List of Trails, Events, Festivals, & Sights

 

Whitewater Falls

"Upper Whitewater Falls is the highest waterfall east of the Rockies. The falls plunge an amazing 411 feet! South Carolina's Lower Whitewater Falls drops another 400 feet. Because of the escarpment's difficult access and rugged terrain, much of the area receives few visitors and has remained wild and undeveloped over the years. In the cool, moist shade of steep slopes and rock cliffs, wildflowers and salamanders abound. This wild land is also a perfect haven for a rich array of ferns, mosses, and fungi. Enjoy the beauty of berries and blooms throughout the seasons." Source: USDA Forest Service

Photo compliments of USDA Forest Service

Upper Whitewater Falls is the highest waterfall east of the Rockies.
   

Popular Trails in Western North Carolina

Art Loeb Trails - HikeWNC

Section 1: "The Art Loeb Trail, 30.1 miles long, is a national recreation trail and named after a local hiking enthusiast. The trail traverses beautiful, but rugged terrain from some of the lowest, to some of the highest points on the Pisgah District."

Section 2: 7.2 miles. "From Gloucester Gap the trail climbs to Pilot Mountain, a former fire tower site with a 360-degree view. In mid-May the north side of Pilot Mountain is abloom with pinkshell azalea."
Section 3: 6.8 miles. "The first half of this portion of the Art Loeb Trail is perhaps the most spectacular. Black Balsam and Tennant Mountains both exceed 6,000 feet in elevation."
Section 4: 3.8 miles. "This is a short, but very steep section of the Art Loeb Trail. Because it is in designated wilderness, you will find no signs or trail blazes."
Spur: 6.0 miles. "This is a short but steep trail that climbs 160 feet in elevation in the course of 0.6 mile. On a clear day, the trail has views of up to 70 miles distant."
Blue Ridge Parkway Trails: (Over 75 Western North Carolina trails listed by mile-marker.) - Blue Ridge Parkway Trails

"Meandering alongside and crossing the scenic motor road, the trails provide a close-up look at some of the most beautiful wilderness in the country. Many trails wind their way through unique biological and geological environments. Others lead to historic sites with stories of how people have shaped our heritage. Many parkway trails continue onto Forest Service and private land. Please respect all these lands and treat them with care."

Lake Shore Trail:

"Approximately six miles to campground. Must have permit and must NOT camp outside of campsites. A fine will follow if you do. Many sites: old home place, old vechicles, trail follows Eagle Creek to NW and spectacular views to see. Horse trails lead to campground with many tent sites and cables to hang packs. Fishing is good for lake trout and smallmouth bass. Good trip for 2-3 days in smokies but many rules to follow."

Mountain-to-Sea Trail:

"The Mountains to Sea Trail (MST) of North Carolina is a 900+ mile trail consisting of footpaths, roads, and state bike routes. This trail started in 1973 when the North Carolina General Assembly passed the North Carolina Trails System Act. FMST's efforts are underway so that one day a complete foot trail will reach across the state, from the Mountains to the Sea."

Mount Mitchell Trail:

"Mount Mitchell is the highest peak east of the Mississippi river at 6,684'. Part of the appeal of this hike is "summiting" this superior peak. This hike qualifies as an accepted route for the South beyond 6000', a club which recognizes members who climb all 40 peaks above 6000' in the Southern Appalachians. This is also one of the highest climbs of any trail in the area, ascending over 3,600' from the Black Mountain Campground to Mount Mitchell's summit, so it is quite difficult. You can start at the top and hike down, but if you don't have a vehicle shuttle you'll have to come back up anyway. One good option would be to leave a vehicle shuttle at the summit parking area and hike up, then avoid the strain on the knees by driving back down. This is a description starting at the bottom going up."

Tanawha Trail:
"No matter how many trails you hike on the Blue Ridge Parkway, you experience something new and different. For example, hiking the Tanawha Trail from Raven Rock Overlook to the Boone Fork Parking Area (not to be confused with Boone Fork Overlook five miles ahead) will, for much of the trail, give you a tropical forest feeling. Don't let the fact that you have limited distance views discourage you from hiking this part of the Tanawha Trail."
Whitewater Falls Trail:

The Foothills Trail stretches along the Blue Ridge Escarpment in North Carolina and South Carolina for 85 miles. After descending the spur trail, hikers may head east on the Foothills Trail to South Carolina, the Lower Whitewater Falls, and other eastward points. The majority of trail maintenance is provided by volunteers with the Foothills Trail Conference, whose board includes representatives of managing agencies and landowners. The Highlands Ranger district of the Nantahala National Forest manages a 4.5-mile segment of the Foothills Trail from the NC-SC State line east of Whitewater Falls to the NC-SC State line, west of the falls.

