Tanawha Trail- +\- 13.5 Miles- near Grandfather Mountain

The band is back! Let’s get back out there for this very unique hike. This hike has some awesome views including Rough Ridge Lookout, neat bridge creek crossings, huge rocks, and you get to see up close the famous Lynn Cove Viaduct. This is a difficult hike so only seasoned long distance hikers should attend. This hike is very rooty and rocky and will wear you out. We will hike one way on the Tanawha trail starting at Price Lake and ending at Beacon Heights. Elevation gain +- 1,700 feet.

The Tanawha Trail, stretching 13.5 miles from Julian Price Park to Beacon Heights, parallels the Blue Ridge Parkway on Grandfather Mountain in North Carolina. Tanawha, the Cherokee word for fabulous hawk or eagle, is an appropriate name for this trail that offers hikers spectacular views of distant mountains.

Completed in 1993, the Tanawha Trail, like the final section of the parkway it mirrors, is unique in construction. The trail traverses a fragile and ancient ecosystem and leads hikers through a surprising range of biological and geological terrains. Some sections tunnel through thickets of laurel and rhododendron. Others dip down into remote hardwood coves and then ascend into evergreen glens. Boulder fields and cascading streams punctuate the landscape.

We will shuttle cars in the morning so DON’T be late.

WE WILL MEET AT BEACON HEIGHTS PARKING LOT. Arrive 9:15-9:30. Coordinates: 36.08386, -81.83013.
It’s near milepost 305 on the Blue Ridge Parkway near the intersection section of U.S. Route 221 and the Blue Ridge Parkway.

NOTE: There is a section of the Blue Ridge Parkway closed between Price Lake and Beacon Heights so if you are coming from the Blowing Rock direction, you won’t be able to take the Blue Ridge Parkway to Beacon Heights.

My cell phone: 704-516-1001 but cell service may not be available.

Hiking poles recommended!

Pack food and water. We will stop for lunch.

With the heat, make sure you have electrolytes and plenty of water.

There are porta johns at Price Lake and some very far into the hike.

There is a section of trail where dogs are prohibited so bring at you own risk.

Afterwards we will go to dinner and drinks in Blowing Rock.