Grandfather Mountain
Grandfather Mountain is both the highest mountain in the entire Blue Ridge and the most spectacular. A substantial part of Grandfather's summit ridge is wide-open rocky pinnacles with an incredibly steep and rough trail winding its way over the rocks, often with ladders. Rising 4500 feet above the valleys of the Piedmont to the east, the views from the crest are spectacular. It's not surprising that early explorer Andre Michaux thought he had scaled the highest mountain in North America after Grandfather's first ascent in 1794.
Grandfather Mountain is privately owned, and has considerable tourist development at its southwest end. A short toll road leads to a visitor center, museum, and a pedestrian suspension bridge spanning a rocky gap between two low rocky pinnacles. A network of trails leads from this tourist-trap zoo and from other trailheads (which avoid having to pay to use the toll road), but a hiking permit, avaialble for a small fee, is necessary for any hiking or camping.
How to Get There
The entrance to Grandfather Mountain is on the north side of US 221 between Linville and the Blue Ridge Parkway.
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| General |
The Ridge Trail is by far the most scenic and important. It leaves the visitor center/museum area and climbs northeast over the awesomely rugged Attic Window Peak (5949') and McRae Peak (5939'). The trail over these two peaks is one of the most rugged in the country, and is not recommended for those afraid of heights or rickety ladders scaling sheer cliffs. After this section Grandfather Mountain reverts to standard Southern Appalachian mode, namely a rounded, forested crest. Callaway Peak (5984', the highest summit of the mountain) has some views cleared through the trees nearby, but is still in the trees. There are some nice spots on the ridge further northwest, too, but the Attic Window/McRae area is still the highlight of any trip to Grandfather.
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| Targeted Activities |
Camping, Hiking, Mountaineering |
| Season Availability: |
All Year
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| Altitude: |
-1818 meters |
| Camping: |
Allowed in designated Camping Areas |
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