 

 

Full List of Area Water Falls!

 

 

 

Events, Festivals, & Sights by County in Western North Carolina

Click on the county's name in the left column for a list of all cities located in the country along with Web links for available accomdations, dining, camping, hiking, the chamber of commerce, tourist information, local attractions, county government, etc., plus a brief description of county history.

Alleghany County

Visit Alleghany County

 

Art of Tea - Blue Ridge Parkway - Laurel Ridge Ski Resort - Silver Dollar Music Park - Station's Inn - Stone Mountain State Park

Ashe County

Visit Ashe County

 

Ashe Arts Council - Ashe Civic Center - Ashe County Cheese - Ashe County Farmer's Market - Blue Ridge Parkway - Bluff Mountain Nature Preserve - Christmas in July - Mt. Jefferson State Park - New River Zoo - Skate Zone Amusement Center - Thistle Meadow Winery

Avery County

Visit Avery County

 

Autumn at Oz - Avery County Agricultural & Horticultural Fair - Banner Elk Fine Arts & Mastercrafts Festival - Blue Ridge Parkway - Grandfather Mountain - Grandfather Mountain Highland Games - Grandfather Mountain Resort - Lees-McRae College - Mile-High Kite Festival - Pisgah National Forest - Sugar Mountain Resort - Valle Country Fair - Woolly Worm Festival

Buncombe County

Visit Buncombe County

 

Asheville Annual Film Festival - Asheville Art Museum - Asheville Art Tours - Asheville Community Theatre - Asheville Hot Air Balloons - Arboretum - Biltmore Village - Biltmore Estate - Biltmore Estrate Winery - Blue Ridge Parkway - The Cove - Colburn Earth Science Museum - Craggy Gardens - Diana Wortham Theatre - Folk Art Center - Folkmoot USA International - French Broad River Festival - Goombay Festival - Grove Park Inn - Grove Park Inn Gingerbread House Competition - Handmade in America - Lake Eden Arts Festival (The Leaf) - Montreat College - Mountain Sports Festival - North Carolina Arboretum - Orange Peel - Park Place Building - Pisgah National Forest - Playback Theatre - Riverlink - River Artists - Romantic Asheville - Tanglewood Summer Camp - Thomas Wolfe House & Visitor Center - Thomas Wolfe Auditorium - Western North Carolina Farmer's Market - University of North Carolina Asheville (UNCA) - Web cam/Asheville

Burke County

 

Ben Long IV Frescoes - Blueridge Parkway - Drexel Grapevine Antiques - Farmer's Markets - From This Day Forward - History Museum - Linville Caverns - Morganton Festival - Morganton Municipal Auditorium - Old Colony Players - Pisgah National Forest - Freedom Trail Greenway - Rock School Arts Foundation - South Mountains State Park - Waldesian Museum - Waldensian Heritage Wines - Western Piedmont Community College

 

Caldwell County

Visit Caldwell County

 

20 Miles of Furniture - 100 Things to do - Broyhill Civic Center Events - Caldwell Community College & Technical Center - Old Time Fiddler's Convention - Pisgah National Forest

 

Appalachia Dam - Hiwassee Dam -Mountain Biking - Nantahala Lake - Nantahala National Forest - Nantahala Outdoor Center ("Best Outfitters on Earth" -- National Geographic Adventure Magazine) - Ocoee Adventure Center - Tri-County Community College - Whitewater Rafting

 

Chatuge Dam - Hinton Rural Life Center - LaForte's Country Cottages - Lake Chatuge Mountain - Nantahala National Forest - Peacock Playhouse - Punkin-Chunkins - Southern Highroads Trail - Standing Indian Mountain

 

Cherohala Skyway - Fontana Village Adventure Center - Fontana Village Resort / Fontana Village Activities - Joyce Kilmer-Slickrock Wilderness Citico Creek Wilderness - Nantahala Ourdoor Center - Nantahala National Forest - Racing Ahead - Rafting in the Smokies - Stecoah Valley Center - Studio Gallery Guide - Tail of the Dragon - Tour of Graham County

