This is a tough section of the trail traversing ten knobs while climbing Cove Mountain before reaching Bearwallow Gap (elevation gain 1,769 feet). The AT crosses Panther Ford Bridge and begins the climb of Cove Mountain crossing the Glenwood Horse Trail at 1.2 miles and reaching the junction with the Buchanan Trail at 1.5 miles. The trail passes a rock outlook with views of the Buchanan area and Purgatory Mountain reaching Cove Mountain Shelter at 3.2 miles. The AT continues climbing Cove Mountain to the summit at 5.0 miles and then descends to the end of the section at Bearwallow Gap (6.4 miles). The Peaks of Otter Lodge is 4.9 miles north on the Blue Ridge Parkway.