The High Country of North Carolina offers a wide variety of outdoor activities to entertain you in the summer months. One of our more popular activities is hiking. While there are a wide variety of hiking trails in the area, we’ve put together a list of some of the more popular trails.
The Appalachian Trail follows the mountain crest from Maine to Georgia with over 200 miles through Pisgah and Nantahala National Forests. Eighty-eight miles of the Trail pass through North Carolina and with an elevation between 2,000 and 5,000 feet. The best time to hike the trail is from mid-May through October. The Trail is open to foot travel only and boasts a chain of shelters spaced from 8 to 12 miles apart. The Appalachian Trail follows segments of mountain ranges from Damascus, Virginia, through the Cherokee National Forest to the North Carolina-Tennessee state line. Here you will find the highest mountains along the Trail, some above six thousand feet.
Along the Appalachian Trail, you will discover the Roan Highlands, well known for their Rhododendron Gardens and the panoramic views of the open grassy balds (blunt summits covered by a thick layer of native grass). The Appalachian Trail then continues south along the state line and through the Pisgah National Forest.
The Trail continues through the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and it is important for hikers to remember that permits are required for overnight stays in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Also remember that you need reservations to use the shelters there.
The Grandfather Trail at Grandfather Mountain is an upper mountain ridge trail. It offers hikers a wide variety – from forests of spruce and fir to rock walls and pinnacles and open spaces with views of mountains in every direction.
The Trail follows the crest of Grandfather Mountain from the Hiker’s Parking area to Calloway Peak, 2.4 miles away. The pace is often cautious and there are places where progress is hand over hand. At some very steep sections, hikers use in-place cables and ladders. For the less adventurous, there is an alternative route up the MacRae peak by way of the Underwood Trail.
The Profile Trail is also located on Grandfather Mountain. This Trail begins as a scenic stroll through seasonal wildflowers, crosses the Watauga River and then travels through rhododendron thickets and under a hardwood canopy. The upper sections (which begin around Foscoe View) can get noticeably steeper, but there are frequently spaced benches for rest stops. This trail offers a view of the “Grandfather” profile (look closely to see the outline of Grandfather asleep on his back!) The path becomes a demanding trail a little over two and half miles in. After a climb of 0.3 miles, the Profile Trail joins the Grandfather Trail.
Linville Falls is located on the Blue Ridge Parkway. There are trails leading to the views of both the upper and lower falls. Surrounding forests are filled with hemlock, white pine, oak, hickory and birch trees. There are also a variety of colorful wildflowers surrounding the trails in the spring and summer. In autumn, the changing colors of the leaves will leave you breathless.
The trails are open from dawn to dusk, year-round and with no fee. The falls are located on the Blue Ridge Parkway, between where US 221 and NC 181 intersect the Parkway. The Linville Falls trail is ½ miles long and joins the Park Service’s trail system.
There are two main hiking trails that lead to views of the Falls. Both begin at the Linville Falls Visitor Center and range in difficulty from moderate to strenuous. The Erwins View Trail is a moderate walk of 1.6 miles round trip, offering four different overlooks of the area.
The trails to Linville Gorge and to Plunge Basin begin at the visitor center and fork approximately 0.2 miles from the center. The right fork leads to the Plunge Basin Overlook which offers views of the lower falls. The Linville Gorge trail winds down through the rock cliffs to the bottom of the falls. Both of these trails are strenuous and you should remember that swimming and climbing on the rocks are prohibited for safety reasons.
Elk River Falls - This short waterfall hike is tucked into an isolated tract of Pisgah National Forest near the border with Tennessee. This trail is a popular 0.5-mile round-trip saunter after church on Sunday for local families. The parking lot is lined with grills and picnic tables (no camping), and a scenic, fishable river flows by.
To get to the falls from Banner Elk, follow NC 194 to the intersection with 19E. Turn right and travel approximately 2 miles to SR 1308. Follow the signs to Elk River Road on your right. The parking area will be approximately 5 miles ahead. (Note that the road turns from a two lane paved road to a one lane dirt road.) The trail to the falls is clearly marked and a very easy walk, however, the climb down to the pool at the bottom is moderately steep.
Roan Mountain State Park encompasses 2,006 acres of southern Appalachian forest at the base of Roan Mountain. The Park offers hiking, trout fishing, tennis, swimming, educational programs and mountain music concerts. The Appalachian Trail and famous Rhododendron Gardens of Roan Mountain are nearby at Carver’s Gap, a short 8 mile drive from the park. The park has a naturalist on hand year round to provide programs for visitors and special groups.
There are approximately 12 miles of hiking trails in the park and 2 ¼ miles of biking trails. The trails range in difficulty from easy to strenuous. At Carver’s Gap, you can access the Appalachian Trail, Rhododendron’s Gardens Trail, Roan High Bluff Trail and Hack Line Road Trail.
