Walking Trails & Tasting Trails

Walking Trails

While there are many mountain walking and hiking trails throughout North Carolina –with a wide variety of lengths and challenge levels – 919 Magazine staff and friends recently visited a few in the Boone/Blowing Rock area of Eastern North Carolina. Here is a sampling of their explorations:

Linville Falls Trail

Beautiful. Trails from the Visitor Center take hikers to the three-tiered falls over the Linville Gorge (moderate to difficult). Usually busy. Lots of nearby hiking trails. Often described as the “Grand Canyon of the Southern Appalachians”. Campground, visitor center, fishing, picnic area.

Location: Blue Ridge Parkway Milepost 316.3 – 317 near Marion, NC

Profile Trail

This 3.6-mile adventure — beginning at the Grandfather Mountain State Park parking area near Sugar Mountain and Banner Elk – can be strenuous, as it begins at about 4,000 ft. and ends at more than 5,800 ft. at Calloway Gap.

Location: Inside Grandfather Mountain State Park, about 6.4 mi. from the ticket booth/gate.

Otter Falls

This 0.9 mi. out-and-back trail is rated moderate, but the elevation gain is 226 ft. – so can be moderately challenging for some. Plenty of parking, and well-marked trail. Generally, it’s well visited because it has beautiful small waterfalls; easy access and plenty of parking.

Location: Seven Devils, NC

Trout Lake Carriage Trail

Located in Moses Cone Memorial Park near Blowing Rock, this out-and-back trail is more than 3.5 mi. It’s also popular for bicycles and horse riding. Easy parking near the Manor House.

Location: Near Blowing Rock, NC

Price Lake Loop Trail

Family-friendly 2.3-mile loop trail, with lake and Grandfather Mountain views (canoeing and kayaking permitted on the lake). Often damp, with bridges and boardwalks through marshy parts.

Location: Milepost 297, Blue Ridge Parkway

2023 NC Year of the Trail

Crab Orchard Falls Trail

This trail near Valle Crucis is only a 1.5 mile out and back, but is considered moderate-to-challenging (steep). It’s typically a busy route, because of the multi-tiered falls. Parking near Valle Crucis Conference Center.

celebrates North Carolina’s vast network of trails, greenways, and blueways which showcase our diverse landscapes—grand mountain vistas, quiet rivers, vibrant urban greenways, coastal forests, and the rolling hills of the piedmont. CONTINUES ON

Profile Trail (Grandfather Mountain)

As part of the United Nation’s World Network of Biosphere Reserves, Grandfather Mountain offers 16 diverse and distinct natural ecosystems – with hikes and walks of various distances and difficulty – included many perfect for families. And trails are only part of the attractions at Grandfather, which also includes a mile-high swinging bridge, living animals and displays, and education exhibits.

The 3.6-mile Profile Trail is strenuous on the west side, climbing 1,775 ft., while traversing seven different natural communities. A wide variety of other trails also are available.

Location: Grandfather Mountain State Park, 4198 NC Hwy 105N, Banner Elk (about a 6.4 mile drive from the ticket booth/gate).

More On Nc Trail Events

For information on upcoming North Carolina events and activities related to the Year of the Trail, visit greattrailsnc.com/events