Cold Mountain

Cold Mountain is a summit in western North Carolina that rises to approximately 6,030 feet within the Shining Rock Wilderness of Pisgah National Forest. The mountainous terrain is covered with dense forest and provides views of the surrounding ridge country.

The mountain lands were long part of George Washington Vanderbilt II's private holdings until his widow sold them to establish the first national forest in the eastern United States. This transfer of ownership marked a turning point in protecting the region's forest lands.

The mountain gained recognition through Charles Frazier's 1997 novel and the film adaptation that followed, which tells a story set during the Civil War period. This literary connection has made the place a destination for readers and film fans.

Hikers reach the summit via the Art Loeb Trail, a route that requires good physical condition and takes several hours to complete. The path winds through forest with varying grades and may present different challenges depending on the season and weather conditions.

The place draws visitors more for its connection to Frazier's acclaimed novel than for its hiking routes, with many people coming to walk through the literary landscape. This unexpected blend of outdoor trail and literary pilgrimage site gives the mountain a double identity.