 

Balsam Mountains - Blue Ridge Parkway - Canton's Colonial Theatre - Cataloochee Ski Area - Carolina Nights Dinner Theatre - Cold Mountain - Elk Watching - Festivals - Haywood Community College - Lake Junaluska - Lake Junaluska Conference and Retreat Center - Maggie Valley - Mt. Sterling - Nantahala National Forest - Nantahala River Gorge - Festivals - Shook Museum - Smoky Mountain National Park - Waterfalls

 

Apple Festival - Brevard Music Center - Carl Sandburg's Home - Cradle of Forestry - Dupont Forest - Flatrock Music Festival - Flatrock Playhouse - Hands-On! - Historic Johnson Farm - Mineral and Lapidary Museum - Model Railroading - Moonshine Mountain - N.C. Justice Academy - Porter Center - Western North Carolina Air Museum - White Squirrel Festival

 

1908 Balsam Mountain Inn - Blue Ridge Parkway - Cherokee Bear Zoo & Exotic Animals - Cherokee Indian Reservation - Cherokee Museum - Harrah's Cherokee Casino - Fly Fishing - Hiking Trails - Mountain Heritage Day - Nantahala National Forest - Oconaluftee Indian Village - Ruby City - Santa's Land - Smoky Mountain Hiking - Smoky Mountain Jet Boats - Smoky Mountain Railway - Smoky Mountain Senior Games - Southwest Community College - Sylva - Thorpe Dam - Tuckasegee Outfitters - Unto These Hills Theatre - Waterfalls - Western Carolina University - Whistlestop Mall / Directory - Whitewater Rafting

 

Bartram Trail Society - Bridal Veil Falls - Dry Falls - Ghost Tours - Fire Mountain - Fun Factory - Mountain High BBQ - Museums - Nantahala National Forest - Overlook Theatre Company - Scottish Tartans Museum - Waterfalls

 

Blue Ridge Parkway - Bluff Mountain Festival - Hot Springs Trail Festival - Madison County Arts Council - Madison County Farmers and Artisans Market - Mars Hill College -Mountain Magnolia Inn - Pisgah National Forest - Scenic Wolf Resort - Southern Dharma Retreat Center - White Water Rafting - Wolf Ridge Ski Resort

 

Blue Ridge Mountains - Linville Falls - Linville Gorge - Old Fort - Pisgah National Forest

 

Bakersville Creek Walk - Blue Ridge Parkway - NC Mineral & Gem Festival - Pisgah National Forest - Penland School of Crafts - Rhododendron Festival - The Roan

 

All Special Events - Blue Ridge BBQ Festival - Equestrian - Metric Century Bicycle Tour - Tyron Music Association - Saluda Arts Festival - Scenic Attractions/Waterfalls

 

Chimney Rock - Church of The Exceptional - non-denominational. - Hickory Nut Gorge - Isothermal Community College - Lake Lure - Performing Arts and Conference Center - Arts & Festivals - Rutherford Community Theatre

 

Deal's Gap Motorcycle Resort - Deep Creek Trail Map (pdf.) - Clingmans Dome - Fields of the Wood - Fontana Dam - Head of the Creek - John C. Campbell Folk School - Mountain Waters Scenic Byway - Nantahala River Gorge - Nantahala River Rafting - Newfound Gap - Pisgah National Forest - Scottish Tartans Museum - Smoky Mountains - Smoky Mountain Cabins and Mountains - Smoky Mountains Jet Boats - Strawberry Festival - Smokey Mountain Model Trains

 

Blue Ridge Corn Maze - Blue Ridge Parkway - Brevard College - Brevard Little Theatre - Brevard Music Center - Caesars Head State Park (SC) - Cradle of Forestry - Division of Parks and Recreation - Dupont State Forest - Gorges State Park - Holmes State Park (Henderson County) - Land of the Waterfalls - Museums - North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission - Pisgah National Forest - Porter Center for the Performing Arts - Transylvania County Arts Council - Whitewater Falls (Jocassee Gorge)

 

Appalachian State University - Beech Mountain - Blowing Rock - Blowing Rock Stage Company - Blue Ridge Parkway - Horn in the West Revolutionary Drama - Moses H. Cone Memorial Park - Pisgah National Forest - Tweetsie Railroad

