Banner Elk, North Carolina
Top Spots in and near Banner Elk
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Burnsville, North Carolina
The Black Mountain Crest Trail is legendary among hikers in the southeast. It is the highest trail east of the Mississippi, as it traverses the summit of several peaks over 6,000 feet. It is also widely acknowledged as one of the premier hikes on the east coast. To whit, the trail immediately asc...
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Bluff City, Tennessee
There is a mud parking area on Lakeview Drive underneath the 11E bridges with a cleared mud parking area with access to the the South Fork of the Holston River. There is a gradual drop to the water where kayaks, canoes, or SUPs can be placed in the water. To the east, the river is more narrow at ...
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Damascus, Virginia
This multi-use (hiking, biking, horseback riding) rail-trail stretches 34 miles from Abingdon, Virginia to Whitetop, Virginia, passing through forests in the Blue Ridge Mountains, small farming communities in the countryside, and small historic towns.While you can pick up the trail at any point, ...
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Burnsville, North Carolina
Park at the work center but don't block the gate. Hike around the gate and head up the grassy and gravel road. Once you get to the creek a narrow path leads upstream to the base of the falls.
gps: n35 46.101/ w82 11.713
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Johnson City, Tennessee
Picken's Bridge has a parking area and boat drop that is accessible to place kayaks or paddle boards. From the boat drop there is a large open area of the lake to paddle around and explore. Northwest from the boat drop there are some cliffs that can easily be climbed up to cliff jump.
Please rem...
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Bristol, Tennessee
5.0
4.56 mi
/ 669 ft gain
Lake Ridge Trail and Lakeside Trail is a loop trail that takes you through a nice forest located near Bristol, Tennessee.
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Bristol, Tennessee
5.0
4.68 mi
/ 1368 ft gain
Lake Ridge Trail to Cross Ridge Trail Loop is a loop trail that takes you through a nice forest located near Bristol, Tennessee.
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Marion, North Carolina
This scenic drive is along NC 80 between a small town called Pleasant Gardens and Micaville. It can also be taken in the opposite direction depending on where you are driving from, but the main attraction is Lake Tahoma. Lake Tahoma is a private lake in the Western North Carolina Mountains, but ...
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Bristol, Tennessee
4.0
3.77 mi
/ 797 ft gain
Powerline Trail and Lakeside Trail Loop is a loop trail that takes you through a nice forest located near Bristol, Tennessee.
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Burnsville, North Carolina
5.0
8.24 mi
/ 2310 ft gain
I personally find this trail to be more difficult and have more rewarding views than the Mt. Mitchell summit trail.
The Deep Gap Trail starts near the Mount Mitchell summit and heads into a forest of spruce and balsam fir trees. The trail then climbs along the ridgeline to neighboring summits. E...
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Old Fort, North Carolina
4.8
0.76 mi
/ 292 ft gain
Green Knob Lookout Tower is an abandoned fire tower near Mt. Mitchell and located directly off the Blue Ridge Parkway. The tower boasts a full 360-degree, unobstructed view of Mt. Mitchell, Craggy Mountains, Table Rock, Grandfather Mountain, and the Parkway. Unlike most fire towers, this tower is...
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Burnsville, North Carolina
5.0
3.74 mi
/ 1194 ft gain
After arriving in the park off of the beautiful Blue Ridge Parkway, park at the first parking lot you encounter on the righthand side of the road. There is a visitor's center there where you can inquire about the park and pick up a park map. Once you do that walk outside and look to the left of t...
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Troutdale, Virginia
5.0
6.6 mi
/ 1000 ft gain
Starting at the Elk Garden Parking Area hike the Appalachian Trail south (do not cross the road, follow the trail from the parking area). Hike along the trail following the white blazes and at 2.4 miles you'll reach a campsite on your left. This is a great place to camp overnight if you decide to...
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Johnson City, Tennessee
Gray Quarry is a perfect destination for scuba diving in TN! The quarry is about 70 feet deep with ~3 acres of clear water. They have sunk a plane, bus, truck, firetruck, boat, seedoos, and more to the bottom. There is also a large variety of aquatic animals in the quarry. This is an awesome, loc...
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Mouth of Wilson, Virginia
5.0
1.35 mi
/ 157 ft gain
Park at the Visitor Center; don't stress when you get to the parking lot and can't see it, it's up the hill. From the parking lot hike across the road and find the staircase. Follow this up to the Visitor Center. If you're standing in front of the Visitor Center, the trailhead will be to the left...
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