Challenging
Trails
Trails in Blue Ridge Parkway
Compare distance, typical time, difficulty, and trail details.
Moderate
Rough Ridge Trail
Big views fast on a rocky climb to boardwalks and boulder perches
Challenging
Sharp Top Trail
Short, steep grind to a rocky summit and sweeping 360-degree views
Moderate
Tennent Mountain Loop
High-elevation balds, big views, and a fun 5-mile Art Loeb loop
Challenging
Daniel Boone Scout Trail
Rugged climb to Calloway Peak with ladders, cables, and big views
Challenging
Deep Gap Trail (Mount Mitchell)
High ridge over NC’s tallest peaks, with big views and scrambles
Challenging
Tanawha Trail
Grandfather’s marquee traverse of views, boardwalks, and the Viaduct
Moderate
Waterrock Knob Trail
Short, steep climb to 6,292 ft with sweeping Southern Highlands views
Moderate
Black Balsam Knob via Art Loeb
Short, high-reward climb to a 360-degree bald with sweeping views
Moderate
Table Rock Mountain Trail
Short, steep climb to Linville Gorge’s blockbuster 360-degree views
Easy
Beacon Heights Trail
Short, rocky climb to twin quartzite slabs with huge views
Moderate
Devil's Courthouse Trail
Short, punchy climb to one of the region’s best panoramas.
Easy
Pinnacle Trail
Short climb, giant views, and classic rhododendron tunnels
Easy
Craggy Pinnacle Trail
Fast climb to 360° Blue Ridge views through rhododendron tunnels
Moderate
Fryingpan Mountain Lookout Tower Trail
Short gravel climb to a historic tower with huge Blue Ridge views
Moderate
Erwin’s View Trail (Linville Falls)
Four big overlooks of Linville Falls on a short, moderate walk.
Moderate
Hawksbill Mountain Trail
Short, steep climb to Linville Gorge’s blockbuster 360° views
Easy
Linville Falls Trail
Short, view-packed walk to the Blue Ridge’s poster waterfall
Moderate
Linville Falls Plunge Basin Trail
Short, steep drop to intimate, thundering views of Linville Falls
Challenging
Humpback Rocks Trail
Steep mile to knockout summit views, with history on the side
Moderate
Craggy Gardens Trail
Short, view-packed stroll to rhododendron-studded Craggy Flats
Moderate
Crabtree Falls Loop Trail
Premier Parkway waterfall loop with a steep, rocky bite
Moderate
Sam Knob Trail
Short, moderate climb to a 6,000-foot bald with huge views.
Moderate
Graveyard Fields Loop Trail
Two waterfalls, open meadows, and blueberries on a mile‑high loop
Moderate
Humpback Mountain Trail
Short, punchy loop with big Blue Ridge views and AT ridgewalk
Moderate
Boone Fork Trail
A varied loop to Hebron Falls with creeks, ladders, and meadows
Challenging
Looking Glass Rock Trail
Steady switchbacks to a broad granite perch with big Blue Ridge views
Challenging
Profile Trail (Grandfather Mountain)
Steep, rewarding climb from NC 105 to Grandfather’s ridgeline.
Challenging
Rock Castle Gorge Loop Trail
A rugged, 10.8-mile gorge-and-meadows circuit with big views
Challenging
Rock Castle Gorge Trail
Strenuous loop of creek, meadows, vistas, and Appalachian history.
Moderate
Plunge Basin Trail
Short, rugged fork to overlook or the plunge pool at Linville Falls
Challenging
Apple Orchard Falls Trail
Steep Blue Ridge descent to a tall, photogenic waterfall
Challenging
Old Mitchell Trail
Historic, rocky spruce fir climb to Mount Mitchell’s summit
Challenging
Flat Top Trail
Steady climb to rocky vistas and fewer crowds than Sharp Top
Moderate
Flat Laurel Creek Trail
Creekside meadows, cascades, and Sam Knob views without the crowds
Moderate
Mountains-to-Sea Trail
Rugged Blue Ridge singletrack with easy BRP access and big views
Easy
Second Falls Trail
Short, stair-stepped walk to a photogenic 60 ft cascade and swim hole
Easy
Flat Rock Trail
Short loop to a broad rock summit with big Grandfather views
Moderate
Fallingwater Cascades Loop
Short, shaded waterfall loop with a punchy climb and lush rhododendron.
