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Green Knob Trail

RECOMMENDED ROUTE
Intermediate Intermediate
 4.4 (32)
  1. Areas
  2. NC
  3. …West and Mountains
  4. …Blue Ridge Parkway (Highlands District)
  5. Julian Price Memorial Park
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“A diverse trail with great views, open fields, and multiple creek crossings packed into 2.1 miles. ”

Alex Waterworth
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Map Key

2.1

Miles

3.4

KM

Loop

3,870' 1,180 m

High

3,432' 1,046 m

Low

464' 142 m

Up

463' 141 m

Down

8%

Avg Grade (5°)

26%

Max Grade (15°)

Dogs Leashed

Features Fall Colors · Lake · River/Creek · Views · Wildflowers · Wildlife

Overview

This trail features a variety of terrain packed into a moderately strenuous 2.3 miles. The trail changes dramatically along the way, featuring dense rhododendron tunnels, open pastures, creek crossings, small waterfalls and magnificent long range views of Grandfather Mountain.

Need to Know

Park at the Sims Pond overlook at mile post 295.7 on the Blue Ridge Parkway. You can also park at the Sim's Creek overlook at milepost 295.2 and take a short access trail to the main loop. Sturdy shoes/boots are a must. There are multiple creek crossings with slippery roots and rocky sections. There is a very steep 1/4-mile section around mile 2 which is treacherous when wet. Keep an eye out for bulls in the pasture.

Description

This 2.3-mile trail is one of the best short hikes in the area. Start from the Sim's Pond overlook, with the recommended direction counter-clockwise. For the first mile or so, the trail winds around Sim's Pond and continues under the massive parkway bridge through rhododendron tunnels, several creek crossings and small waterfalls. The trail then follows the creek bed up the valley through dense foliage with lots of roots, rocks, and a few steep sections.

Around the 1.2 mile mark, the trail opens into a magnificent pasture as it winds to the top of Green Knob. The Pasture is stunning, but long range views are limited due to the surrounding trees. From here, the trail returns to the forest and descends back down to Sim's Pond with a great view of Grandfather Mountain. This stretch contains an extremely steep section that can be treacherous when wet.

Contacts

Land Manager: Blue Ridge Parkway

Shared By:

Alex Waterworth
Full Details

Trail Ratings

  4.4 from 32 votes

#1

in Julian Price Memorial Park

#409

Overall
  4.4 from 32 votes
5 Star
47%
4 Star
44%
3 Star
9%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
0%
Recommended Route Rankings

#1

in Julian Price Memorial…

#14

in North Carolina

#409

Overall
60 Views Last Month
10,990 Since May 30, 2015
Intermediate Intermediate
3%
3%
60%
17%
17%
0%
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Photos

Looking across the field to Grandfather Mountain.
Jun 4, 2015 near Blowing…, NC
Out of the creek bed and into the pasture.
Jun 4, 2015 near Blowing…, NC
Kids and cows in the meadow on Green Knob.
Jul 28, 2019 near Blowing…, NC
First half of trail follows beautiful mountain stream.
Sep 24, 2021 near Blowing…, NC
Climbing the creek bed.
Jun 4, 2015 near Blowing…, NC
One of the many creek crossings along the Green Knob Trail.
Jun 4, 2015 near Blowing…, NC

1 Comment

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Weather

Current Trail Conditions

Unknown
Add Your Check-In

Check-Ins

Feb 5, 2023
Daria Robinson
1h 00m
Aug 10, 2021
Regan Lang
10h 56m
Mar 30, 2021
Stowe Perry
Great! A few spots to rock hop over the creek
Mar 23, 2021
Jennifer Marquardt
Misty and cloudy, but not a bad day. kinda breezy near in the meadows. 3.4mi — 1h 56m
Mar 9, 2021
Azoraa Tre'lok
2.2mi — 2h 00m
Aug 2, 2020
Drew Sigmon
2.4mi — 1h 00m
Jun 29, 2020
Ali Morrow
Jun 27, 2020
Michelle Jones

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