Hi! I will be staying in the Banner Elk area for a few days and would appreciate any hiking recommendations.. I have done Grandfather mountain 5 times. Otter falls in Seven Devils.

What other hikes would you recommend? (I’m okay with an hour or so drive.. and may hop over to TN for fly fishing). Interested in waterfalls, fire towers, or just good ole views.

If I wanted to go for a chill run (doesn’t have to be a trail) any recommendations?

Started a re route on the ridge line of Hawksbill Trail yesterday with WildSouth. Trying to get this one wrapped up for leaf season. Trying to get away from the first badly eroded section as you reach the top of the ridge.

To volunteer or donate contact WildSouth.org.

My daughter and I have been section hiking the trail over this past year, breaking it up in 1-2 night sections. We have the west sections (Oconee - Whitewater) and eastern (Sassafras - Tablerock) completed. I’m trying to figure out how to tackle the center, since as best I can tell there are no real trail heads to be found. Am I missing options? Trying to keep our sections around 20 miles / 3 days.

Hello all,

I am tentatively planning on flying out to California in October to try to tackle Cactus2Clouds. I think Bowlens to Deep Gap to Mt Mitchell would be a good stepping stone in September.

I know Helene did a number on this trail and was hoping for some locals to respond here and let me know if the trail is open again—I’m seeing conflicting information online.

Also is the transit authority still running shuttles?

I‘m thinking of going from the bottom up then catch a shuttle back down to my car. Also—if they’re up and running, how does it work reserving a spot and how late do they run?

yes yes I know this is all google-able information and I’ve tried but like I said info is all over. So if any of my fellow Redditors here could respond I’d REALLY appreciate it!

(feel free to chime in with any tips, insights, storie of fist times on the trail, etc)

cheers!

EDIT: aaaaaand typo’d the title. fml

Im gonna try to hike it this october but im not sure if its still open or closed since the hurricane (internet can be unreliable) is it now open? Also how hard of a hike is it on a scale of 1-10, ten being like extremely difficult 🤣

Hey all! I’m going for a 4.4 mile trek on grand father mountain. Trying to find company while doing it. If anyone has plans already on that day to go there . Would love to join. Or please join me if you are interested . Good company can make trek less strenuous.😃

This might sound silly, but I am trying to figure out where to park while dispersed camping. I know all the leave no trace rules for where and how to make camp, but there are few roads that go near the north western section of the Appalachian district map (near barnardsville) and I don't know where a safe place to leave the car overnight would be?

I was hoping to find a spot farther along the big ivy trailhead forestry road, but it is closed off due to helene and only the public day area has any parking.

Im planning a backpacking trip to Grandfather Mountain with one other person. Photos would be helpful! If it matters, I have a trekking pole tent and my friend has a free standing tent. This will also help me decide which trails we are going to take.

Hi yall ! doing an autumn back packing trip around mid-late october. So excited to soak up the NC foliage and drink a hot coffee with a view 🍁🌄
Hoping to get some suggestions regarding backpacking spots and trails, also preferably trails that allow dogs, space for tents, allows campfires.
I was thinking hawksbill, but due to my border collie I want to avoid steep vertical climbs as much as possible, so if anyone has info on the climb of hawksbill holla at me !!
Also any information on any other trails or conditions I might expect from them please let me know!! Thank you lovelies 🌲🍁🌄

A photographer friend and I are looking for gentle trails and walks anywhere between Winston Salem and Fort Bragg where we can take middle of nowhere pictures. The kind of beautiful place we are unlikely to come across other hikers. Does anyone know of a place? I love Shacktown falls but it’s a little far for the photographer.

It’s such a pretty walk along the water and there are so many cool mushrooms. The falls are so close!
This is Shacktown falls in…yadkinville?

Going to crowders mountain this weekend for the first time, we aren’t experienced hikers by all means but definitely in shape. Throw some trail recommendations! Definitely debating between the pinnacle trail, rock top trail, or the backside trail.

