The mountains of western North Carolina–surrounding Boone and Blowing Rock–have some of the best trails in the southeastern United States with a variety of terrains, ecosystems and climates ranging in altitude from around 3,000 to more than 6,000 feet of elevation. From in-town parks and forests to wilderness area swaths of land, trails criss-cross The High Country like veins that carry adventurers of all ilks into the area’s many worlds.
Wiseman’s View-Linville Gorge: A Quick Guide
Wiseman’s View in the Linville Gorge Wilderness provides visitors a panoramic experience from a pinnacle more than 1,400 feet above the gorge floor. The 4 mile stretch of gravel, rocky, sometimes-rutted road could leave you bottomed out, depending on how well-maintained you find it after heavy rain or snow. The view once you get there,…
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The Tanawha Trail: A Guide
“Tanawha” means fabulous hawk in the Cherokee language. That’s what they used to call Grandfather Mountain. Then the pioneers came in and must have seen the grandfather in profile. Big nose. Prominent chin. Long beard. Lying on his back all across the ridge line above 5,900 ft. The name stuck. But the Tanawha…
The Boone United Trail: A Quick Guide
This Boone in-town hike is a local favorite for hikers, runners and families. Why You Should Hike The Boone United Trail Boone United Methodist Church has carved a beautiful, well-maintained trail system that begins on the church’s campus, winds over two brief creek crossings, and then starts climbing up the southward slope of Howard’s Knob…
The Boone Greenway Trail: A Quick Guide
The Town of Boone Greenway Trail is a Boone-area in-town favorite for runners and casual hikers. But there’s a lot more trail and exploring to do there than meets the eye. Plus it’s super close if you’re short on time. Why You Should Explore the Boone Greenway Trail The Boone Greenway Trail is an in-town…
Rough Ridge on the Tanawha Trail: A Guide
The Rough Ridge Trail is a local way of referring to a section of the 13-mile Tanawha Trail, a footpath curving through forest and alongside rock outcroppings, following the contour of 5,946-foot Grandfather Mountain’s eastern slopes and named in deference to the mountain’s native name–Tanawha. “Hawk.” The Rough Ridge section is an out-and-back…
Rocky Knob Mountain Bike Park: A Quick Guide
From an amble on rolling trails to brief but delightfully rugged uphills and gymnastically rapid descents, Rocky Knob should win an award for best use of space in Watauga County and perhaps for most creative use of rocks. For hikers, mountain bikers and trail runners it’s a perfect spot for a quick and rugged afternoon…
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Roan Mountain: A Quick Guide
This is the home of the Gray’s Lilly and of so many opportunities for adventure. It’s beautiful across all seasons. | Photos by JC Garcia Why You Should Hike Roan Mountain A trek across the Roan Highlands is the stuff hiking dreams are made of. Sometimes it literally feels like a dream, when the wind…
Mountains to Sea Trail-Goshen Creek: A Quick Guide
The Mountains to Sea Trail at Goshen Creek is a rolling, out-and-back stream-side jaunt that at points becomes quite a workout and hill climb. It’s another of those in-town wonders that transports you quickly into a wilderness excursion not far from the car. And of course you could walk all the way to the coast…
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Linville Gorge: 3 of our Favorite Hikes
The Linville Gorge Wilderness is 11,786 acres of amazing. Here’s 3 of our favorite excursions into this spectacular western North Carolina wild land. Photography by JC Garcia Wiseman’s View–A Linville Gorge Panorama Wiseman’s View provides visitors a panoramic experience from a pinnacle more than 1,400 feet above the gorge floor. The 4 mile stretch…
Hebron Rock Colony
We made a trip to Hebron Rock Colony at the front of peak leaf viewing. We had been there before but from the other side. The side you access from the Boone Fork Trail. But this side, accessed through Foscoe somewhere near Hound Ears down a winding gravel road you park alongside, takes you down…
Hawksbill Mountain Trail (North Carolina)
The Hawksbill Mountain Trail in western North Carolina’s Linville Gorge is a quick hike full of grandeur that winds through beautiful rhododendron and up to rock outcroppings for a spectacular view of the breathtaking landscape from atop Hawksbill Mountain–one of the our state’s treasures. Photography by JC Garcia CLICK HERE TO GET THERE DISTANCE. 2…
Green Knob Trail: A Quick Guide
A short but highly-featured hike that starts and ends at the Blue Ridge Parkway with creek crossings, hand-hewn stairs, rhodo tunnels, balds, medieval directional signs, hill climbs, steep descents. | Photos by JC Garcia CLICK HERE TO GET THERE Loop Trail. 2.2 miles Difficulty. Easy to Moderate but with some technical parts that involve short…
Elk Knob State Park: A Quick Guide
Elk Knob State Park is a relatively new state park in the amphibolite range of western North Carolina. situated between Boone, North Carolina, and Todd along Meat Camp Road and literally across the way from the famed Snake Mountain. Elk Knob State Park’s nearly 2-mile trail to the 5,520-foot summit of Elk Knob is the…
Doughton Recreation Area Quick Guide
Doughton Recreation Area is outside the High Country norm but well worth the trip | Photography by JC Garcia Just about every established hike along the Blue Ridge Parkway is going to be worth your effort. But if you’re ready to explore some spots away from the better-known High Country haunts, Doughton Recreation Area might…
China Creek Thunderhole Loop: A Quick Guide
The little-known and poorly-marked China Creek Thunderhole Loop trail drops down swiftly into the beautiful Johns River Gorge. It offers strenuous adventure and solitude. Why You Should Hike the Daunting China Creek Thunderhole Loop CLICK HERE TO GET THERE | ONLINE GUIDE I love this trail, perhaps because I accidentally found it while I was…
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Black Mountain Crest Trail: A Quick Guide
This 12-mile trek from Bowlens Creek to the summit of Mt. Mitchell is one of the burliest and most rewarding hikes in western North Carolina. If you’re out of shape, it’s PAINFULLY beautiful, especially that initial 4,000, 4-mile ascent up to Celo Knob. Train for it, and bring enough water. This is a bucket list…
A Quick Guide to The Chimneys
This day hike provides some of the most amazing views of one of the best parts of Linville Gorge, and it can be among the harder hikes there depending on where you start. The overlooks at The Chimneys though are spectacular on a clear day. Photography by JC Garcia Click Here to Get There All…
A Complete Guide to the Boone Fork Trail
Hebron Falls, or the Boone Fork Falls, is one of the many treasures you’ll discover when you hike the easy-to-moderate 5.5-mile loop known as the Boone Fork Trail. Hebron Falls is a dramatic cascade that weaves through a bed of massive boulders on its gradual descent.For five glorious miles, the Boone Fork trail carries hikers…
A Complete Guide to Grandfather Mountain
Grandfather Mountain is worthy of your time. Let’s talk about a few things before you take off on your next adventure. (Actually, feel free to take off anytime you want.)*
5 Snow Hikes in the High Country: Quick Guide
Snow has a way of transforming the High Country into another world. Of course the slopes of App Ski Mountain, Beech Mountain and Sugar Mountain are natural destinations when the flurries begin, but there are less domesticated areas of the mountains worth a snow hike exploration. Photos by JC Garcia 1. In-Town: The Boone United…
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