Why Grandfather Mountain Is Home To This Must-Try Hike In North Carolina

North Carolina is a great place for hiking because it not only contains part of the Great Smoky Mountains (which are one of those bucket list national parks) but also lots of gorgeous state parks and expansive national forests. While there are quite a few incredible hikes to be found in North Carolina, including around 96 miles of the famous Appalachian Trail, one hike that really stands out as a unique journey is the Grandfather Trail in Grandfather Mountain State Park.

Following the ridge line of Grandfather Mountain, Grandfather Trail traverses three separate peaks — including Calloway Peak which stands at an impressive 5,946 feet in elevation. However, what makes this trail so special and exciting is that despite only being 2.4 miles long, it typically takes around five hours to complete and will definitely get your heart racing along the way. Grandfather Trail requires hikers to scale multiple vertical rock formations, which necessitates the use of cables and ladders that are bolted into the mountain. It's for this reason that the trail is considered strenuous and it is recommended that only experienced adult hikers undertake the challenge. However, if you aren't too afraid of heights and are up for some invigorating climbing (without the need for climbing gear), then Grandfather Trail will be an amazing experience. In fact, as North Carolina-based hiking influencer Emily Sutherland noted on Instagram, "With cable climbs, boulder fields, rock scrambling, and ladders this has got to be one of my all time favorite hikes."

Before you set off on this incredible hike, there are a few things you should keep in mind. First, many reviewers on AllTrails warn that the rocks can be slippery and that it is important to wear good hiking shoes on the trail (trust us, wearing the wrong hiking shoes can be more dangerous than you think). Furthermore, because hiking this trail involves lots of ladders, ropes, and even some free scrambling, some AllTrails reviewers also recommend wearing lightweight gloves and making sure to choose the right backpack for the hike. In this case, the best backpack is typically something small and lightweight that will be easy to move and climb with. It is also important to check the weather before you start your hike as the mountains of North Carolina can receive sudden and unpredictable storms. These storms are often accompanied by high winds that will not only make the hike more difficult, but sometimes even cause park staff to shut down Grandfather Trail for safety reasons. 

There are multiple parking lots in Grandfather Mountain State Park, and the one you need to access the Grandfather Trail is Top Shop. This parking lot also contains a gift shop and restrooms. Grandfather Mountain State Park requires all visitors to purchase an admissions ticket to enter and explore the area. These tickets can be purchased either online or in person at the entrance. Tickets for the park range from $20 to $30, depending on how crowded it is and whether or not you are visiting during a weekend or holiday. Although the price of the ticket may seem a bit steep, it may help to know that the money collected goes to the local non-profit organization that cares for and maintains the park. 

After your fun but strenuous trip up the ropes and ladders of Grandfather Trail and then back down again, if you aren't exhausted after five hours of hiking, you may want to check out some of the other trails in the park. The Black Rock Trail is an easy 1.8-mile hike that ends at a rock outcropping with sweeping views of the surrounding area. If you are willing to drive to the other side of the park, then the Nuwati Trail is also a great option for a moderate hike in the woods.

However, on your visit to Grandfather Mountain State Park, one thing that you definitely shouldn't skip out on is the Mile High Swinging Bridge. Accessible via a staircase or elevator from the Top Shop parking lot (the same lot you will park in to access Grandfather Trail), getting to the Mile High Swinging Bridge is quick and easy. Plus visiting the bridge is also included in the price of your admission into the park. The bridge, which gets its name because it is about a mile high in elevation (although only 80 feet above the ravine), offers panoramic views of the surrounding Blue Ridge Mountains and Grandfather Peak, and is particularly beautiful in autumn.