Troutdale, Virginia

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...

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...

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.

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...

The Hike to Dennis Cove Falls includes three water crossings and passes several small waterfalls. Sturdy cables spanning the width of the water crossings provide a fun way of traversing the creek without wading. It is completely possible to wade through the creek while holding onto the cables for...

Appalachian Trail: Dennis Cove to Watauga Lake is a point-to-point trail that takes you by a waterfall located near Hampton, Tennessee.

From Hampton, Tennessee, take US-321S for about 3.5 miles. Turn right onto Dennis Cove Road and travel for 4 miles on this steep and very curvy mountain road.  The trailhead is where the Appalachian Trail (AT) crosses the road at a small gravel lot on the left.  Take the AT north on the trail le...

Appalachian Trail: Dennis Cove to US 19E is a point-to-point trail that takes you through a nice forest located near Roan Mountain, 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 ...

Laurel Falls via Appalachian Trail is an out-and-back trail that takes you by a waterfall located near Hampton, Tennessee.

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...