 

Blue Ridge Mountains - Blue Ridge Parkway - Bushey Apple Festival - MerleFest - Cultural Arts Festival of Wilkes - Rendezvous Mountain - Stone Mountain State Park - W. Kerr Scott Dam - Walker Center - Wilkes Community College - Wilkes Playmakers

 

Blue-Ridge Parkway - Big Bald Mountain - Mt Mitchell - Mt. Michell Craft Fair - Parkway Playhouse - Pisgah National Forest - Roaring Fork Falls

 

Farms, Orchards, & Wineries of the High Country

A sampling of providers located in the far northeast section of Western North Carolina

Click here for more information on the Mountain High Country, which represents the upper northeast counties of western North Carolina.

 

Appalachian Evergreens

Our real Fraser Fir Table Top Trees are freshly cut from one of our tree farms based in the beautiful Appalachian Mountains in western North Carolina.

Photo compliments https://www.appevergreens.com/

"Appalachian Evergreens ship genuine Fraser Fir Wreaths and Table Top Trees made from fresh greenery available from one of their tree farms located in the Appalachian Mountains of western North Carolina. All their products are ship direct for your enjoyment all season long. Western North Carolina High Country is the Christmas tree capital of the U.S."

Source: Appalachian Evergreens

 

North Carolina Christmas Tree Association

1997 marked the eighth time a North Carolina Fraser Fir was chosen as the official White House Christmas tree.

"North Carolina has 1,600 growers producing an estimated 50 million Fraser fir Christmas trees growing on over 25,000 acres and Fraser Fir trees represent over 90% of all species grown in North Carolina. The North Carolina Christmas Tree Industry is ranked second in the nation in number of trees harvested and first in the nation in terms of dollars made per tree.

The North Carolina Fraser fir has been judged the Nation's best through a contest sponsored by the National Christmas Tree Association and chosen for the official White House Christmas tree nine times (more than any other species)....1971, 1973, 1982, 1984, 1990, 1993, 1995, 1997, and 2005. It is the most popular Christmas tree in North America and is shipped into every state in the U.S. as well as the Caribbean Islands, Mexico, Canada, Bermuda, Japan and other points all over the world."

Source: North Carolina Christmas Tree Association

 

Daniel Boone Native Gardens

The Daniel Boone Native Gardens, "dedicated to the preservation of Earth's treasures," is a spectacular attraction named for the great frontiersman who traveled through this area hundreds of years ago. (Photo and copy compliments Mountain Times.com.

Photo compliments Mountain Times.com

"Located in the Daniel Boone Park, adjacent to the Horn in the West and easily accessible from all incoming highways, this beautifully landscaped garden is home to a rare collection of North Carolina native plants; many are marked for easy identification and serve as material for education and conservation of the native plants that are fast becoming extinct. The garden also hosts a few non-native species, but mountain plants are the concentration.Throughout the gardens, plants and trees are marked with plates for easy identification. Highlights of the Garden include the native stone gatehouse, surrounded by iron gates forged by Daniel Boone IV, old black heart mountain cherry, a bog garden, ferns, a rhododendron thicket and the historical Squire Boone cabin."

Source: Mountain Times.com - Copy by Sherrie Norris

 

Shady Grove Gardens & Nursery

Shady-Grove provides for services such as Weddings or whatever your flower needs. (Photo compliments of Shady Grove.)

Photo compliments Shady Grove Gardens

" 'We Grow our Own' - We have a excellent selection, Oriental Lilies, Astilbe, Salvia, Hardy Geranium, Shasta Daisies, Ironweed, Sedum, Many Ground covers, Hydrangea, Lilac, Hosta, Hypericum, 80 varieties of Daylilies, New England Asters, Dianthus, Sedum & Sundrops, Monkshood, Filenpendula, Oakleaf Hydrangea, Viburnum, Garden Phlox, Baptisia, Creeping Phlox Japanese Iris, Obedient Plant, Native: Ginger, Honeysuckle, Bee Balm, Perennial Sunflowers, Purple Coneflower, Woodland Phlox and Helenium. 'Fresh Mountain Grown Cutflowers' - Offering a huge variety of bright colorful wildflowers. Available only from Shady Grove Gardens and Nursery, these flowers are locally grown using sustainable organic methods. Extremely fresh, cut to order, flowers last at least 1 week. Mixed bucketfuls are sold for $40. Specific varieties are available to florist and individuals alike. Call for changing availability, flowers are seasonal June through October. Garden fresh Wedding flowers."

