Trail Towns: Blowing Rock, Boone
Blowing Rock is a year-round mountain destination in NC’s High Country known as the Crown of the Blue Ridge. At nearly 4,000 feet in elevation, it sits on the Blue Ridge Parkway astride the Eastern Continental Divide. The town remains surrounded by rugged and unspoiled natural beauty, wrapped in the cool mountain breezes that gave the town its name. Miles of protected natural spaces in adjacent national forests, state parks, national park lands, and land trusts offer hiking, canoeing, horseback riding, mountain and road cycling, rock climbing, fishing and more. Residents often seek to protect this beauty that beckoned them and local passions for stewardship run deep; organizations like the local historical society, garden club, preservation foundations and land conservancies are strongly supported and appreciated. The town itself offers plenty of amenities– lodging, dining, shopping, outfitters, arts and culture – a perfect base of exploration for lovers of the great outdoors.
in the Blowing Rock Area
From relaxing wanders to satisfying climbs, the trails near Blowing Rock offer incredible variety. The mountain town is surrounded by national forest and national park lands, full of paths to explore.
Find serenity around Bass Lake Trail, an accessible, scenic loop. Indulge curiosity on the History
Walk. Waterfalls await on Glen Burney Trail, a steep hike from downtown into the gorge below. The headwaters of the New River are in Blowing Rock; tube and kayak deeper waters downstream. Cycle along the Blue Ridge Parkway to cross the renowned Linn Cove Viaduct. Take a horseback tour of the
Cone trails. More adventures await!
Hiking
Mountain Biking
Road Cycling
Paved Greenway
Horseback Riding
Fishing
Cultural Or Walking Tours
Important note: Accessible trails are highlighted in blue!
Trail name
Trail town
Activities
Moses Cone Park Trail System
Blowing Rock
Glen Burney Trail
Blowing Rock
Middle Fork Greenway
Blowing Rock, Boone
Julian Price Park Trail System
Blowing Rock
Classic 221 & BRP Loop
Blowing Rock
Blowing Rock History Walk
Blowing Rock
Rocky Knob Park Trails
Boone
At Outdoor NC, we are dedicated to promoting accessibility for all visitors, regardless of their abilities. We strive to improve the accessibility of our offerings and share this information through our various platforms, including our Trail Town Guide. We collaborate with state, regional, local and private-sector partners to make North Carolina’s destinations and outdoor spaces easier to access.
In this guide "Accessible" means
- This guide includes accessible, easy, moderate and difficult trails which may be suitable for, or exceed, anyone’s ability. Plan Ahead and Be Prepared.
- For this guide, trails which are marked as “accessible” are ADA compliant (firm, stable surface that is at least 36 inches wide). This includes paved greenways, hard pack pathways and boardwalks. It does not mean that these trails are without obstacles.
- Beyond ADA compliant trails, this guide lists many opportunities that are suitable for visitors of all abilities which include walking tours and driving trails. Additionally, check with local land managers for information on adaptive mountain bike access for mountain biking and road cycling trails.
- We encourage all visitors to utilize the provided trail websites and other local resources to become familiar with trail descriptions, site facilities and potential obstacles, so you know what to expect and can make the best determination for your skill and abilities.
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