Grandfather Mountain, Nature on a Whole Different Level

Nature Walks & Hiking Trails

Trails are open, caution is advised.

Grandfather Mountain State Park backcountry trails are open, however, there are still many trees down and there is a significant amount of snow and ice on the trails. Please use caution when hiking the trails keeping in mind that there may be overhead hazards from hanging tree limbs as well as hazards on the trail. Please dress appropriately for the weather and complete a permit which is available at the trailhead of the Profile Trail and on the Tanawha Trail just past Boone Fork.

Backcountry Hiking - Trail Descriptions:
East Side Trails

There are two points for accessing East Side trails. Most hikers use the Boone Fork Parking Area at mile 299.9 on the Blue Ridge Parkway. The alternative is the Asutsi Trail which begins across from Serenity Farm on US 221-the only winter access when the Parkway is closed.

From Boone Fork or Serenity Farm parking areas, hikers follow the Tanawha Trail south to connect with the Nuwati and Daniel Boone Scout Trailheads. The Tanawha Trail winds easily along the mountainside parallel to the Parkway. Built and maintained by the US Park Service, no fee is charged for the Tanawha Trail's use and no camping is allowed along its length. There is a charge, however, for use of the Nuwati and Daniel Boone Scout Trails (built and maintained by Grandfather Mountain).

Click on the name of a trail for a more detailed description.

Trail name Rating Blaze Length (miles)
Daniel Boone Scout Trail Moderately strenuous
with cables and ladders		 White-Blazed 3 mi.(4.8 km)
from trailhead
Nuwati Trail Easy but rocky Blue-Blazed 1.2 mi. (1.9 km)
Cragway Trail Rocky, strenuous Orange-Blazed 1.0 mi. (1.6 km)
Asutsi Trail Easy Hiking No blaze 0.4 mi. (0.6 km)

Daniel Boone Scout Trail
Ascending about 2,000 feet over 3 miles, this hike begins at the Tanawha Trail and climbs to the summit of Calloway Peak (5,964'), the highest point in the Blue Ridge Mountain Range. About half way up, at Flat Rock View, hikers reach the junction of Cragway Trail.

The upper half of the Boone Trail is rough-going but spiced with some exquisite views, including one of Price Park and one of the Linn Cove Viaduct. Just before Calloway Peak, in-place ladders and cables help hikers through steep sections. (Closest permit outlet: Grandfather Mountain Country Store at the junction of US 221 and the Holloway Mountain road.)

Daniel Boone Campsite and Cragway junction 1.3 mi (2.1 km) 2 hrs. Round trip
Briar Patch Campsite 2.1 mi (3.4 km)  
Hi-Balsam Shelter 2.7 mi (4.3 km)  
Raven's Roost Campsite 2.8 mi (4.5 km)  
Calloway Peak 3.0 mi (4.8 km) 4.5 hrs. Round trip


Nuwati Trail
This trail, meaning "medicine" in the Cherokee language, follows the print of an old logging road 1.2 miles. It's an easy but rocky hike, ending at Storyteller's Rock and a truly spectacular view of an isolated valley some geologists say was carved by a glacier. Along the way, there are stream crossings, a solitary stand of Quaking Aspens, and reminders of logging days gone by.

Nuwati Spring 0.2 mi (0.3 km)
Nuwati-Cragway Jct. 0.6 mi (1.0 km)
Streamside Campsite 0.7 mi (1.2 km)
Storyteller's Rock Campsite and Boone Bowl View 1.2 mi (1.9 km)
Refuge Campsite 1.4 mi (2.3 km)


Cragway Trail
A steep, strenuous hike with lovely vistas. Boulders and crags jut out here and there opening up elevated (and elevating) views of the Boone Fork Bowl. This trail links Nuwati and Boone Trails and makes a fine loop-hike, passing through rhododendron and blueberry thickets. A hiking option coming down the Boone Trail when returning to cars is to follow Cragway Trail to the Nuwati.

Top Crag 0.4 mi (0.6 km)
Flat Rock View and junction with Boone Scout Trail 1.0 mi (1.6 km)

Asutsi Trail

Asutsi means "bridge" in the Cherokee language. This short, easy trail (0.4 miles) links Serenity Farm on US 221 and the Tanawha Trail, providing alternative access to Nuwati and Boone Trails. Winter access to the East Side Trails.
Photos, Virtual Tours & More… Get the Monthly Newsletter Tell Us About Your Experience Send an E-card to a Friend
 
What People Say…

"The hike from Daniel Boone Scout Trail to the Swinging Bridge was amazing. I have hiked all over the U.S and this is now one of my favorite hike. I recommend the Grandfather Trail only for seasoned hikers who are in decent shape and not afraid of heights. The hike was spectacular. We were on the trail nine and a half hours, so if you decide to hike get an early start. I was very sore the next day! "

Christie