Flat Rock

Trail Map: The Hike: This easy, short hike is great for kids of all ages. Flat Rock has great views of the Linville Valley and Grandfather Mountain. Interpretive signs tell the story of the plants, trees, animals, and geological features of the forest.  Hike Photos: Click on an image below for an enlarged view. Beer […]

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Rough Ridge on the Tanawha Trail

Trail Map: The Hike: This short hike on the Tanawha Trail has some amazing views. It’s rocky and steep, but the views are well worth the effort. The trail leads through a dense thicket of mountain laurel and rhododendron and reaches a boardwalk and wood observation platform. The Rough Ridge Lookout has some of the

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Profile Trail to Calloway Peak

Trail Map: The Hike: Grandfather Mountain has been on our hiking radar for a long time. The hike exceeded all of our expectations. First up: this is not an easy hike. The hike is nearly four steep miles of elevation gain. The rocky trail, switchbacks, 600+ wood and stone steps, rock scrambles, and ladders make

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Big Falls and the Pinnacle

Trail Map: The Hike: This easy trail has nice river and waterfalls views. The trail is well marked and well maintained. The hike begins with a swinging bridge across Big Cedar Creek. The trail soon becomes a wide, gravel path and passes beside the creek. Wildflowers line the trail with numerous nice creek views. Hikers

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Charit Creek Trail

Trail Map: The Hike: The Charit Creek Trail is a short section of the Sheltowee Trace, a 319-mile National Recreation Trail that spans the Daniel Boone National Forest and Big South Fork National Recreation Area in Kentucky and Tennessee. The trail also leads to Charit Creek Lodge, a rustic and historic wilderness hike-in lodge located

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Hazard Cave and Natural Bridge Loop

Trail Map: The Hike: This hike combines two of the park’s best short hikes into a fun loop. The trailhead is located near the Recreation Hall. Begin on the white-blazed Hazard Cave trail and enter the hardwood forrest. Pass a wood and stone bridge built by the Civilian Conservation Corp in the 1930s—the park honors

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Honey Creek Loop

Trail Map: The Hike: This technical hike has a little bit over everything, waterfalls, stream crossings, rock scrambles, wildflowers, views, and caves. It has been described on AllTrails as “the hikes hike” and we agree. Navigating this hike can be challenging. The trail is well marked; however, it winds over, under, and around rocks and

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