The vast and expansive outdoors of North Carolina’s High Country promises an adventure like no other. Home to some of the highest mountains in the Eastern United States, the area also boasts a number of other magnificent and breathtaking spectacles, from the worlds second-oldest river to the largest gorge east of the Mississippi. Year round, the High Country offers visitors new and exciting ways to experience nature.

For hikers and view-seekers, a visit to the Mile-High Swinging Bridge atop Grandfather Mountain (5,694 ft.) is a must. Nearby, the Town of Beech Mountain (elevation 5,506 ft.) is the highest municipality in the Eastern United States and provides hiking, skiing and more.

If you’re looking for activities the whole family can enjoy, stop by the Foggy Mountain Gen Mine in Boone to uncover emeralds, rubies, amethysts and other gemstones. For a more rustic experience, set out on horseback and explore beautiful mountain trails and scenery.

Located just south of Linville is the famous Linville Gorge. Formed between Jonas Ridge to the east and Linville Mountain to the west, the gorge is a pristine 12,000-acre wilderness paradise rich in plant and animal life. It offers hiking, mountain biking, camping, rock climbing and many more activities for the outdoor adventurer.

Just north of Linville Gorge are the headwaters to a river with a distinct claim to fame. The New River is actually the second-oldest river in the world behind the Nile. Like the Nile, the New River flows north, meandering upward through picturesque Watauga and Ashe counties and into Virginia. In 1998, President Clinton designated the New River as an American Heritage River during a ceremony on its banks in the High Country. It’s one of many rivers and streams in the region perfect for fishing and rafting.