Grandfather Mountain Nature Park & The Grandfather Mountain Trail - Linville, NC
"Absorb what's around you, and recognize how different it is from where you're from. We like to say, 'Wonders never cease.' " - Jesse Pope, president and executive director of the Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation
“The mind will not always remember exactly what happened, but the heart will always remember the feeling.” - Brigitte Nicole
The Story -
On the Monday following New Year’s Day, Ginger and I traveled to Grandfather Mountain Nature Park in Linville, North Carolina for an amazing day of hiking and adventure. Our day started with a strenuous and technical six-mile hike on a combination of trails from the parking lot to Calloway Gap, then a walk across the Mile High Swinging Bridge, followed by a visit to the wildlife animal habitats to see cougars, bears, bald eagles, and elk before ending our day with a tour of the new state-of-the-art Wilson Center for Nature Discovery. Whew, what a fabulous day at an incredible place!
Grandfather Mountain -
Grandfather Mountain has a rich history and is nationally known for its beauty, its many diverse ecological zones due to its steep ascent, and its numerous peaks with scenic overlooks. Geologists claim that Grandfather Mountain is one of the oldest mountains on Earth, estimated to be over 300 million years old, with certain rock formations dating back 1.2 billion years.
One of the most iconic features of Grandfather Mountain is its Mile High Swinging Bridge, which spans an eighty-foot chasm at an elevation of 5,280 feet. The bridge offers breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains and valleys and is a popular spot for both tourists and locals alike. In addition to the Mile High Swinging Bridge, the park also boasts several hiking trails of varying difficulty levels and is home to a number of educational exhibits and programs including a nature museum as well as a wildlife habitat area.
Since Grandfather Mountain is a privately-owned, non-profit nature preserve, it is not funded by the government or any other organization. Instead, it relies on the support of visitors to help fund its conservation efforts and maintain the mountain for future generations. Therefore, Grandfather Mountain charges an entry fee to access the park. The cost of admission varies depending on the time of year and these prices include access to all of the park's attractions.
Chutes and Ladders -
After paying the entrance fee at the base of Grandfather Mountain, we were given a map and a CD to play in our car for the fifteen-minute ride up the mountain to the parking area. (Yes, I have a CD player in my car, and no, I don’t have a cassette 😂) The terrific CD shared a lot of information about the Park’s history, features, and amenities and was a wonderful surprise for our ride up the mountain. We started our hike on the Grandfather Mountain Extention Trail, a short and moderate hike with several switchbacks that was an excellent warm-up for what was to come, the very difficult Grandfather Mountain Trail.
The glorious Grandfather Mountain Trail takes you to Grandfather Mountain’s three magnificent peaks: MacRae Peak, Attic Window Peak, and Calloway Peak. All three are within 1.5 miles of each other, yet this is an in-and-out trail, so you can choose to turn back at any point. Due to our time constraints, we opted to turn around at Calloway Gap instead of continuing to Calloway Peak. We visited Calloway Peak last year via the Profile Trail and wanted to make sure we had time to visit Grandfather Mountain’s other attractions. Our hike was somewhat muddy but fortunately, there was not any ice, which can be prevalent this time of year.
The Grandfather Mountain Trail is widely regarded as the most technical hike east of the Mississippi. The strenuous trail initially winds through sections of evergreens and a rhododendron forest before coming very rocky, rugged, and technical. We climbed numerous steep ladders, rock scrambled through a cave and over large boulders, and used multiple cables to climb the countless sheer and narrow rock faces. We stopped at MacRae’s Peak to have a snack, catch our breath, and enjoy the gorgeous views before continuing on to Attic Window Peak and Calloway Gap. On the way back, we took the rocky and uneven Underwood Trail which bypasses the ladder climbs and cables, yet was still steep, rocky, technical, and very difficult.
Spill The Tea -
The Grandfather Mountain Trail is not for everyone, and especially not for anyone that is afraid of heights or narrow ledges, has anxiety climbing steep ladders, is nervous about rock scrambling, or is generally in bad physical shape. It is very difficult for experienced hikers and even for those in great shape. And yet while the hike is physically demanding, it's well worth the effort if you accept the challenge. The scenery is breathtaking, and the sense of accomplishment you will feel after is unparalleled.
Wrap It Up -
Grandfather Mountain Nature Park is a beautiful and distinctive destination that offers almost something for everyone. The experiences and beauty of this unique destination are well worth the small cost to enter the park. From the hiking and the breathtaking views from atop the three peaks and swinging bridge to the diverse wildlife exhibit to the nature museum found at the park, there is always something new and exciting to discover. Whether you are an avid hiker, nature lover, or just looking for a peaceful place to escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life, Grandfather Mountain has something to offer. So don't let the cost deter you from visiting this amazing place - the memories and experiences you'll take away will be worth every penny.
Sassafras and Skinks