Grandfather Mountain, the highest peak in the Blue Ridge Mountain range (elevation 5,964 ft), is 70 miles from Asheville. While it is not as tall as nearby Mt. Mitchell, it offers more rugged terrain and better vistas from it's rocky summit. Grandfather Mountain is also a globally recognized nature preserve. You can drive almost to the top, where you will find a gift shop, snack bar, picnic tables and the famous Mile High Swinging Bridge. Several lofty alpine hiking trails begin from this parking area. Just down the mountain a bit are environmental habitats for native wildlife including bears, cougars, otters, Bald and Golden Eagles, and deer.
The Mountain is privately owned and one ticket price includes everything: Guests purchase tickets at the foot of the mountain and drive their own vehicles through the park, stopping along the way to enjoy a variety of activities. Arrive by 11 AM if you plan to get in some hiking, so you will have plenty of time to enjoy the amazing views (best in North Carolina). Also take warmer clothing since it is often 20 degrees cooler on the summit than in Asheville. Quite often, fog and clouds cover the summit. Take hiking shoes or other shoes that have a good grip since you will be walking on rocky surfaces. And don't forget the camera!
 Wildlife Habitats
Grandfather has seven environmental habitats for black bears, river otters, cougars, bald eagles, golden eagles, and white-tailed deer. Environmental habitats are large enclosures that allow visitors to see animals in natural settings. Viewing areas give visitors an up-close perspective of the animals as they live in the wild. Separated from the animals by moats or elevated above the habitats on large retaining walls, these viewing areas allow you to stand only a few feet away from animals you probably won't see in your everyday life. A special aquarium-like viewing area allows you to enjoy watching the playful otters above or below the water.
Naturalist Programs
Special activities and programs with the Mountain's naturalists are presented daily during the summer months and are included in the price of admission. Guided tours and guided hikes with the Mountain's naturalists are available for an additional fee. Phone 828-733-4326 for reservations.
Picnicking
More than 100 picnic tables and grills are scattered throughout the park. The picnic area located on the right about 1/3 mile up the summit road is equipped with a water fountain and restrooms. Guests are welcome to bring their own picnic. Those who have not planned ahead can purchase fried chicken or sandwiches to go from the Museum restaurant.
 Hiking the Summit Trails
More than 12 miles of regularly maintained trails ranging in difficulty from easy nature walks to strenuous backcountry challenges. Our favorite hike is going out along Grandfather Trail and returning along Underwood Trail, an excellent loop hike from the Swinging Bridge parking lot.
Grandfather Trail
An upper mountain ridge trail of astonishing variety, running in and out of wind-dwarfed spruce and fir, across or around rock walls and pinnacles, and into open spaces with views of mountains unfurling in every direction. The jumbled-up, rocky features of this trail are so massive and distinct they appear to have cropped up by mistake-then decided to hang around for another millennia or two. The route follows the crest of Grandfather Mountain from the Hiker's Parking Area out 2.4 miles to Calloway Peak. Famed naturalist John Muir was inspired to describe the sight as "the face of all Heaven come to earth." The pace is often deliberate. There are chutes where progress is hand-over-hand and some extra steep sections where hikers use in-place cables and ladders. An alternative to taking the ladders up MacRae Peak is to opt for the more sheltered Underwood Trail.
Underwood Trail
Splitting off the Grandfather Trail near the half mile marker, the Underwood Trail bypasses ladder climbs on MacRae Peak, rejoining the Grandfather Trail at MacRae Gap, about a mile out. The trail makes a steep, rocky loop under the crest line around Raven Rock Cliffs.
 UN Biosphere Reserve
In 1971, the United Nations began a worldwide program designed to help land managers share scientific knowledge and practical experiences. In March 2007, the Man & Biosphere Program encompassed 507 biosphere reserves in 102 countries. In 1992, Grandfather Mountain became the first and still the only privately owned property to be accepted into the international network of biosphere reserves. Criteria for selection as a Biosphere Reserve are that the property must be: a sample of a unique ecological community permanently protected from uncontrolled development with a history of scientific research and monitoring that provides for training of resource management professionals and is dedicated to consciousness-raising with respect to current ecological issues. Grandfather Mountain supports sixteen (16) distinct ecological communities, each supporting its own unique web of life. It is Grandfather's abrupt rise above the valley floor that causes the change in elevation and climate conditions that supports such a diversity of life.
The Nature Conservancy
The Nature Conservancy considers Grandfather Mountain an ecological site of global significance, as it provides habitat for more globally rare species than any mountain east of the Rockies. The Nature Conservancy manages 4,092 acres on Grandfather Mountain.
Getting There
The fastest route (70 miles) from Asheville is taking I-40 East to Marion, NC. Take Exit #85. Turn left at the bottom of the ramp and go one mile to a stoplight. At the stoplight turn left and follow US 221 North to the entrance of Grandfather Mountain (about 30 miles). Download & print directions.
The most scenic is taking the Blue Ridge Parkway north from Asheville (about 90 miles from downtown, allow 2.5 hours) to Grandfather Mountain. NOTE: The Blue Ridge Parkway is closed for repairs during 2008 between Asheville and Grandfather. Read more for detours. Leave early for great morning views and little traffic. For an easy 1.5 mile (roundtrip) hike to a beautiful waterfall, stop at the Linville Falls visitors center, about 15 miles before Grandfather. From Linville Falls, continue north on the Blue Ridge Parkway to the Linn Cove Viaduct, a curvy bridge that seems to float in air. After you cross the Viaduct, turn around, cross the viaduct again, and take the US 221 Highway/Linville exit. You will quickly come to Grandfather Mountain.
The state of North Carolina is purchasing Grandfather Mountain to make sure one of North Carolina's signature landmarks will be preserved forever. The state announced in September 2008 that they would buy the undeveloped portion of the Avery County tourist destination for $12 million from the Morton family and Grandfather Mountain Inc. The deal made public over the weekend includes 2,600 acres of undeveloped land and a conservation easement on 600 more acres. The Morton family will keep operating the onsite nature center, wildlife habitats and swinging bridge near the top. The state will manage undeveloped areas as a state park.
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Go to Grandfather Mountain Web site
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