Transylvania County, North Carolina

Getting there Fred W. Symmes (aka Pretty Place) Chapel is perched near the top of Standing Stone Mountain at 3000 feet above sea level. That being said, expect a long and winding drive up the mountain. It takes about 30 minutes starting from the bottom of the mountain to arrive to the chapel. Th...

A moderate to advanced 2.6 mile hike has many stairs and a lot of ascents and descents along the way. The hike may not be the easiest but the payoff is worth it. The trail is easily marked so no need to worry about getting lost. 

Part of Table Rock State Park, Lake Oolenoy is a 67-acre lake providing private boat access for kayaks, canoes, or small boats with electric trolling motors.To get to the boat ramp, when traveling on scenic Highway 11, turn Sah Ka Na Ga View Road on the opposite side of the road as the Table Rock...

This stunning waterfall tumbles down 80 feet before spilling into Lake Jocassee between a slot of shear rock cliffs. However, the catch is not many people see this beautiful location unless you have a boat or are willing to hike a streneous 8-mile hike one-way along the Foothills Trail.But I am s...

Once you get to the destination there should be a small parking area. At the end of this parking area you will see the start of the Twin Falls trail that will be mostly a flat walk. Follow this trail approximately 0.5 miles  to the falls. You will know you are in the right place if the creek is r...

This is an awesome hike to do if you're short on time or have hours to kill. Because it is so easy to access, it doesn't take very long to get down to it and can be accessed by two separate trails. Both trails are well maintained, however, while there are some blazes, it is not heavily marked. Th...

This is probably one of my favorite hikes I've done in Panthertown Valley. Its also one of the easier views to access. You start from the Salt Rock Gap Parking lot, taking the Blackrock Trail (447) up Blackrock Mountain. This trail is located about 100 yards to the left if you are standing lookin...

Panthertown Valley has a unique system of trails, with each trail having a specific number. Some of the trails listed at the information hut in the parking lot are accessed by taking one or two other trails to get to the start of the trail you are seeking. That is the case when hiking to Granny B...

Wilderness Falls offers a beautiful hike with a simple yet captivating falls. All of the maintained trails in Pantertown Valley are marked by a number system (there is an information hut in the parking lot with information about other local trails, distance of different trails, and emergency cont...

Mills River Valley Overlook is located along Blue Ridge Parkway. Situated at milepost  404.5 with an elevation of about 4,085 ft, this paved overlook offers sweeping views into the surrounding valleys on both sides of the ridgeline—rare among Parkway vantage points. This overlook is ideal for...

Cedar Cliff Rock is one of those local places that exemplifies the Blue Ridge mountains oh-so-well. From the top you can see the Tuckaseegee River along with both Cedar Cliff and Bear Creek Reservoirs. While there are a few homes in between, much of the view is untouched, allowing a big mountain ...

Upon entering High Hampton Inn, follow the entrance road past the registration building, cart shed and parking lot. Take a right down a gravel road that follows alongside Hampton Lake. This gravel road continues for half a mile, even winding through part of the golf course and crossing over the c...

Whitewater Falls is the highest waterfall east of the Rocky Mountains with the upper falls alone dropping over 400 feet. The walk to the falls is very short and friendly for all ages and abilities - the path is paved so the falls are wheelchair accessible. The falls are beautiful in all seasons b...

The hike to this waterfall is very short and well worth it. The waterfall is about 40 feet tall and has a large volume of water.  This makes for a great place to swim. The bottom of the pool is about 15 feet deep and offers cool mountain water. To get there it is just outside of Cashiers, North C...

Judaculla was an ancient Cherokee spirit being and giant. He ruled in western North Carolina in the traditional Cherokee homeland. Once while chasing some hunters, when he jumped to the ground, his hand hit a rock. You can still see the print on Judaculla Rock. It is the most elaborate piece of r...

Lake Powhatan is located just minutes away from Asheville, NC and offers a number of fun activities for you, your friends, and your family. In the warm summer months, the Lake is a popular spot for swimming. The small stretch of beach along the lake is a nice place to lay out and soak in the sun....