North Carolina High Peaks Trail Association & Friends of Mount Mitchell State Park

Join High Peaks for a hike on the scenic Boone Fork Trail near Grandfather Mountain on Friday, August 29. 

This five-mile loop hike through the woods has 550 feet of elevation gain and features several peaceful water features. The outing should take 2-3 hours to complete. It is made moderately challenging by some boulder-hopping, rocks and roots in the trail and some ladders which may not be suitable for dogs.

The NC High Peaks Trail Association will lead a hike on the historic Overmountain Trail and Appalachian Trail  to Hump Mountain on Friday July 11.

The hike will begin on the Overmountain Trail at the Roaring Creek Trailhead and head up to the AT at Yellow Mountain Gap. There is a short spur trail to the Overmountain shelter. Hikers will then proceed north on the AT to Hump Mountain where they will turn around for the trek back to the starting point.

Join the NC High Peaks Trail Association for a hike to beautiful upper and lower Locust Creek Falls on Friday, June 27.

This out-and-back trek will total four miles, with an elevation gain of less than a thousand feet. The outing should take approximately 3 hours to complete with a moderate degree of difficulty.

Burnsville-based NC High Peaks Trail Association has been awarded a $13,500 grant from the WNC Futures Fund’s Trail to Recovery Program to help rebuild the popular Balsam Nature Trail at Mt. Mitchell State Park. 

Although the Park remains closed because there is no access due to landslides and other road damage to the Blue Ridge Parkway caused by Hurricane Helene, the grant will offer visitors a much-improved experience once the Park re-opens.

The NC High Peaks Trail Association will lead a moderately strenuous hike on the Appalachian Trail from Spivey Gap to the High Rocks vista on Friday, May 23. This out-and-back trek will cover four miles total with 1400 feet of elevation gain, taking 2-3 hours to complete. The view from High Rocks can be spectacular.

NC High Peaks will lead a hike along the scenic Tanawha Trail on Friday, May 9th. The moderately strenuous 7.7 mile hike will start at Stack Rock and end at the Boone Fork parking area, taking 4-5 hours to complete. Along the way hikers will see a waterfall, Rough Ridge, Ravens Rock and cross under the Linn Cove Viaduct. 

Come join High Peaks on Friday, April 18 for a moderate hike at Lamar Alexander State Park near Flag Pond, TN. 

Fit, experienced hikers are invited to join the NC High Peaks Trail Association on Sat. April 5 for a fun but challenging hike up the Big Butt Trail from Cane River Gap. This up-and-back hike will cover seven miles with more than 2,000 feet of elevation change - a tough climb up but also tough on the knees coming down.

Fit, experienced hikers are invited to join the NC High Peaks Trail Association on Friday, Feb. 21 for a fun but challenging hike up the Big Butt Trail from Cane River Gap. This up-and-back hike will cover seven miles with more than 2,000 feet of elevation change - a tough climb up but also tough on the knees coming down.