A Grandfather Mountain & Linville Falls Day Journey From Boone [Itinerary]

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Once you go to Boone, you’ll discover a lot of the high points of interest are literally positioned exterior town – essentially the most well-known of that are Grandfather Mountain and Linville Falls. Thankfully, these well-liked points of interest are simply accessible as they’re each positioned on the Blue Ridge Parkway in North Carolina, a scenic drive runs by means of Excessive Nation.

The Excessive Nation area is all about pure magnificence. It’s within the identify, “excessive” nation, so you possibly can remember to discover mountain vistas, excessive elevation forests, and scenic commentary decks at each flip, however you’d be remiss to go to Boone and never dedicate a complete day to exploring Grandfather Mountain and Linville Falls!

It’s value getting up early to expertise a full-day of the numerous lovely viewpoints, hikes, and roadside waterfalls.

If you wish to tick off these two landmarks, comply with our itinerary under. This expertise took a full-day and we returned to our Boone cabin simply after sundown.

It was sufficient time for a well-rounded Blue Ridge Parkway expertise that included improbable hikes (quick and longer), time to soak up the views, a restful lunch, and a cheerful wine tasting cheers to the day.

Grandfather Mountain and Linville Falls Itinerary

We didn’t get time for any pullover viewpoints alongside the parkway, however we acquired loads of views at each Tough Ridge Overlook and Grandfather Mountain.

There’s a lot extra you could possibly add to this one-day street journey alongside the parkway, however I believe it could impression the expertise. Much less is commonly extra.

The 2 points of interest are solely a 30-minute drive from one another, however in addition they characteristic a wide range of actions for all ages and health ranges and require loads of time to go to.

Right here is an interactive map which exhibits you the route we took and every cease.

8:00am: Drive the Blue Ridge Parkway

Go away Boone as early as you possibly can and drive onto The Blue Ridge Parkway, referred to as “America’s favourite drive,” a spectacular street journey winding by means of the North Carolina mountains.

The Blue Ridge Parkway begins at Nice Smoky Mountains Nationwide Park in North Carolina and ends at Shenandoah Nationwide Park in Virginia, working by means of the Blue Ridge Mountains alongside the Appalachian Path.

The Parkway really began within the NC Excessive Nation at Cumberland Knob in 1935 and the opening of the Linn Cove Viaduct in 1987 accomplished it.

The Excessive Nation has about 23 p.c of its 469-mile size. Many individuals would say it’s much more lovely by means of this part than it’s within the different elements.

It actually has a number of of the preferred points of interest on the Blue Ridge.

The views are nice all through, however there are some notably beautiful stops alongside this scenic drive which you shouldn’t miss!

We caught an exquisite sundown on our drive again to Boone on the Parkway.

8:30am: Hike the Tough Ridge Path (Milepost 302.8)

The Tough Ridge Path is a simple 1.5-mile return hike with an elevation acquire of 480 ft.

It takes you to essentially the most spectacular views of Grandfather Mountain, the parkway, and the Pisgah Nationwide Forest ridges under.

Simply earlier than the Linn Cove Viaduct, you’ll see the Tough Ridge Overlook car parking zone on the right-hand facet of the street.

Take the path from right here and veer left on the Tanawha Path (which the Tough Ridge is a part of).

It’s going to take you to a boardwalk the place you possibly can stroll onto a rock for nice photographs and views of Grandfather Mountain and the Linn Cove Viaduct.

Maintain strolling a little bit additional previous the boardwalk and also you’ll see this most well-known rock the place you possibly can sit and dangle over the valley under.

The photograph is deceiving as there’s solely a brief drop under to a ledge.

When you couldn’t damage your self too unhealthy if you happen to fell (you continue to might) it’s nonetheless a little bit unnerving dangling over house like that.

However boy what lovely views and a photograph alternative.

The path ends a little bit additional as much as the Tough Ridge Summit (4,773 ft).

Go early to beat the crowds. We arrived round 8:30am – 9:00am.

There was just one different individual on the path once we went. Sundown is supposed to be beautiful right here however be ready for crowds.

There can be much less individuals within the colder months, however the view can be a little bit uninteresting and brown (however nonetheless nice).

Permit for about an hour on this hike, which gives you time for photographs and to benefit from the view.

9:30am: Marvel on the Linn Cove Viaduct (Milepost 304.4)

The Linn Cove Viaduct, between Tough Ridge and Grandfather Mountain, is an iconic cease on the Blue Ridge Parkway.

This bridge-like construction jutting out of the facet of the mountain is an engineering marvel.