Source: Shady Grove Gardens

Sugar Plum Farms

We pass by our beautiful North Carolina Fraser fir Christmas trees 10 to 12 times every year to ensure quality. Our trees have brought us recognition and we would love to share them with you.

Photo compliments of Sugar Plum Farms

" 'Choose & Cut' - Discover Sugar Plum Farms. You will find it to be the choose and cut tree farm that you have been looking for. We are located off highway 19-E near Plumtree, North Carolina. We are 12 miles North of Spruce Pine and 12 miles South of Elk Park. We are 2 miles off highway 19-E on Isaacs Branch Road, on top of Little Elk Mountain in beautiful Avery County, North Carolina. We have signs on highway 19-E to show you the way to our farm. Come and bring the whole family and stay awhile. We have all sizes of North Carolina Fraser fir trees to choose from. We furnish the saw to cut your tree or we will cut it for you and we will bail the tree. We will load and tie down your tree to insure a safe trip home for you and your tree. Wreaths, garland, and other greenery items are available."

Source: Sugar Plum Farms

Thistle Meadow Winery

All of the folks who visited us in Laurel Springs, NC loved the wine we made, and it seemed they fell into two camps: winemakers who were ready to purchase a wine kit, or wine lovers who didn't want to make their own wine but wanted to buy a case of ours.

Compliments Thistle Meadow Winery

"Located in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Thistle Meadow Winery offers individualized tours of our family-owned winery. Our tours include tastings of wines made from grapes grown around the world. We create a wide variety of red, white, and blush wines, ranging in taste from sweet to dry.Our wines are hand-crafted in small batches to ensure the highest quality. Two of our wines - Pinot Grigio and Bergamais - took home Gold Medals from the Mid-Atlantic Southeastern Wine Competition, held at the Dixie Classic Fair in October 2004. Our Vieux Chateau du Roi took a Silver Medal in a similar competition in 2003."

Source: Thistle Meadow Winery

Orchard at Altapass

\The history of our orchard is long and fascinating. Our trees grow right along the crest of the Blue Ridge, the Eastern Continental Divide. The gap on the east side, McKinney Gap, is the lowest passage through the Blue Ridge for a hundred miles.

Source: Orchard Of Altapass

'Featured in National Geographic'"The Orchard at Altapass is an Appalachian cultural and historical center celebrating the people, music, art, and natural beauty of the Blue Ridge mountains. Over 100 years old, the Orchard sits right on the Blue Ridge Parkway providing some of the most amazing scenery in North Carolina. Our Talented Staff serve up mountain grown apple products, authentic mountain music, local mountain arts, jams, jellies, sauces, sweets, gifts, and more. And don't forget apples! Come pick your own, or take home a bag we hand-picked from our own trees! Large tour groups and small groups alike are invited to take a hayride and gaze out at the picture-perfect views while listening to the stories that have shaped our area for centuries." - Source: Orchard Of Altapass Historial Center

 

Windy Gap Vineyards

Compliments Windy Gap Vineyards

"Our vineyards are divided into two distinct plots. The first plot, adjacent to Highway 421, was the old Redding family home place, inherited from Sandra’s mother. This land had lain fallow for close to 30 years and, as a result, is very fertile. The soil is classified as clay/loam and the gently sloping aspect of this vineyard gives us good drainage. During periods of drought (2001, 2002) the clay component of the soil holds enough water to enable the vines to produce a crop and survive. During normal years, the mineral content of the soil and the aspect allows excess water to flow away.

Our second vineyard plot, where the winery is located, was acquired from another Redding family member in 1999. This plot was used solely for harvesting hay for all of recent memory. It is, therefore, considered much less fertile but still shares the drainage aspect of the first vineyard plot."

Source: Windy Gap Vineyards

 

 

Shopping and other activies in the High Country of Western North Carolina.

Photo compliments of Blue Ridge Vacations

Shopping links are available at Blue Ridge Vacations. You can visit this or other sites when planning a vacation to the High Country of Western North Carolina

 

Lodging Accommodations Across Western North Carolina

 

All links to Western North Carolina are for information purposes only and provided for free to our Web site visitors. No fees have been paid or requested.

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