• Nature Walks & Hiking Trails
• Walking and Hiking at Grandfather Mountain
• Nature Walks - Trail Descriptions
• Backcountry Hiking - Trail Descriptions
• Rates & Hiking Permits
• Download Trail Map-13MB

• Tips, Safety & Regulations
• Safety on the Trail
• Mountain Regulations

Walking and Hiking at Grandfather Mountain

Grandfather Mountain has 11 trails varying in difficulty from a gentle walk in the woods to a rigorous trek across rugged peaks. It is in the backcountry that you come up against the more challenging hikes.

For safety reasons, walking down the road is not permitted.

In-Park Nature Trails

Grandfather has a number of gentle paths that can be accessed from the summit road. Designed to offer a low-impact foray into nature, these paths allow guests to get out in the woods without requiring a long and strenuous commitment.

Backcountry Hiking Trails

Grandfather's backcountry is very different from other areas in the South.

• Trails take you through forests usually found in Canadian climates.
• Many of the trails use ladders and cables to climb sheer cliff faces.
• Grandfather is home to 16 distinct natural communities (ecosystems).
• Is home to 70 rare or endangered species, including 29 that are globally imperiled.
• Portions of the backcountry are sheltered within a Nature Conservancy trust.
• Grandfather is part of the United Nation's international network of Biosphere Reserves
• Hikers access trails only by paying user fees.
• Hiking is included as part of your attraction admission . Guests who purchase a ticket to the attraction may access the trails from inside the gates.
• Guests who visit for hiking only may access the trails from off-mountain trailheads and must purchase hiking permits for one-half the regular gate admission price.

If you want to enter the Backcountry from the Swinging Bridge area

• Hiking is included in the price of admission. To access the start of the Grandfather Trail, please park at the Hiker's Parking Area, a quarter mile below the summit.
• Please return to your vehicle at least one hour before closing time. If, in an emergency, you leave your car on the mountain, please call 733-2800 (Top Shop), 733-4337 (Gate) or 733-1059 ( Nature Museum) as soon as possible to notify Grandfather Mountain staff. If you do not call, we will send out a search party.

If you want only to hike without going through the Entrance Gate

• Guests wishing only to hike can begin at one of the two off-mountain trailheads located either on US 221 or NC 105. A trail map will be supplied when you purchase your permit.
• If you park at an off-mountain trailhead, plan on hiking back to your car
• If you plan to have someone pick you up at the Hiker's Parking Area, the driver of the pick-up vehicle will be charged regular gate admission to come in to pick you up.
• Grandfather Mountain is not able to provide rides to or from trailheads.

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