Plunge into Adventure

hike

Hiking is one of our favorite activities and there are scores of great ones within minutes. Some trails require you to fill out a free permit at the trailhead.

·       If you are experienced and looking for a challenge, we recommend the Profile Trail: 7 miles round-trip, quite steep in places. You can access it off of Hwy 105 near Tynecastle Shopping Center on your way to Banner Elk; the trail takes you up the backside of Grandfather Mountain. At the Grandfather Trail intersection, you can turn left to hit the highest peak in the area (Callaway Peak)…or go left down to the visitor’s center.

·       For shorter, easier hikes with maximum views, try the popular Rough Ridge Trail or Beacon Heights Trail, both located off the Blueridge Parkway near mile markers 303 and 305 respectively.

·       The Mountains to Sea Trail can also be accessed in many locations including Shulls Mill Road between Blowing Rock and Valle Crucis.

·       For a delightful casual walk, go to Bass Lake in Blowing Rock for a flat, one-mile loop suitable for baby strollers (fishing is allowed, but no bicycles or horses). Point your GPS to Bass Lake Loop Drive, Blowing Rock, NC 28605. If you get inspired, you can also take the 4-mile loop up to Moses Cone Manor and back.

bike

There is nothing quite like feeling the wind in your face as you fly down a mountain on your road bike or mountain bike. The High Country is a destination for both serious competitors as well as casual enthusiasts.

·       For road riding, there is little to beat the Blue Ridge Parkway. Traffic is minimal (except for holidays and leaf change), and drivers are usually courteous. My personal favorite stretch is the climb from Price Park Lake up to the Linn Cove Viaduct—and the scary fun zip back down: Mile Marker 296 to 305 with an elevation gain of 700 feet. But the number of scenic rides around here is endless.

·       Don’t forget mountain biking! Rocky Knob Mountain Bike Park is prime real estate, with trails designed specifically for bikes. Located at 285 Mountain Bike Way, Boone, NC 28607, the park is right off 421, just east of Boone. Lees McRae in Banner Elk has some fantastic trails to ride.

climb

Real rock climbing thrives in the High Country. For top-roping beginner routes, try Holloway Mountain while experienced “trad” climbers will appreciate the diversity and quality of rock in the Linville Gorge Wilderness Area. Obviously, climbing is an inherently dangerous sport that requires technical gear and training, so please climb within your ability.

·       Boulder-hopping is a super-fun and less technical way to enjoy the rock. Hebron Falls is a gorgeous place for this, located on the Boone Fork Trail. Park at the Price Park picnic area and hike about 1.5 miles, following signs to the falls.

·       For a family-friendly climbing experience, go to High Gravity Adventures at 215 Tweetsie Railroad Rd, Blowing Rock, NC 28605 (828-266-0176), between Boone and Blowing Rock. High Gravity has climbing towers, a 45-foot giant swing, and zip lines.

·      There is an indoor climbing wall at Center 45 (200 Den Mac Dr, Boone, NC 28607, 828-386-1550) and an outdoor climbing tower at Rock Dimensions at Footsloggers (131B Depot St, Boone, NC 28607, 828-265-3544).

·      For climbing combined with leadership development—especially for teams—check out Appalachian Mountain Leadership (www.amlnc.org, 603-667-6978). 

ski

The Appalachians are a winter magnet for skiing and snowboarding enthusiasts. The three closest resorts are Sugar Mountain (14 miles from here at 1009 Sugar Mountain Dr, Sugar Mountain, NC 28604); Beech Mountain (15 miles from here at 1007 Beech Mountain Pkwy, Beech Mountain, NC 28604); and Appalachian Ski Mountain (14 miles from here at 940 Ski Mountain Rd, Blowing Rock, NC 28605). Snow tubing also available!

·       Cross country skiing and snow-shoeing are also popular, particularly at Bass Lake / Cone Manor (Bass Lake Loop Drive, Blowing Rock, NC 28605). Skicountrysports.com has all the rentals you need, and there are many others to choose from too.

Zip

There’s nothing quite like the adrenaline shot of stepping off the platform in a harness, 50 feet above the ground, and hurtling above the trees as gravity pulls you down the mountain! Here are a few places to meet your need for speed…

·       Sky Valley Zip Tours at 634 Sky Ranch Rd, Blowing Rock, NC 28605 (855-475-9947).

·      High Gravity Adventures Zip Line & Aerial Park at 215 Tweetsie Railroad Rd, Blowing Rock, NC 28605 (828-266-0176).

·      Off the Grid Mountain Adventures at 358 Shawneehaw Ave S, Banner Elk, NC 28604 (828-263-6142).

raft

Whitewater rafting and kayaking is all within striking distance in the High Country. Here are some of the closest options: River and Earth Adventures (1655 NC-105, Boone, NC 28607, 866-411-7238), Wahoo’s Adventures (3385 US-321, Blowing Rock, NC 28605, 828-262-5774), and High Mountain Expeditions (3149 Tynecastle Highway, Suite B, Banner Elk, NC 28604, 828-898-9786).

cave

For an out-of-this-world adventure, try going under the earth into the natural caverns that surround this area: River and Earth Adventures (1655 NC-105, Boone, NC 28607, 866-411-7238), High Mountain Expeditions (3149 Tynecastle Highway, Suite B, Banner Elk, NC 28604, 828-898-9786), and Rock Dimensions (131B Depot St, Boone, NC 28607, 828-265-3544).

Linville Caverns lies about 30 miles away, but it’s a dazzling tour through limestone caves, a fun outing for the day if you like dark places! 19929 US-221, Marion, NC 28752 (800-419-0540).

fish

The Watauga River is one of the premier fly-fishing destinations in the High Country—and our Briar Patch property is only a few yards from it! I’m afraid we don’t know much personally, but the experts are right around the corner:

·      Watauga River Fly Shop is located 7 miles away at 5712 NC Highway 105 South, Vilas, NC 28692 (828-963-5463).

·      Foscoe Fishing Company is 10 miles away at 8857 NC-105, Boone, NC 28607 (828-963-6556).