HIKING

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 86 with incredible views of the Blue Ridge parkway.

This out and back trail is great for hikers who are looking for a little bit of a challenge but don’t want to be hiking all day. Once you reach the summit, take a seat and breathe in the fresh Appalachian air. It doesn’t get more beautiful than this.

Cone Manor to Bass Lake — This longer trek is located in Moses Cone Memorial Park on the Blue Ridge Parkway. The park has over 25 miles of trail systems for hikers to explore but hiking down to Bass Lake is a great way to experience the park. This wide gravel trail travels 6.2 miles in a loop taking you from Flat Top Manor down to the lake and back. This is a popular trail for families and you will likely encounter many people enjoying the nature of the Blue Ridge at this park.

Linville Falls — This moderate hike leads to a series of waterfalls that drop into Linville Gorge. The trail offers multiple overlooks of the falls and the gorge. Another incredibly popular spot in the High Country, Linville Gorge is often referred to as the Grand Canyon of the East. Venturing into Linville Gorge’s dramatic cliffs and plunging waterfalls is a one-ofa-kind experience.

Linville Falls is accessible via the Blue Ridge Parkway at milepost 316. Make sure to stop by the visitor center to explore other hikes in the area.

IT’S ALL ABOUT THE CLIMB!

For the more experienced hikers, here is a list of trails that have more difficult terrain and incline. These hikes will likely take all day to complete so make sure to come prepared with enough food, water and other supplies to sustain yourself.

Profile Trail to Calloway Peak —

This strenuous hike brings visitors up close and personal with Grandfather Mountain. The 8.5 mile out-and-back trail steadily climbs 2,162 feet in elevation. The hike begins with a scenic pathway crossing the Watauga River and gradually shifts to rockier terrain. The upper sections get much steeper and hikers should prepare for intense inclines as they enter a boulder forest. To get up to Calloway Peak hikers will have to carefully navigate climbing ladders to get on top of the boulders for grand views. Climbing down can be just as challenging. Make sure to plan your day accordingly and give yourself enough time for the ascent and descent.

The parking lot is located on the west side of Grandfather Mountain off Highway 105 and can be found via GPS.

Hawksbill Mountain Trail and Table Rock Trail — Hawksbill and Table Rock are both steep trails that overlook Linville Gorge. Hawksbill is only 2.5 miles but climbs about 682 feet in elevation. Table Rock is shorter at 1.4 miles. Both out-and-back trails have sharp elevation gain which can be challenging for people not familiar with steep inclines. Both trails have incredible 360-degree views of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

The trailheads are located a couple miles from each other. Driving from Highway 181, you will turn onto Gingercake road. You will drive this for about 3.5 miles until you see a small parking lot near the trailhead. This is a gravel road that twists and turns so remember to drive with caution.

Stone Mountain Loop Trail — Further out toward the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains is Stone Mountain State Park. Located in Alleghany and Wilkes counties, this park is named after the 600-foot granite dome that is a designated National Natural Landmark.

This 4.5-mile loop trail takes around two hours to complete. The trail weaves through beautiful meadows dotted with wildflowers and up the big rock face known as Stone Mountain. Spending a day in the foothills is a different way to experience the beauty of the High Country and this trail will show you it all.

No matter what trail you choose, remember to enjoy it. The High Country is a special place with a rich history and important culture. Please remember, you know yourself and your physical limits best. Take that into consideration when choosing where to spend time outside this summer. For more information and tips on hiking visit www.nps.gov/articles/ hiking-safety.htm.