Beech Mountain Trails
For adventure seekers and scenery admirers, Beech Mountain’s nearly 30 miles of hiking trails offer access to the mountain’s true beauty, taking you through old-growth forest, over old logging roads, and beside a railroad grade that once carried wood harvested on Beech Mountain.
Beech has hiking for all levels. Take an easy stroll through in-town woods with the family, or test yourself on longer trails that lead to waterfalls and scenic vistas. If you really want a challenge, take a multi-mile hike through 1,000 feet of elevation change. You’ll see wildlife, waterfalls, picturesque lakes, and panoramas showcasing the breathtaking beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Western North Carolina.
Lower Pond Creek Trail
.5 Miles away
There’s also a paved, handicap-accessible trail around Lake Coffey. Visit www.hikebeechmountain.com for more information the trails and https://www.beechmtn.com/things-to-do/mountain-biking/bmr-mtnbiking for information about biking.
Our Local Trail Ratings
Download the App: All Trails
We just discovered the All Trails mobile App and will begin to map our trails as we hike them. If you follow Rich Gallagher and Tammy Gallagher on the App, you will see the trails we have taken near by and our ratings of each. Please understand that although we have hiked more trailes than what you might find on the app, we just installed the app so give us some time and our trail maps will evolve.
Emerald Outback
The biggest hiking news in recent years has been the addition of the Emerald Outback at Beech Mountain. This trail system is located near the very top of the mountain and features nearly seven miles of trails for hiking,mountain biking and trail running. For more information go to www.emeraldoutback.com.
These trails are ideal for families, avid hikers and mountain bikers to explore this fourseason destination with amazing topography
and 50-mile vistas of North Carolina and Tennessee.
Elevations range from 4,700 to 5,400 feet, giving the park the distinction of being the highest officially designated trail park on the East Coast. The Emerald Outback has trails ranging from moderate to strenuous, with bailout trails in the more difficult areas.
The Emerald Outback trailhead is located right in the heart of town, across from the Beech Mountain Visitors Center. Trails includes a mixture of single-track, double-track and gravel roads traversing the mountaintop.
The park is open seven days a week and is free to the public. Dogs are not allowed on the trail system. When staying at our Beech Mountain Vacation home, you can access the nearest trail by walking .4 miles south on the street and hop on either of the Pond Creek Trails. Beech Mountain Trail Maps are available at Fred's Mercantile for $1.00, and we also have a map for your convenience at the home.
Grandfather Mountain
One thing about Grandfather Mountain is that the more you see of it, the more incredible it is. The network of nature walks and trails can take you through gentle forests and meadows or, if you choose, through rugged terrain navigated by ladders and cables. Either way, you can glimpse the wildest of wildlife and more of the breathtaking views for which Grandfather is famous.
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 of Grandfather Mountain State Park that you come up against the more challenging hikes.
Hikers can access the the trails inside Grandfather Mountain State Park for FREE from trailheads outside the attraction. Access to the trails from the Swinging Bridge requires the purchase of a ticket to the attraction.
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.
- The Mountain is home to 73 rare or endangered species, including 32 that are globally imperiled.
- Grandfather is part of the United Nation’s international network of Biosphere Reserves.
Mile High Swinging Bridge at Grandfather Mountain
grandfather.com
Visit our Leasing Information section to download trail maps.