Banner Elk, North Carolina

Looking for the best hiking in Banner Elk? We've got you covered with the top trails, trips, hiking, backpacking, camping and more around Banner Elk. The detailed guides, photos, and reviews are all submitted by the Outbound community.

Top Hiking Spots in and near Banner Elk

  • Linville, North Carolina

    Profile Trail to Calloway Peak

    5.0
    6.2 mi / 2300 ft gain
    If you're looking for a challenge and hoping to escape the crowds at Grandfather Mountain, this is the hike for you.  Climbing up the back side of the mountain (opposite the famed mile-high swinging bridge) this trail is fee-free and easy-to-access with its own parking lot.  The trail, marked w...
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  • Seven Devils, North Carolina

    Calloway Peak via Profile Trail

    7.11 mi / 2493 ft gain
    Calloway Peak via Profile Trail is an out-and-back trail with waterfall views located near Banner Elk, North Carolina in Grandfather Mountain State Park.
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  • Banner Elk, North Carolina

    Calloway Peak via Daniel Boone Scout Trail

    5.0
    6.31 mi / 1991 ft gain
    At 5,946 feet, Calloway Peak provides hikers with perhaps the best view of North Carolina's Blue Ridge Mountains. You'll have to earn this view - it is a tough climb up, although not terribly long. Begin at the trailhead for Tanawha Trail in the Boone Fork Parking Area on the Blue Ridge Parkway....
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  • Banner Elk, North Carolina

    Explore Boone Fork Creek

    0.25 mi / 75 ft gain
    Boone Fork Bridge and creek is situated at the base of Grandfather Mountain, on the Blue Ridge Parkway, milepost 299.9. Elevation 3905'.The trailhead is at the left side of Boone Fork Creek parking area and the trail is a gentle meander through Rhododendrons and a hardwood forest.As you head tow...
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  • Newland, North Carolina

    Beacon Heights Overlook

    5.0
    0.71 mi / 105 ft gain
    Beacon Heights is the perfect hike when you're on the Blue Ridge Parkway near Linville and Grandfather Mountain, Milepost 305.2. The trail is a steady climb uphill for less than a half mile. The last section being fairly steep and rocky. Once at the top, there are several rock outcroppings, but...
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  • Linville, North Carolina

    Rough Ridge via the Tanawha Trail from Beacon Heights

    5.0
    7.49 mi / 1280 ft gain
    If you're feeling frisky, set your alarm for the early am and park at the Beacon Heights Parking area about 30 minutes before dawn. Put on your head lamp and hike the short trip to Beacon Heights, bask in the glory of the warm morning sun, then head back down and connect with the Tanawha Trail. A...
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  • Elk Park, North Carolina

    Elk River Falls

    4.6
    0.35 mi / 62 ft gain
    The coordinates for the parking area are 36.198288, -81.970137. You'll see a parking area that's dirt/gravel on the right side of the road. At the far end of the parking lot is a sign that says Elk River Falls with an arrow pointing up the hill. From this point its about a .2 mile long walk to th...
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  • Linville, North Carolina

    Rough Ridge Lookout

    4.3
    0.5 mi / 92 ft gain
    The trailhead for Rough Ridge will be on your righthand side when driving the Blue Ridge Parkway from Boone, NC. This trail gets busy in the warmer months, but parking usually is not too much of an issue. This trail is not open in the winter. Rough Ridge will take you around 30-45 minutes to rea...
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  • Blowing Rock, North Carolina

    Camp and Paddle at Price Lake

    This campground is all kinds of amazing, and if you get one of the sites in the A loop, you will have lakefront property (just be warned, if I see you there, I'll have to crash with you ;-). Price Lake is a gorgeous lake right off the Blue Ridge Parkway in North Carolina and perfect for canoeing...
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  • Linville, North Carolina

    Hike the Flat Rock Trail (NC)

    5.0
    0.6 mi
    Flat Rock Trail is located off the Blue Ridge Parkway at milepost 308. There is a pull-off from the Parkway with a sign designating the location. There are several picnic tables around the pull-off, but I would recommend taking your lunch up to Flat Rock. The wide, clear trail is practically flat...
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  • Appalachian Trail, Tennessee

    Jones Falls via Appalachian Trail

    5.0
    10.65 mi / 2484 ft gain
    Starting at the Appalachian Trail (AT) trailhead at US 19E, follow the AT north for 3.1 miles until you reach the intersection of the trail with Buck Mountain Rd. This section of the AT has an elevation gain of almost 1000 ft, and large sections of trail with significant meadows offering magnific...
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  • Blowing Rock, North Carolina

    Price Lake Loop Trail

    5.0
    2.23 mi / 387 ft gain
    Price Lake Loop Trail is a loop trail that takes you by a lake located near Blowing Rock, North Carolina.
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  • Blowing Rock, North Carolina

    Boone Fork Trail

    4.0
    5.06 mi / 1030 ft gain
    Boone Fork Trail is a loop trail that takes you by a waterfall located near Boone, North Carolina.
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  • Newland, North Carolina

    Big Hump Mountain via the Appalachian Trail

    4.5
    7.83 mi / 2021 ft gain
    Towering over Little Hump Mountain, Big Hump Mountain offers one of the clearest views on the Appalachian Trail. Big Hump Mountain is located in the Roan Highlands North of Bradley Gap. This peak is not as traveled as other popular hikes in the area despite its massive size because of the intense...
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  • Newland, North Carolina

    Hike to Bradley Gap along the Appalachian Trail

    4.6 mi / 1339 ft gain
    Bradley Gap rests along the Appalachian Trail overlooking North Carolina and Tennessee mountains. Part of the Roan Highlands, Bradley Gap can be accessed via Yellow Mountain Gap Trailhead. Follow the Roaring Fork Trail from the trailhead until you intersect the Appalachian Trail (White Blaze) app...
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  • Collettsville, North Carolina

    South Harper Creek Falls

    5.0
    3.46 mi / 564 ft gain
    South Harper Creek Falls is an out-and-back trail that takes you by a waterfall located near Collettsville, North Carolina.
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