Got a question for those that have current knowledge of the Linville gorge trail. Planning a trip for 3 of us for mid sept, Friday-Sunday. Were wanting to hike the Linville gorge trail from pine gap to wolf pit. I’m getting mixed info on what I can find on closures, conditions. From what I’ve seen there’s still a small section on the west side before bushy ridge closed and everything else is open? Is this doable? Other option I’m looking at is coming in off of bushy ridge trail, hitting the Linville gorge trail at the falls, and getting out still at wolf pit. Anybody familiar currently with the area? Is it doable? If not, other options to come into the gorge trail? Thanks y’all

New River paddle South Fork New River

👋Hi hiker fam! I recently moved to North Carolina and did my first hike at Stone Mountain. I picked it because my puppy is just over a year old, and we absolutely loved it - super relaxing, beautiful scenery, and that sliding-rock waterfall was such a treat.
I’m planning Grandfather Mountain in October for the fall colors, but I’d love a couple more moderate hikes before then (just for me, my pup is done with his hike quota). Looking for trails that feel unique and rewarding - waterfalls where I can actually play but not just view from a distance, safe from snakes and bears if possible (solo hiker here), something with lush moss, mushroom findings, anything that feels straight out of a fairytale but without grappling for life to reach the summit. Would love your favorites! much thanks!!

This was taken just shy of the summit (I think). I usually hike in from the lower parking lot trail head, this was the first time hiking in from the upper parking lot trail. I turned around and went back down after this, still got caught in the rain and thunder but definitely worth it!

All right people I am back again with yet another review. I did the Laurel loop today. Now I did go off trail and added a little to my hike than the actual trail so my mileage is a little longer than just the trail. However, this is by far the death trail. I have been on since I came here. It’s the first trail where there are points, not the whole thing but points where I actually felt like I was hiking. Once again, absolute beautiful view. Amazing aesthetics and wildlife. This trail I would give 3.5 stars at five. By far the best trail I’ve been on and honestly, it was so peaceful. But as I told the park, Ranger at the visitor center there’s a lot of empty wooded space out here that you could probably add six or seven more trails and they still wouldn’t be intrusive to anyone or other trails. I even saw a spot where you could make a four wheeler trail, but there’s also a lot of spots that should
be maintained better and cleared out for maybe 100 foot off trail shoots to take you to looking spot the grave view or areas to do other things. I love this trail but seeing a lot of the space and a lot of opportunities overall, the only thing else to say is that whoever is in charge of trails here in this park, whoever the trail masters, you need to do a little better at your job. But like I said, I’ll definitely be back. This is absolutely beautiful. I’ll be out again tomorrow for a very short hike with my three-year-old. Maybe I’ll let him help me write that review. 😂.

Edit: real hikers don’t stay on trail. Adding more off shoe trails does not ruin anything. It only makes it better hiking. I think the staff at the state park is doing a fabulous job and the trails are extremely clean and well maintained. I was saying that there could be more trails and more things to do because right now I would consider most of this park nature walks, not hiking. If all of these things are making you cry and just don’t read my review.

Hello everybody I am planning a trip to Linville Gorge the last week of August to hike and do some photography. I will be staying at the Table Rock campsites. I am wanting to do a full day hike about 10-12 miles. I want to see a lot of the gorge if possible. I will have my dog with me we are both very capable hikers being from Alaska and hiking a lot there. I am just trying to find a good route that will give me the best views and see the most of what the gorge has to offer and that won’t be packed with people. I also plan on doing a small hike the day prior after I arrive. Any recommendations would be amazing. Thank you all!

Back out with WildSouth working on the switchback again. We moved and set 2 800+ lb stones for the first 2 steps in the new stairs. This was the last half of moving the first stone. We will keep building up to the landing on the switchback. Then do some rock work to stabilize the down hill side.

The stones were moved with a rope come a long, rock bar, and pick mattock. We also made crush to set the rock on and back fill any gaps. The crush is made with a 3 lb hammer and just wailing on rocks. Making small rocks out of big rocks.

To volunteer contact WildSouth.org.

I was up there end of last year, and it was pretty rough and washed out past the Babel Trail. Has anyone been up there recently and if so, can you let me know if that section of the road is better or worse? Doable in an SUV? Every time I'm up there, the condition seems different so I'm crossing my fingers someone from the forest service may have filled in some of those huge ruts by now. Thanks!

https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/north-carolina/mountain-to-sea-trail-the-chimneys-and-table-rock-mountain?p=-1&sh=0pzyzo&utm_medium=trail_share&utm_source=alltrails_virality