Charlotteans are hot!! In September, they are also usually humid, sweaty and generally miserable if they spend any time outdoors. So, if you ran in a store to run an errand or grab a bite to eat and your car thermometer registers some absurd triple-digit number, then head west! And fast! Less than three hours away, the Blue Ridge Parkway is calling you!
Charlotte is a quick trip from several great mountain retreats. Asheville and Boone are an easy drive and you can access a wide variety of trails, hikes, and scenic vistas. Of course, you can ride your bike on the Parkway and take your dog on hikes (just keep your pooch on a leash and clean up after him). Average Joe spends as much time as possible in the mountains, so let me suggest a few good hikes.
Asheville area – Asheville is well known as a tourist destination, so make it a weekend and see it all. On the Blue Ridge Parkway, nearby sights include Craggy Gardens, the Folk Art Center, Mount Mitchell and the Mount Pisgah summit. Here are three hikes for hikers of all levels to enjoy.
Easy – for a quick leg stretcher, try the Craggy Gardens trail at mile marker 364. At just under a mile, even small children and older grandparents can enjoy the beautiful plants and cool air.
Moderate – Average Joe loves to combine two of his favorite activities – eating and hiking! If you want a great picnic spot, head up the Parkway to mile marker 339 and the Crabtree Falls Loop trail. This two mile hike won’t disappoint. The trail is a loop and the Crabtree Falls are just past the halfway point. They have picnic tables and several great places to take pictures. You can even get in the water if you want to sample the cool stream.Strenuous – Many to choose from in this area, but the 7.5 mile Mountain to the Sea trail that starts at the Folk Art Center (MM 365) is a great hike to get your blood pumping. This is a point-to-point hike, so plan your logistics accordingly. Pick up a map at the Center and pay attention to the signs on the trail – you can use this trail to walk all the way to the coast!
Boone area – This area of the Blue Ridge Parkway has so much to offer. In one day, you can shop in Blowing Rock, see Grandfather Mountain and eat dinner at the famous Daniel Boone Inn located on the Appalachian State University campus in Boone! There are plenty of activities for the whole family. Here are some local hikes to enjoy.
Easy – Moses H Cone Memorial Park at mile marker 294 spans over 3600 gorgeous acres. With nature trails, horseback riding, arts and crafts or just sitting on the expansive porch in a rocking chair to take in the view, the Cone house and park are easy to get to and hard to forget.
Moderate – At mile marker 297, Julian Price Lake is a fantastic place to spend the day. A 2.3 mile loop around the lake allows for constant changing views. You can take a hike, have a picnic, rent a boat, do some fishing or do some people watching. Price Lake has plenty of parking and is so close to the Moses Cone Park, you could easily do them both on the same day.
Strenuous – The Boone Fork trail at mile marker 296 is challenging, but offers plenty of variety. This 5 mile trail wanders through the forest, crosses a stream and passes through a huge open meadow. A walking stick is helpful on a hike like this one.
Average Joe could go on for hours about his favorite hikes and sights in the North Carolina mountains, (He hasn’t even mentioned Mt Mitchell, Linville Falls, Flat Rock Mountain or Grandmother mountain…) but that would defeat the purpose! It is your adventure that awaits! Plan a day trip or a weekend, pack your bathing suit and comfortable tennis or hiking shoes and head to where 85 degrees is considered a heat wave. Here are some great websites to help you get started:
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