Pilot Mountain - Pilot Knob Road

A beautifu monadnock knob, Pilot Mt. can be seen for miles. The parking lot near the pinnacle is located about 1200 feet above the piedmont plateau and 2200 feet above sea level. The approach to the climb begins about a mile from the park entrance. The steepest parts of the climb begin about a mile past the park entrance and kick up to over 16% for about a quarter of a mile. There are other sections that are 12-14% with a stretch of 6-8% grade about a half mile from the finish. The pitch kicks up one last time about 300 yards from the entrance to the parking lot. The newly constructed observation deck gives a great view of the piedmont from east to west. If the day is clear, the city of Winston-Salem can be seen 25 miles to the SE. Avoid warm weather holidays as there is quite a bit of motor traffic on the narrow winding road. Use great care on the descent as a couple of the switchbacks are quick tricky and have a tendency to move a rider into the oncoming traffic if overcooked. But, if you are a biker and are thinking of visiting the area, it is a great climb and there are several others with similar gradients and lengths nearby (Sauratown Mt. and Hanging Rock.)

My personal climb rating: