list of all the trails in that area, see the Blue Ridge Parkway Section 5 trails list page.
All Photos from the Trail
GPS Map
Map Information
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Data Formats
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GPX
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About the Map
Copyright
Base Layers
Base layers provided by OpenStreetMap, the US Geological Survey, the US Forest Service, and NC OneMap. Base layer images are subject to the respective copyright policies of their owners. Base layers may not be available at all times due to system maintenance or outages.
WNCOutdoors Base Layer
The WNCOutdoors Base layer is provided by WNCOutdoors.info. It is licensed by Creative Commons Attribution 3.0.
Trail and Marker Overlays
Trail layers and downloadable data are all original works created by WNCOutdoors with guidance from a variety of sources, including ensembles of our own GPS tracks, user contributed GPS tracks, official maps and GIS data from government agencies, and field observations. WNCOutdoors data is made freely available under the Open Database License - you are free to copy and use it for any purpose under the terms of that license (summary).
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Trail Segments
Trails are often made up of several connecting paths which may have different characteristics, allowed uses, and seasons. This trail is divided into multiple segments as follows:
Devil's Courthouse - Parking to Connector
- Allowed Uses: Hiking
- Length: 0.3 mi
Devil's Courthouse - Connector to Summit
- Allowed Uses: Hiking
- Length: 0.15 mi
Total Calculated Length: 0.45 mi
This value is derived from our underlying map data, and it may not match officially published information.
Feedback
Ratings
Average Rating: 5.0 (rated 2 times)
Rate It Now:
Jan M. said: It is convenient to have a paved walkway, but it is very steep and could be challenging to anyone not physically fit. But well worth the excertion.
Azoraa Tre'lok said: The walk was not too long and had a couple of benches along the steeper climb. The peak has a stone wall around the edge to keep you from going off the side but you can sit on top of the edge if you like heights. Amazing view from there. I was able to get back to the parking lot from the summit in 8 minutes.