It was constructed to protect the gorgeous surroundings of Grandfather Mountain whereas enabling freeway site visitors to proceed alongside the parkway.

A pull-off on the left earlier than you get there leads from the north with a little bit strolling path on the opposite facet of the guard rail to a lookout space with the proper vantage level of the viaduct.

The trail is extensive sufficient for strolling and the drop off not too excessive, however nonetheless be cautious and watch kids. Do NOT stroll on the street!

You can too cease in on the Customer Middle on the southern facet to study extra in regards to the viaduct.

10:00am: Discover Grandfather Mountain (Milepost 305)

You’ve been gazing all of it morning in your quick hike and viaduct adventures, now it’s time to flip the view from atop Grandfather Mountain.

Grandfather Mountain is among the highest peaks within the Blue Ridge Mountain ranges. It’s an iconic factor to do in North Carolina.

The 300-million-year-old peaks stand 6,000 toes above sea degree, supplying you with beautiful 360-degree views over the Appalachian Mountain ranges.

It’s a pristine place for interacting with nature and absorbing some peace and serenity.

One-third of the mountain is a privately owned nonprofit nature protect that operates as a paid scenic journey attraction.

The opposite two thirds of the wild and undeveloped sections of Grandfather Mountain are owned by the state of North Carolina.

The Grandfather Mountain state park has miles of backcountry mountaineering trails!

In November of 1992, the United Nations added Grandfather Mountain to its worldwide community of Biosphere Reserves.

Grandfather is exclusive as a result of in lower than 5,000 acres there’s habitat for 16 distinct ecological communities and 72 uncommon or endangered species.

Grandfather Mountain is a paid attraction. Tickets are solely out there by means of on-line reservations, often 2-3 weeks prematurely.

Admission tickets embody the Swinging Bridge, Nature Museum, mountaineering trails, wildlife habitats and extra. See charges right here. 

Drive slowly as much as the highest whilst you hearken to the CD/USB audio (given on the entrance) the place you possibly can study extra about Grandfather Mountain and the assorted stops alongside the winding street to the highest.

I discovered the commentary glorious. I beloved this distinctive method of studying extra about Grandfather Mountain as you slowly drove up.

Overlooks embody Half Moon Overlook, Cliffside Overlook and Sheer Bluff.

10:15am: Sphinx and Break up Rocks

One of many first stops on the drive as much as the height are the Sphinx and Break up Rocks proper on the sting of the street.

Each are regarded as over 640 million years previous and Sphinx Rock weighs greater than 4,000 tons. 

Break up Rock has an enormous crack in it that grew to its present measurement after water seeped in by means of a small crack and cut up it. It’s a very good place to snap just a few household photographs and portraits.

10.30am: Go to the Grandfather Mountain Nature Museum 

The Grandfather Mountain Nature Museum homes greater than two dozen academic reveals outlining the pure historical past of Grandfather Mountain and the encircling area.

It contains gems and minerals native to the area, tales of early explorers and native birdlife.

Take your decide from scenic overlooks, hikes, nature museums, and picnic tables.

11:15am: Cliffside Overlook: Forrest Gump Curve

A cease to not miss on the scenic drive as much as Grandfather Mountain summit is the well-known Forrest Gump Curve.

This steep hairpin curve part is the place he ran with a number of of his followers within the film.

Pull over on the Cliffside car parking zone on the map. From right here you’ll get this nice birds eye view of Forrest Gump Curve. We stopped right here on the way in which again down. There’s additionally a picnic space right here. 

Enjoyable Reality: It was Tom Hanks’ brother who ran the scenes. He was used as his physique double in a lot of the working scenes within the film.

Tom himself determined to return for the filming as he wished to see Grandfather Mountain. Employees didn’t even notice they had been speaking to him!

11:30am: Stroll the Mile Excessive Swinging Bridge on Grandfather Mountain

The preferred factor to do on Grandfather Mountain, particularly if quick on time, is the Mile Excessive Swinging Bridge, which connects two peaks at one mile above sea degree.

Although it’s a mile up, this 228-foot suspension bridge really solely spans an 80-foot chasm. 

As it’s now fabricated from galvanized metal and strengthened with cables and is derived, it doesn’t swing prefer it used to, as an alternative tends to sing with the whistling wind. It has railings on the perimeters to make sure security!

It’s value it, even in case you are afraid of heights. 

The 360 diploma views from listed below are unbelievable. As soon as throughout the bridge, proceed out on the rock cliffs for spectacular views atop Linville Peak, elevation 5,305 toes. It may possibly get busy right here so go sluggish and look ahead to sharp drop offs. 

