Year-round activities abound in the High Country- hiking, canoeing or boating, mountain biking, road cycling, ziplining, rock climbing and bouldering - are just a few adventures visitors of all ages can enjoy! Paddling and hiking in the summer are wonderful,as you explore the scenery and enjoy some of the most pleasantly mild weather in the SE United States. Whether you’re camping for a weekend, or just enjoying a quick stroll along a leg-stretching trail on the Blue Ridge Parkway, it is hard to imagine a better way to experience this glorious mountain region than immersing yourself in outdoor activities. Don’t forget to bring your camera to capture quick pictures of wildlife along the trail and expansive vistas from the mountaintops.
Outdoor Recreation
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Visit the Top 10 High Elevations in the High Country
As our namesake implies, when you visit the High Country, you are never far from a high elevation with a great vista. Many of the highest points are surprisingly easy to access by car or by path.Mount Mitchell (6,684 ft)Part of the Black Mountains, Mount Mitchell’s summit is the highest point east of the Mississippi river. A 300 yard paved…
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Rocky Knob Park Mountain Biking Trails
The new Rocky Knob Park features a 185-acre mountain bike park, located just three miles from downtown Boone. Offering eight miles of stacked loop trails for mountain biking and hiking that get progressively harder as you go higher up the mountain, the Park is a great destination for mountain bikers and hikers of all ages. The Park also offers several…
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High Country Bloom Schedule
The High Country mountains boast some of the most beautiful wildflowers in the south. From the popular catawba rhododendron found commonly along the Blue Ridge Parkway to the rare and endangered pink shell azalea vaseyi found at Grandfather Mountain, the High Country offers an array of breathtaking flowers throughout the spring and summer seasons. A great way to see these…
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Guided Hikes at Grandfather Mountain
Grandfather Mountain offers access to multiple trails varying in difficulty from a leisurely walk in the woods to a rigorous trek across rugged peaks. A number of gentle paths designed to offer a low-impact foray into nature can be accessed from the summit road. Those seeking greater adventure can hike into Grandfather’s backcountry where many of the trails rely on…
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Birding in the High Country
The High Country's is home to many rare and endangered birds from the peaks of Grandfather Mountain to the banks of Kerr Scott Dam and along the roadsides of the Blue Ridge Parkway. Grandfather Mountain's massive vertical drops into the Linville River Valley and Catawba Basin creates conditions that support 16 distinct ecological communities ranging from rich cove forests and…
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Visit the Top 10 High Elevations in the High Country