Moderate
Fryingpan Mountain Tower Trail
Short gravel climb to WNC’s tallest fire tower and sweeping views
Moderate
Erwin's View Trail
Short, moderate walk to four distinct Linville Falls overlooks
Moderate
Upper Falls Trail
Short, berry-lined stroll to a photogenic two-tiered waterfall.
Challenging
Gully Creek Trail
Short, rugged loop of cascades, creek crossings, and deep shade
Moderate
Mount Pisgah Trail
Classic Parkway summit with short, steady climb and big views
Moderate
Flat Top Carriage Trail
Gentle carriage climb to a panoramic tower through meadows and pines
Moderate
Appalachian Trail (Parkway corridor)
Short, view-rich AT slices linking overlooks along the Parkway
Easy
Bass Lake Loop
Flat, family friendly lap with calm water, birds, and manor views
Easy
Richland Balsam Nature Trail
Short spruce-fir loop to the Parkway’s highest summit
Challenging
Basin Creek Trail
Remote creek gorge to a historic cabin with countless crossings
Easy
Cascades Trail
Short loop to dramatic multi-tier Cascades with interpretive signs
Easy
Cascades Trail (E.B. Jeffress)
Short loop to 100-foot Cascade Falls with stairs and shady forest
Easy
Abbott Lake Loop Trail
Paved one mile lakeside loop with postcard Peaks of Otter views
Moderate
Green Knob Trail
Lush loop of creek, meadows, and rhododendron with playful rock hops
Easy
Price Lake Loop Trail
Lakeside loop with mountain views, wildlife, and kid-friendly stops
Challenging
Snowball Mountain Trail
Quiet Craggy ridge to Hawkbill Rock with big views and blooms
Moderate
The Maze
Historic carriage-road loop with forest shade, manor views, and horses
Moderate
White Rock Falls Trail
Waterfall, gorge, and forest loop off the Parkway near Slacks
Challenging
Big Butt Trail
High-elevation ridge walk to Little Butt with big views and solitude
Challenging
Little Butt Trail
High-elevation ridge hike to a rocky overlook with big views
Moderate
Buck Springs Trail
Woodsy MST segment with history, flowers, and a Pisgah Inn payoff
Moderate
Bluff Mountain Trail
Easygoing ridge ramble with meadows and long-range views
Challenging
Linville Gorge Trail
Rugged river route into the wild heart of Linville Gorge.
Challenging
Shut-In Trail
Historic, strenuous ridge walk paralleling the Parkway with solitude
Easy
Linn Cove Viaduct Access Trail
Quick stroll to stand beneath and photograph the iconic viaduct.
Easy
Nuwati Trail
Rocky, gentle-grade stroll to Storyteller’s Rock and Boone Bowl views
Easy
Price Lake Trail
Gentle lakeside loop with constant views and easy access
Moderate
Rich Mountain Carriage Trail
Wide, historic climb to Blue Ridge views from Trout Lake
Easy
Balsam Nature Trail (Mount Mitchell)
Short spruce‑fir loop steps from the highest summit in the East
Challenging
Cumberland Knob Gully Creek Trail
Rugged creek loop with many crossings and mossy cascades
Challenging
Flat Rock Ridge Trail
Steep ridge run from meadow to creek with big Blue Ridge views
Moderate
White Rock Gap Trail
Waterfall-and-ravine stroll with a fun creek crossing and views.
Moderate
Albright Loop Trail
Quieter Humpback Rocks alternative with woods, streams, and a view spur
Moderate
Heintooga Flat Creek Trail
Quiet Smokies creek walk with grassy tread and a quick overlook
Challenging
Bluff Ridge Primitive Trail
Brutally steep, solitude-rich climb into remote Basin Cove.
Challenging
Douglas Falls Trail
Rugged trek to a 70-foot waterfall through wild, hemlock forest
Challenging
Torry Ridge Trail
Big Blue Ridge views, rocky drops, and a Sherando Lake payoff
Easy
Chestoa View Trail
Quick loop to sweeping Linville Gorge views with big payoff
Easy
Jumpinoff Rock Trail
Short, easy woods walk to a quiet, panoramic Blue Ridge overlook.
