Hikes and Outings

Favorite hikes and other outings in the Area

	Features	Distance / Travel Time	Length	Difficulty	Map Links	Notes
In the Neighborhood
Greenfork Greenway		0 miles	3 miles	1		1st section of trail that will eventually go from Blowing Rock to Boone. Currently two 1 mile sections are completed that can be reached on foot by walking 1/2 mile down Middle Fork Rd. to light at Tweetsie. Cross over highway to Tweetsie parking area for paved trail runs beside river and then crosses under 321 at Mystery Hill to a cute little park with picnic tables and swimming hole. A new ~2 mile section is accessible by going thru gas station and picking up trail on this side of river. This section goes thru the woods, passes by Blue Deer ice cream and continues on to Niley Cook Rd.
Blue Ridge Conservancy Trail		2 miles	2.2 miles / 4 minutes	2		Nice trail that wanders through woods and has nice views of Grandfather Mountain (thru trees so limited in summer).
Blowing Rock
Glen Burney Trail		4.7 miles / 11 min	2.3 miles down and back	2		Warning: We have stopped recommending this hike even though it's frequently mentioned (mostly because it starts near the Blowing Rock town park) because people regularly get injured on it. The rocks above the falls slope off and are often slick and people or pets fall off every few years. Besides that, it's really not all that great a hike. There's no views and it's down in a steep valley that doesn't get much breezes.
China Creek (Kirby's) Trail		5.6 miles / 12 min	2-7 miles down and back or loop	4		Through old-growth forest. Drops ~1900' vertical. Lynnwood's mother Kirby helped make this trail happen and there's a informative sign at the trailhead dedicating it to her.
Cones Estate
Flat Top / Fire Tower		5.1 miles / 10 min	4.8 miles up and back	3		Longist hike but easy grade. Those who make it up to the fire tower are rewarded with possibly the best 360º view of the high country! Shorter hike just up to the Cones graves is a more casual stroll with great views and picnic spot. On a clear day, you can see the skyscrapers of Charlotte peeking over the horizon.
Bass Lake		5.2 miles /12 min	.9 miles loop	1		The perfect evening stroll. Keep a look out for beavers.
Bass Lake & The Maze		6 miles / 12 min	3.8 mile loop	2		Includes Bass Lake but also longer un-crowded walk through woods
Rich Mountain		6 miles / 12 min	6.3 mile loop	2		Steady walk up carriage-trail through pasture and mature forest to peak with beautiful view of Grandfather Mountain.
Camp Catawba		3.2 miles / 7 min	1-6 miles	1-2		Least traveled corner of Cones Estate and closest access to Cones Estate trail network from Middle Fork. Rarely see people on this trail, even in the busiest seasons. No general maps available but we can give directions.
Price Park
Green Knob Loop		7.0 miles / 13 min	2.2 mi loop	2		Loop takes you through variety of high-country settings from deep forest and stream to high meadows.
Boone Fork		7.7 miles / 14 min	5.2 mi loop	3		Popular, moderately strenuous that features lots of cascades, large flat rocks and pools perfect for picnics and refreshing dip on a hot day. A side trail leads to Hebron Falls, one of the most beautiful and impressive cascades in the high country.
Price Lake Loop		8.2 miles / 15 min	2.3 mile loop	1		Wonderful, mostly flat and accessible walk around the lake. Also see boat rental information for paddling on Price Lake.
Hebron Falls		9.1 miles / 21 min	1.9 mile loop	3		Spectacular cascade through massive boulders. Requires some rock scrambling. Even though it gets fair number of visitors (particularly on weekends), it's plenty large enough to find your own rock to chill out on and sun or read or just take in the beauty.
Grandfather Mountain
Beacon Heights		17.2 miles / 29 min	.6 mile up and back	1
Stack Rock & Linn Cove Viaduct		16.2 miles / 27 min	3.4 mi up and back	2		Less-visited trail with interesting rocks and great views.
Profile Trail		16.1 miles / 30 min	7.1 miles up and back	4		The trail is work of art with sections paved with car-sized boulders set in place with all-human power. Be sure to taste the water at Shanty Spring (at 3.2 miles) which comes out of ground at refreshing 49º.
Boone
Boone Greenway Park		3.5 miles / 9 min	varies	1-2	Boone Greeway	In-town park but suprisingly wild. Lots of activity. Popular for jogging, skating, biking, dog-walking. A number of longer, less traveled side-trails.
Rocky Knob Park		6.7 miles / 16 min	varies	varies		Includes mountain bike trails for all ages.
North of Boone
Elk Knob State Park		15.4 miles / 31 min	3.8 miles up and back	3	Elk Knob	Great views! About 15 miles north of Boone.
Old Orchard Creek Blueberry Farm		42.3 miles / 1 hr 8 min	N/A	N/A	Website	Wonderful you-pick blueberry farm. Typically ripe during July.

Boat Rentals At Price Lake

• Price Lake Boat Rentals - Rent kayak or canoe and paddle around Price Lake. ~15 minutes drive.

Fishing

• Fishing around Blowing Rock
• NC High Country Public Fishing Locations
• Explore Boone Fishing Guide - Directory of fishing guides, gear purveyors, and popular fishing spots.
• Grandfather Trout Farm & Gem Mining - The answer to the question our son asked when he about six and starting to fish: "Is there a place we can go fishing where you're always lucky?"

Horseback Riding

• Dutch Creek Trails - A popular trail ride tours company in Sugar Grove (~30 minutes drive)
• Horseback Riding in the High Country - Listing of other stables.