Vertical Mile Challenge
Hiddenite, United States • 20 Jun 2026
Vertical Mile Challenge
The Vertical Mile Challenge is an annual trail event at Rocky Face Mountain Recreational Area in Hiddenite, North Carolina, featuring two race distances on a looped course that includes a steep rock-face climb called "Stairway to Heaven."
Distances offered:
- 16 Miler - Vertical Mile, 8 laps on a nearly 2-mile loop
- 8 Miler - Half Vertical Mile, 4 laps on the same loop
Registration is a flat fee of $40 plus fees. The field is limited to the first 175 registered participants and there is no race day registration. Packet pickup is handled on race morning at the event location.
An aid station at the base of the mountain near the start and finish provides water, Gatorade, soft drinks, salty and sweet snacks, and pickles with pickle juice. Bottled water is available at the top of the Stairway to Heaven segment and at points on the trail. Runners are encouraged to carry a water bottle and may use drop bags at a paved section near the rock face.
Course layout moves from a paved base section onto trail, through the half-mile climb on exposed rock, and then about one mile downhill back toward the steps and start/finish area. Awards recognize overall Male and Female finishers, Alexander County Male and Female finishers, and fastest first laps for those who complete all eight loops in the Vertical Mile event. Recorded fastest lap and overall times exist for both men and women. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.