Name: Tanawha Trail
Rating: 4.6

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Dogs Unknown

Features Birding · Cave · Fall Colors · Lake · River/Creek · Spring · Views · Waterfall · Wildflowers · Wildlife

Overview

Built in 1993 at a cost of $750,000, The Tanawha Trail (Cherokee for fabulous hawk) is epic in every way. Expect everything from see-forever views atop craggy outcroppings to dense hardwood forests teaming with waterfalls. Beautiful bridges are photo worthy and make most creek crossings a breeze. Multiple access points along the always nearby Blue Ridge Parkway make it easy to shorten your trip or bail out if things are going poorly.

Description

Start at Beacon Heights, milepost 305.2 on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Most will do this as a one way journey. If so, leave another car or arrange for a ride from the traditional trail terminus near Price Lake. Stash this car either at Boone Fork Overlook, milepost 297.2 or Boone Fork Picnic Area, less than a mile further down the parkway. Reversing directions makes for a more strenuous journey.

Contacts

Land Manager: NPS - Blue Ridge Parkway

Shared By:

Eric Heistand

Full Details

Trail Ratings

4.6 from 19 votes

#2

in Grandfather

#613

Overall

4.6 from 19 votes

5 Star		63%
4 Star		37%
3 Star		0%
2 Star		0%
1 Star		0%

Recommended Route Rankings

27 Views Last Month

8,433 Since Mar 13, 2016

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Photos

Interesting rock formation next to the boardwalk protecting the delicate ecosystems on top of the ridge.

Mar 25, 2016 near Foscoe, NC

Jun 14, 2020 near Foscoe, NC

Rainy day up in the clouds overlooking the trail to Lin cove

Jun 14, 2020 near Foscoe, NC

Jul 22, 2020 near Linville, NC

Outcrop for a viewing and rest midway up.

Jul 22, 2020 near Linville, NC

Aug 28, 2018 near Linville, NC

2 Comments

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Current Trail Conditions

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Check-Ins

Mar 30, 2024

Kathleen Burroughs

13.4mi — 3h 31m

Mar 14, 2023

Selby Weeks

Sep 20, 2022

Jennifer Marquardt

From Price Park Picnic Area to Cold Prong Overlook and back. Love Holloway Mountain area!! 9.1mi

May 6, 2022

Michelle Hausman

Did full trail, parked at Beacon and Price Lake. Boulder Field section is not well marked, head straight across (NOT down) to catch the trail. 13.2mi — 8h 00m

Sep 23, 2020

Melissa Anderson

Stack rock to rough ridge; beautiful weather, sites and views! — 2h 50m

Jul 27, 2020

Todd Burgman

May 25, 2019

Mari Mycek

Mikal gluten 3.5mi — 2h 30m

Sep 8, 2018

Jack Bert P

Sep 5, 2018

Mike Atkins

Aug 25, 2018

George Clark

Nice to be able to enter at multiple parking lots. We hiked from Linn Cove to Rough Ridge. A bit more challenging terrain than expected. 2.7mi

Aug 4, 2018

Alexander Albert

Entered at mile 302.8 for rough ridge overlook. Low hanging clouds today made for a floating feeling 1mi

Jul 21, 2018

Jon Larson

Jul 7, 2018

Mike Atkins

Jun 28, 2018

Drew Sigmon

4.7mi

Dec 29, 2017

Justin Irene

5mi

Oct 14, 2017

Soong Lee

Long tiring hike Crowded around tough ridge

Sep 16, 2017

Ben Hopkins

Apr 15, 2017

Mike Patel

Feb 3, 2017

Kathryn K

run/ hike with carmen 13mi

Mar 24, 2016

Charles Pulse

Great segment of the Tanawha Trail. Started at Rough Ridge parking lot. 2.6mi — 1h 35m

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Tanawha Trail

“The Blue Ridge Parkway for trail those visitors who want a classic, mountain trail. ”

13.3

21.3

Point to Point

4,669' 1,423 m

3,403' 1,037 m

1,131' 345 m

1,956' 596 m

4%

28%

Toolbox

Know This Trail?

Dogs Unknown

Features Birding · Cave · Fall Colors · Lake · River/Creek · Spring · Views · Waterfall · Wildflowers · Wildlife

Overview

Description

Contacts

Shared By:

Trail Ratings

#2

#613

#2

#19

#613

Photos

2 Comments

Comment Type:

Weather

Current Trail Conditions

Check-Ins

Nearby Recommended Routes

Rough Ridge

Green Knob Trail

Wet'n'Wild Harper Creek Loop

China Creek / Thunderhole Loop

Sinkhole Challenge

Mount Mitchell - Black Mountain Crest Trail #179

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