A high-elevation hike through a northern hardwoods forest What to Expect Two trails start at Walker Knob Overlook. The Mountains-to-Sea Trail with its characteristic white circles starts from the middle of the parking area. This hike on the Big Butt … read more
A storied peak for ambitious hikers Local author Charles Frazier made this 6030-foot-high peak in the Great Balsams famous with his 1997 novel of the same name. The 2000 movie version won the hearts of even more fans. Hikers love it too, but … read more
Intriguing name, spectacular sunsets From the parking area at Devil’s Courthouse Blue Ridge Parkway, you can see your destination above you: an imposing rock outcropping that dares you to climb it. Rise to the challenge: from atop this … read more
An off-the-beaten path gem with an easy or challenging approach Tucked away in the beautiful Big Ivy area of Pisgah National Forest, the 70-foot Douglas Falls offers the rare opportunity to walk behind a waterfall. The waterfall drops from an … read more
The granddaddy of technical hikes Called the most technical hike east of the Mississippi (without climbing equipment), the hike to McRae’s Peak, Attic Window and Grandfather Calloway Peak at Grandfather Mountain is also affectionately called … read more
Historic retreat center trail with Seven Sisters views Founded as a retreat center in the 1890s, Montreat later developed as a conference center for the Presbyterian Church and also includes a college. The area’s steep wooded trails offer … read more
Something wild for the advanced hiker Called “the Grand Canyon of the East,” Linville Gorge drops 2,000 feet to the Linville River. Part of the nearly 12,000-acre Linville Gorge Wilderness, this is unspoiled country where rock climbers … read more
Looking for a challenge? Earn your view from the top in Pisgah National Forest Looking Glass Rock is a white-granite “pluton” (igneous rock), rising to nearly 4,000 feet from the floor of Pisgah National Forest. Visible from the Blue … read more
A taste of the Appalachian Trail in Hot Springs Taking its name from a local legend, the Lover’s Leap Trail in Hot Springs offers a bird’s eye view of the French Broad River and the mountains beyond it. Following the Appalachian Trail … read more
This classic hike near Western Carolina University delivers a workout Looking for a challenge? Dramatic views await at The Pinnacle, a rock outcropping that sits at elevation 5,008 feet. When you reach the summit, you'll see the town of Sylva … read more
A robust hike with payoff views from a historic 30-foot tower Stunning long-range views await you from the recently refurbished Rich Mountain Lookout Fire Tower along the Appalachian Trail in Hot Springs. In Spring 2018, the historic fire tower … read more
An introduction to Hickory Nut Gap Steep wooded slopes, mountain creeks, open fields and long-range views: this trail has a little bit of every type of terrain that you'd find in the Hickory Nut Gap area. The trail begins at the same parking … read more
A relatively new Western North Carolina trail offers challenges and rewards The Wildcat Rock Trail features a waterfall, long-range views, caves and wildflowers. Completed in 2017, the three-mile (each way) trail is the result of years of … read more
