(Keywords: Hiking - North Carolina)

Grandfather Mountain

Featuring the Daniel Boone Scout Trail

To hike up Grandfather Mountain, and to take in the vista from Calloway Peak, is to achieve and be rewarded like in no other place in western Carolina. The Daniel Boone Scout Trail climbs about 2,000 feet over 3 miles to the summit (5,964'), the highest point in the Blue Ridge Mountain Range. Just before the top, ladders and cables help you make the final ascent. At the top enjoy 360° panoramic views of the surrounding mountains. Permit required. Download the GPS Map for permit location, loop options and alternate trailheads.

Click on the binoculars to see a screenshot of Google Earth showing the backcountry hiking trails up the east side of Grandfather Mountain. GoogleEarth_Image.jpg (Approx. 135 KB) opens in a new window.

GPS Map

Download the free GPS Map in GPS eXchange (.gpx) file format, which can be read and transferred to your GPS using free software. (The .gpx file will appear in a new window where you can File > Save as... on your computer)

GPS Map Details

File Name mountain.gpx
File Size: 91 KB
Revised: 15 January 2008
Class A Data
Waypoints: 14 points of interest, including: parking, trailheads, vistas, and campsites, including:

GFM000 - Grandfather Mountain Country Store - permit location - at the junction of US 221 and the Holloway Mountain road.
GMF001 - Boone Fork Parking Area at mile 299.9 on the Blue Ridge Parkway.
GFM003- Daniel Boone Scout Trail trailhead.
GFM004 - Flat Rock vista with views of the Boone bowl below and Calloway Peak above.
GFM010 - Calloway Peak with 360° panoramic views of the surrounding mountain

Routes/Tracks:

Tanawha Trail connects the parking areas with the Nuwati and Daniel Boone Scout Trailheads.

Daniel Boone Scout Trail - Ascending about 2,000 feet over 3 miles, to Calloway Peak.

Cragway Trail - links Nuwati and Boone Trails and makes a fine loop-hike.

Nuwati Trail - follows the print of an old logging road.

Asutsi Trail - Winter access to the East Side Trails.

Adventure Travel Tip

This is a real mountain and hiking near the top can be treacherous, especially in winter when ice frequently covers the ladders leading to the top of Calloway Peak. When the Blue Ridge Parkway is closed, the alternate trail access point is the parking area across from Serenity Farms on US221 (Waypoint# GFM013).

Reference

Special thanks to Tim Johnson, environmental educator, avid hiker, and naturalist for providing the GPS data, descriptive text and photo for this GPS map of Grandfather Mountain.