Grandfather Mountain

Grandfather Mountain, in one of the major chains of the Appalachian Mountains, is a nature preserve and tourist attraction near Linville, North Carolina. You can drive to its 5,964-foot peak, the highest peak on the eastern escarpment of the Blue Ridge Mountains, hike its trails, or drive your car through the park, stopping at various sites along the way, like the museum and wildlife habitats. Grandfather Mountain is best known for its mile-high Swinging Bridge, the highest in America. The bridge links two of the mountain's rocky peaks, and earned its moniker due to its tendency to sway in high winds.

Grandfather Mountain is a perfect day trip for everyone. A paved road leads to Lineville Peak, where the museum and swinging bridge are located. From the peak you can enjoy views of up to 100 miles. On a clear day, it's possible to see the Charlotte city skyline, 106 miles away. The Swinging Bridge is 228-feet long and is spread over an 80-foot chasm at more than one mile in elevation. You have to climb 50 stairs to reach the bridge. If the climb is too strenuous, you can still see similar vistas from the parking area.

On the road to the summit there are wildlife exhibits where you will see black bears, river otters, bald and golden eagles, cougars and white-tailed deer. You can feed the black bears during the early hours but you have to buy the approved food. There's a special aquarium-like viewing area to watch the playful otters above or below the water.

Grandfather Mountain offers over 12 miles of regularly maintained trails ranging in difficulty from easy nature walks to strenuous backcountry challenges. Some trails require climbing wooden ladders to reach higher peaks and offer scenic views. Dress in layers, as the winds are howling at the top. There is a long, strenuous hike along the Grandfather trail all the way to Calloway. However, if you want to experience the views with less exertion, the first part of the trail, to McCrae's Peak, really provides the full flavor of the trail with all the breathtaking views at a moderate challenge. On the lower slopes of the mountain, the Woods Walk offers families a leisurely 4/10-mile loop through Appalachian forest. With very gradual grades and wide paths, the Woods Walk is great if you are looking for a casual stroll among natural beauty. At least 64 different flower and plant species and 19 tree types grow at trailside.

The Nature Museum has over two dozen exhibits to educate visitors about the natural history of Grandfather Mountain and the surrounding region. The museum's gem collection contains some 62 different kinds of minerals, including crystals of the state's famed emeralds and rubies and the largest amethyst ever found in North America. The collection also features the finest group of Tar Heel gold specimens exhibited anywhere. Other exhibits showcase the birds and animals of North Carolina, early explorers to Grandfather Mountain and Native American artifacts found on the land. Four fun and informative movies are shown throughout the day in the theater. On your way back from the museum stop by Split Rock & Sphinx Rock, huge, 1-billion-year-old boulders. These two house-sized boulders are located beside the summit road about 3/4 mile up the mountain.

Grandfather Mountain hosts the annual Scottish Highland Games, which features traditional Scottish games and music. There are also plenty of activities to keep the kids busy. Families visiting in September shouldn't miss KidFest, a day designed to get kids excited about the nature and culture of the North Carolina Mountains through fun and games, nature presentations, encounters with live hawks and owls, face painting, storytelling and mountain music. Kids can take a guided walk through the wildflowers and animal habitats and take a quiz about the animals. The busiest time on Grandfather Mountain is October when the foliage changes. The line of cars to get in is often a mile long.

If you get hungry at Grandfather Mountain, stop for a bite in the museum's family-style restaurant. There is also a nearby picnic area with outdoor grills, located on the right about 1/3 mile up the summit road. A snack bar located in the visitor center next to the Swinging Bridge serves hot dogs, BBQ, drinks, nachos, ice cream, fudge and more. In winter, the Snack Bar serves hot coffee, tea, soup, grilled cheese sandwiches and drinks.

The entrance to Grandfather Mountain is located on US 221, two miles north of Linville, North Carolina, and one mile south of the Blue Ridge Parkway at milepost 305. It is located 70 miles from Ashville, North Carolina and 106 miles from Charlotte.