Call A and W Mountain Rentals (828-898-9188) today to reserve a rental for your summer hiking vacation. And remember, we have many pet friendly units available too!
The Appalachian Trail follows the mountain crest from Maine to Georgia with over 200 miles through Pisgah and Nantahala National Forests. Eighty-eight miles of the Trail pass through North Carolina and with an elevation between 2,000 and 5,000 feet. The best time to hike the trail is from mid-May through October. The Trail is open to foot travel only and boasts a chain of shelters spaced from 8 to 12 miles apart. The Appalachian Trail follows segments of mountain ranges from Damascus, Virginia, through the Cherokee National Forest to the North Carolina-Tennessee state line. Here you will find the highest mountains along the Trail, some above six thousand feet.
Along the Appalachian Trail, you will discover the Roan Highlands, well known for their Rhododendron Gardens and the panoramic views of the open grassy balds (blunt summits covered by a thick layer of native grass). The Appalachian Trail then continues south along the state line and through the Pisgah National Forest.
The Trail continues through the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and it is important for hikers to remember that permits are required for overnight stays in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Also remember that you need reservations to use the shelters there.
The Grandfather Trail at Grandfather Mountain is an upper mountain ridge trail. It offers hikers a wide variety – from forests of spruce and fir to rock walls and pinnacles and open spaces with views of mountains in every direction.
The Trail follows the crest of Grandfather Mountain from the Hiker’s Parking area to Calloway Peak, 2.4 miles away. The pace is often cautious and there are places where progress is hand over hand. At some very steep sections, hikers use in-place cables and ladders. For the less adventurous, there is an alternative route up the MacRae peak by way of the Underwood Trail.
The Profile Trail is also located on Grandfather Mountain. This Trail begins as a scenic stroll through seasonal wildflowers, crosses the Watauga River and then travels through rhododendron thickets and under a hardwood canopy. The upper sections (which begin around Foscoe View) can get noticeably steeper, but there are frequently spaced benches for rest stops. This trail offers a view of the “Grandfather” profile (look closely to see the outline of Grandfather asleep on his back!) The path becomes a demanding trail a little over two and half miles in. After a climb of 0.3 miles, the Profile Trail joins the Grandfather Trail.
Linville Falls is located on the Blue Ridge Parkway. There are trails leading to the views of both the upper and lower falls. Surrounding forests are filled with hemlock, white pine, oak, hickory and birch trees. There are also a variety of colorful wildflowers surrounding the trails in the spring and summer. In autumn, the changing colors of the leaves will leave you breathless.
The trails are open from dawn to dusk, year-round and with no fee. The falls are located on the Blue Ridge Parkway, between where US 221 and NC 181 intersect the Parkway. The Linville Falls trail is ½ miles long and joins the Park Service’s trail system.
There are two main hiking trails that lead to views of the Falls. Both begin at the Linville Falls Visitor Center and range in difficulty from moderate to strenuous. The Erwins View Trail is a moderate walk of 1.6 miles round trip, offering four different overlooks of the area.
The trails to Linville Gorge and to Plunge Basin begin at the visitor center and fork approximately 0.2 miles from the center. The right fork leads to the Plunge Basin Overlook which offers views of the lower falls. The Linville Gorge trail winds down through the rock cliffs to the bottom of the falls. Both of these trails are strenuous and you should remember that swimming and climbing on the rocks are prohibited for safety reasons.
Elk River Falls - This short waterfall hike is tucked into an isolated tract of Pisgah National Forest near the border with Tennessee. This trail is a popular 0.5-mile round-trip saunter after church on Sunday for local families. The parking lot is lined with grills and picnic tables (no camping), and a scenic, fishable river flows by.
To get to the falls from Banner Elk, follow NC 194 to the intersection with 19E. Turn right and travel approximately 2 miles to SR 1308. Follow the signs to Elk River Road on your right. The parking area will be approximately 5 miles ahead. (Note that the road turns from a two lane paved road to a one lane dirt road.) The trail to the falls is clearly marked and a very easy walk, however, the climb down to the pool at the bottom is moderately steep.
Roan Mountain State Park encompasses 2,006 acres of southern Appalachian forest at the base of Roan Mountain. The Park offers hiking, trout fishing, tennis, swimming, educational programs and mountain music concerts. The Appalachian Trail and famous Rhododendron Gardens of Roan Mountain are nearby at Carver’s Gap, a short 8 mile drive from the park. The park has a naturalist on hand year round to provide programs for visitors and special groups.
There are approximately 12 miles of hiking trails in the park and 2 ¼ miles of biking trails. The trails range in difficulty from easy to strenuous. At Carver’s Gap, you can access the Appalachian Trail, Rhododendron’s Gardens Trail, Roan High Bluff Trail and Hack Line Road Trail.
Call A and W Mountain Rentals (828-898-9188) today to reserve a rental for your summer hiking vacation. And remember, we have many pet friendly units available too!
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