Easy
Trout Lake Loop Trail
Easy lakeside loop through hemlocks with frequent wildlife sightings
Moderate
Black Ridge Trail
Rolling loop of meadows, woods, and Blue Ridge views from MP 169
Moderate
Grassy Gap Fire Road
Wide, quiet descent with access to waterfalls and a rustic camp
Moderate
Rattlesnake Lodge Trail
Shady stroll to historic lodge ruins just off the ParkwayModerate
Harkening Hill Loop Trail
Quieter Peaks of Otter loop with boulders, Balance Rock, and views
Challenging
Yellow Face Trail
Short, steep unofficial summit spur with big Smokies views
Easy
Johnson Farm Loop Trail
Gentle loop to a restored 1930s mountain farmstead with stories.
Moderate
Fisher Peak Loop Trail
Woodland loop with spring blooms, shady stream, and sunny meadow
Easy
Otter Creek Trail
Mellow creekside connector between campground and James River
Moderate
Deer Park Trail (Cone)
Historic carriage road loop with gentle grades and estate views
Moderate
Chestnut Ridge Loop Trail
Shady hardwood loop with easy grades and great birding near Roanoke
Easy
James River Canal Lock Trail
Short river loop to a restored 1800s canal lock with big bridge views
Moderate
Sims Creek Trail
Quiet creek-and-rhododendron loop with a peek at Grandfather
Easy
Roanoke Mountain Woodland Trail
Mini summit loop with big Roanoke Valley views.
Easy
Craven Gap Trail
Shaded MST stroll near Asheville with light ups and limited views.
Easy
Thunder Ridge Nature Trail
Blink-and-you’re-there loop to a stone deck and huge valley views.
Easy
Wildcat Rocks Trail
Super-short stroll to a big Blue Ridge escarpment view
Easy
Canal Lock Trail
Short, easy loop to a restored James River canal lock with views
Easy
Mabry Mill Trail
Short, history-rich loop around the Parkway’s most photogenic mill
Easy
Roanoke Mountain Loop Trail
Tiny summit loop with lichen-clad rocks and big Roanoke views
Easy
High Meadow Trail
Meadow and woodland stroll with music drifting from the stage
Easy
Smart View Loop Trail
Mellow meadows, woods, and a historic cabin on a quiet loop.
Easy
Sims Pond Loop Trail
Short pond, creek, and meadow loop with a viaduct and one view
Easy
Wigwam Falls Trail
Blink-and-you’re-there walk to a photogenic falls and logging rails
Easy
Duggers Creek Falls Trail
Tiny slot-canyon falls on a 0.3-mile loop by the visitor center
Easy
Stack Rock Trail
Tiny detour to a quirky rock tower in a rhodo-laced forest
Easy
Trail of Trees
Shaded riverside loop with tree ID signs and James River overlooks
Easy
Old Johns River Road
Short, quiet pasture-to-creek stroll with a Boone Fork connection.
Easy
Roanoke River Trail
Quick riverside leg stretcher with dam and river views.
Easy
Mountain Farm Trail
Short, history-rich stroll through an 1890s mountain farmstead
Easy
Elk Run Trail
Shaded, self-guided loop steps from Peaks of Otter Visitor Center
Easy
Fodder Stack Trail
Short, shady loop with spring wildflowers—not about the views.
Easy
Blue Ridge Parkway Visitor Center TRACK Trail
Short, kid-focused forest loop with TRACK Trail activities
Easy
Rocky Knob Picnic Loop Trail
Easy leg-stretcher through woods and meadows beside the picnic area
Easy
Otter Lake Loop Trail
Short lakeside loop with a steep start and quiet, forested feel
Easy
Cumberland Knob Loop Trail
Easy paved loop with CCC history, picnic lawns, and quiet woods
Easy
Tompkins Knob Trail
Shady, flat stroll past a historic cabin near Deep Gap
Easy
Puckett Cabin Trail
Brief, flat stroll to the historic cabin of midwife Orlean Puckett
Easy
Stewart Knob Trail
Quick, quiet leg-stretcher with Blue Ridge views near RoanokeEasy
Cold Prong Pond Loop
Quick, flat leg-stretcher with a meadowy “pond” and wildflowers.
Easy
