WEATHER

Hiking

TRAILS ON EVERY HIKER'S BUCKET LIST

In the Boone area, hikers can climb ladders to scale cliffs a mile above surrounding valleys to MacRae Peak at Grandfather Mountain, explore the wild canyon of the Linville Gorge Wilderness, follow the Appalachian Trail across Roan and Hump Mountains where waving grasses offer alpine vistas, and explore the Blue Ridge Parkway where entry-level hiking is at its best.

Several trails can be found just steps away from area accommodations. Boone's paved greenway trail follows the South Fork of the New River. Blowing Rock's Glen Burney Trail leaves quaint streets, plummets into a gorge, and follows waterfalls. Valle Crucis Community Park trails wander past wetlands.

Jump to: Guided Hikes or use the trail guides below to plan a self-guided adventure.

HIKE THE AREA'S TOP TRAILS:

Vibrant orange wildflowers can be seen on either side of a trail, where a couple poses for a selfie.

Elk Knob State Park

Elk Knob is one of a handful of geologically unique amphibolite peaks that rise... Read More

A beautiful view of a blue sky and tree-covered rolling Appalachian mountains can be seen between two white colonial style columns at Moses Cone Manor.

Moses Cone Carriage Trails

Moses H. Cone Memorial Park has over 25 miles of wide trails, planned... Read More

A trio of people walk along a gravel path surrounded by fall color.

Boone Greenway

This fully accessible trail is either paved or gravel surfaced and mostly flat.... Read More

Water cascades over a large boulder surrounded by trees and smaller rocks.

Glen Burney Trail

The route of the Glen Burney Trail is reputed to have been a Native American... Read More

A large sharply angled boulder with water cascading from the top has a family of four and a dog underneath it. All are looking up at the waterfall.

Otter Falls

Hike through a high-elevation forest to scenic Otter Falls in the beautiful Blue... Read More

A man in a green jacket hikes over rocky terrain on the side of a mountain with clouds below.

Grandfather Mountain

North Carolina's Grandfather Mountain contains some of the South's most... Read More

Bass Lake

A classic, handicapped-accessible hike or cross country ski tour around a... Read More

A group of people holding a green ribbon stand in front of an arched bridge leading to a green forest.

Middle Fork Greenway

A new trail in development will one day connect Boone and Blowing Rock by one... Read More

A dark blue lake surrounded by mountains and trees various shades of autumn.

Price Lake Trail

It's a memorable walk, in spring, summer or fall, when the water laps at the... Read More

Rhododendron blooms can be seen in front of a scenic mountain top overlooking the Roan Highlands.

Roan Mountain / Appalachian Trail

Roan Mountain is one of Eastern America's most scenic summits. During the... Read More

A stone stairway leads up a hillside lined with pink blooms. To the right of the hillside, in the distance a large brown and stone peak of a tree covered mountain can be seen.

Tanawha Trail

Hike the Blue Ridge Parkway's Tanawha Trail to awesome views on Grandfather... Read More

Waterfalls

Finding and photographing waterfalls is one of the most popular ways to soak up... Read More

Download our Hiking Adventure Guide Here

Temporary Trail Closures in 2025:

Profile Trail (Grandfather Mountain State Park - Attraction trails are open)
Backcountry Trail (Elk Knob State Park)
Linville Falls (Blue Ridge Parkway)
Cascade Falls (Blue Ridge Parkway)
Boone Fork Trail (Blue Ridge Parkway)
Crabtree Falls (Blue Ridge Parkway)
Elk River Falls (Pisgah National Forest)
Mt. Mitchell State Park

Refer to the trail overviews linked above for the OPEN hiking trails in the area.

Guided Hiking:

Upcoming Guided Hikes & Outdoor Activities:

Jul · 10

Hiking

TRAILS ON EVERY HIKER'S BUCKET LIST

HIKE THE AREA'S TOP TRAILS:

Guided Hiking:

Customized trips for all comfort levels

Upcoming Guided Hikes & Outdoor Activities: