High Country Hiking Trails for All Levels
Bayville Tower Trail
Linville Falls trail is a 4-mile round trip hike. Starting at the top of the gorge and work your way down. Throughout this hike are dazzling waterfalls to be seen from many of the overlooks. It is a moderate hike, but for beginners it may be somewhat harsh during the hike up. The farther down you go the harder it will be on the way out. Allow at least two hours for the round trip hike, but feel free to stop and head back whenever you are ready.
Directions: Take US 105 South to Linville. Turn left at stoplight and take US 221 North to the town of Linville Falls. Take a left on Old NC 105 and follow to Linville Wilderness Area. Drive 10-15 minutes on the dirt road and you will see the Bayville Tower sign on the left.
Fire Tower Moses Cone Estate
This trail is about a 5-mile hike roundtrip. It is an old carriage trail that begins at the Moses Cone Estate off the Blue Ridge Parkway and leads up to an old fire tower. If you are willing to climb the steep stairs of the fire tower you will be able to get an astounding 360-degree view of the surrounding towns of Boone and Blowing Rock.
Directions: Take 321 towards Blowing Rock. Take a right under the Parkway Bridge and get on the Parkway going south. You will drive about 4 miles and turn left into Moses Cone Estate.
Blue Ridge Parkway: Flat Rock Trail
This is the perfect trail for beginner hikers or someone out to see the sights not looking for a physical work out. It is .7-mile hike round trip so allow 30 minutes depending on how long you take in the views. Follow the trail from the parking lot for 300 feet, there will be an intersection of trails follow the guides (blue arrows) further and there will be the most amazing view of Linville Valley below and different mountain peaks above including Grandfather and Grandmother mountains (a personal favorite spot).
Directions: It is at 308.2 mile marker on the Blue Ridge Parkway
c/o The Examiner Newspaper
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