From the highest parking space, take just a few flights of steps or trip the elevator to a brief path.

I didn’t notice till it was too late, however you possibly can park within the backside car parking zone (Black Rock Parking Space), and take a path from there as much as the Swinging Bridge, which is about half a mile a technique.

We might have time for that and I do know I might have loved it. 

12:00pm Lunch: The Tin Trout

Because it was colder, a picnic lunch was not as engaging for us. We’re additionally horrible at planning these items prematurely.

So if you happen to don’t pack a picnic to take pleasure in at Grandfather Mountain, you’ll should detour off the Blue Ridge Parkway to discover a place to eat.

In any other case you possibly can drive straight all the way down to Linville Fall.

Linville is the closest city to Grandfather Mountain (3 miles) so that you’ll discover just a few choices there. 

We randomly stumbled upon the Tin Trout, positioned a little bit previous Linville, and nonetheless on the way in which to Linville Falls.

We found a comfortable homestyle surroundings with heat Southern service and seasonal artistic farm to desk meals.  

As you possibly can think about, trout is the star characteristic of the menu in dishes comparable to smoked trout dip, salad, platter, or carbonara. We took our grilled trout with a facet of scrumptious mash and brussel sprouts!

You’ll additionally discover different southern dishes like rooster and waffles, Shrimp Po Boy, fried rooster, shrimp and grits, cornbread and burgers.

1:30pm: Hike to Linville Falls (Milepost 316)

Now, let’s comply with the Linville River from its starting level excessive on Grandfather Mountain because it flows two thousand toes all the way down to kind a two-tiered cascading falls at Linville Falls, earlier than dropping 90 toes into the gorgeous, forested Linville Gorge.

Linville Gorge is affectionately referred to as the Grand Canyon of the Southern Appalachians, and ends at Lake James and the Catawba River.

You’ll be able to see why it’s referred to as “Eeseeoh” or “River of Cliffs” in Cherokee and is among the star points of interest of the Blue Ridge Parkway.

Since we’ve seen some beautiful waterfalls within the US (and the world i.e., Victoria Falls), it’s arduous for us to be wowed by them, however we beloved Linville Falls and agree it’s one among North Carolina’s bucket checklist objects.

I’d particularly like to return in the summertime to see it surrounded by the luxurious forest panorama. 

Linville Falls is a part of the Linville Gorge Wilderness Space, a well-liked space of hikers and rock climbers. 

Our expertise mountaineering to Linville Falls

The Linville Falls overlooks might be reached alongside two trails that lead from the Linville Falls Guests Middle, that go to 5 totally different overlooks. You may simply hike one path there, and the opposite again, and make it right into a spherical journey hike.

Linville Falls is greater than only a “snap your I used to be right here” photograph, which I preferred about it. 

It’s a beautiful hike by means of the virgin hemlock forest combined with different bushes comparable to comparable to white pine, oaks, hickory, and birch. 

The predominant path is a 1.6-mile round-trip stroll taking you to 4 of the overlooks. Every presents a singular perspective of the Falls, and all value experiencing.

The first overlook is Higher Falls Overlook, which presents a singular perspective of the Higher Falls flowing by means of the slim canyon the place it disappears and plunges forty-five toes over the decrease falls. You’ll be able to see it in our Reel right here. 

The subsequent overlook is Chimney View, which was most likely my favourite as acquired absorb each the decrease and higher falls for a more in-depth look than the opposite viewpoints. 

The overlook is called for the chimney-like outcroppings positioned to the proper of the waterfall.  

Persevering with on you’ll attain Erwins View overlooks on the path finish. From right here, you’ll get a distant view of the higher and decrease falls and be capable to hike alongside the Erwins View Path.

Although I believe Chimney View is healthier, it’s nonetheless value strolling the additional bit up right here. It’s not that a lot additional. 

Close to right here can be the panoramic Linville Gorge View. Be ready for vivid daylight if you happen to go within the afternoon which made it arduous to see 

Don’t miss the Plunge Basin overlook which provides you an impressive view of the decrease falls and chimney view above.

The Plunge Basin path is to the left of the restroom block within the backside automobile park. You’ll see some stone stairs hiding within the forest.

Observe it by means of the forest till you come to the point of view. It branches off in a single half to go additional down the river. We didn’t take that path.

Surprisingly, nobody else was on this path, whereas the opposite one was fairly busy. A steep flight of stairs will take you to rock-walled perch above the falls. 

