Annie Cannon Gardens and the Glen Burney Trail

Staff Report

Owned by the Town of Blowing Rock, Annie Cannon Gardens is a cute, almost secret venue that sits next to the trailhead of the Glen Burney Trail. Back in the mid-2000s, The Rotary Club of Blowing Rock built a wooden stage that has been used frequently by Blowing Rock School classes and their students. A few years ago, several rotary members were instrumental in fixing some features that had gone into disrepair over the years. Less than a football field’s distance from Main Street, the Glen Burney Trail is a rugged, 1.6 mile adventure. Not for the faint of heart, the trail drops some 800 feet into the Johns River Gorge, following the path of New Year’s Creek. It passes through native hardwood forests with views of three waterfalls. The trail was first used by native travelers in the region to get up and down the mountain, then later it connected logging camps, according to historical records.

Visitors to Blowing Rock are often surprised at how much the Glen Burney is an escape from what they know as everyday life. Out and back (up) requires about two hours-plus. The getting back is described as strenuous, but then once back, folks can always find a shady nook for a nap in Annie Cannon Gardens.