The point of view from right here was near the decrease falls and exquisite. You additionally acquired an amazing view as much as Chimney View outcroppings.

On this space can be the Linville Gorge Path, which you’ll be able to flip down from the Plunge Basin View junction, which takes you all the way down to the river. 

There’s additionally a gravel car parking zone midway as much as the Falls – not removed from the Decrease Falls Campground. GPS took us right here.

From right here we hiked as much as the Erwin’s View Overlooks, then again all the way down to the opposite overlooks, ending at Plunge Basin after which walked again as much as the automobile. 

It takes about an hour to hike the path out and again, however we stopped to take photographs, so I might say to set 1.5 hours apart to do that hike.

3:00pm: Wine Tasting at Linville Falls Vineyard

What a shock Linville Falls Vineyard was! We solely discovered about it once we drove previous a crowd of individuals sitting within the solar with attractive valley and mountain views.

We determined we’d return after our Linville Falls hike. It was the proper finish to a beautiful day spent exploring the Blue Ridge Parkway.

This household owned and operated 40-acre winery, vineyard, and farm sits in a fertile valley between hills within the North Carolina Blue Ridge Mountains. 

Cool nights, low humidity, and an elevation of three,200-3,400 ft permits the grapevines to thrive and ripen slowly into contemporary vibrant flavors. Varieties embody Seyval Blanc, Vidal Blanc, Noiret, Marquette, Petit Verdot, Marechal Foch, and their flagship grape, Riesling.

North Carolina isn’t sometimes recognized for wine, however it’s wineries like this that’s beginning to give it a label of “Place to look at for high quality wines”

It’s family-friendly (and pet-friendly) with an exquisite out of doors seating space overlooking the vines and the Christmas tree farm (which was a hive of exercise.) There’s a small pond with Adirondack chairs as properly.

We every selected a wine tasting flight and grabbed some cheese and crackers from the fridge. You might be welcome to carry your individual snacks they usually generally have meals vans. (And dwell music within the hotter months)

I beloved the Riesling and Chardonnay and I discovered their Brandy Barrel Aged Cabernet Sauvignon to be excellent and similar to one among my favourite Double Barrel Jacob’s Creek wines again in Australia (which you may get at Harris Teeter!)

5:00pm: Again to Boone through Blowing Rock

For those who really feel as much as it, you possibly can go by the Blowing Rock in your method again to Boone, which might make for the proper sundown viewpoint.

It’s going to take you about 45 minutes to drive to Blowing Rock from Linville Vineyard.

This outcropping of rock sits 4090 toes above John’s River Gorge, which has a mysterious prevailing wind all the time blowing over it.

Some individuals say that it’s been recognized to return thrown mild objects thrown over into the void.

There’s a Native American fantasy connected to this landmark. It tells of a courageous Cherokee torn between obligation and love for his maiden, who leapt from the Rock into the wilderness under.

She prayed every day till the Nice Spirit blew her lover again onto the rock through a gust of wind.

Since then, a perpetual wind has blown up over the rock from the valley.

It doesn’t take lengthy to go to. It’s simply the rock, just a few additional viewpoints, and a small mountaineering path. The views listed below are lovely and value seeing.

7:00pm: Dinner in Boone

Finish your day with dinner in Boone. One factor we beloved about our journey to Boone was how contemporary and natural the meals scene was.

There’s an actual emphasis on farm-to-table eating and good ol’ Southern hospitality.

Now we have a whole information on eating places and bars in Boone, so remember to give {that a} learn to search out someplace to eat.

Ideas For Visiting The Blue Ridge Parkway

• Fill your automobile with gas earlier than beginning, simply to make sure.
• For this journey, it may be finest to pack a picnic lunch as eating places are few and much between. Plus, if its busy chances are you’ll not get in or have an extended wait.
• The Parkway is windy with a pace restrict of 45mp, generally going as little as 25mph in busy areas. Go away sufficient time and drive slowly.
• There are numerous overlooks, which make pulling off the street simpler. There are additionally just a few passing zones.
• Parking is obtainable at trailheads and overlooks and you’ll park on the grassy shoulder of the street so long as you might be off the street and on agency floor.
• It’s all the time cooler on the parkway (as much as 10 levels) so costume accordingly and throw in a raincoat simply in case.
• The climate might be unpredictable in transitional seasons and winter snows can final for weeks. At all times do your analysis.

Extra Journey Ideas For The Blue Ridge Parkway

When you’re exploring the Blue Ridge Parkway, why not take a look at these different guides for locations on the scenic route:

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