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This trail is, in one word, intense! The trail has super exposed section on ladders, killer views, and is just awesome!


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2.0

Miles

3.3

KM

Point to Point

5,893' 1,796 m

High

5,255' 1,602 m

Low

1,136' 346 m

Up

503' 153 m

Down

15%

Avg Grade (9°)

49%

Max Grade (26°)

Dogs Leashed

Features Birding · Cave · Fall Colors · Spring · Views · Wildflowers · Wildlife

Description

This trail is crazy intense, crossing an amazing ridgeline with exposed section on ladders and incredible views. Expect highly technical alpine terrain, multiple ladders on exposed cliffs, cables to help assist you one your way up slick rocks, and lots of scrambling. The trail might be short, but it doesn't lack in adventure and views!

Contacts

Shared By:

Brandon Thrower

Trail Ratings

  4.8 from 32 votes

#93

Overall
  4.8 from 32 votes
5 Star
84%
4 Star
9%
3 Star
3%
2 Star
3%
1 Star
0%
Trail Rankings

#93

Overall
17 Views Last Month
3,835 Since Sep 13, 2016
Difficult Difficult

0%
0%
3%
3%
52%
41%

Photos

Looking out near McRae Peak.
Jul 31, 2017 near Linville, NC
The beautiful view right after we climbed the final ladder!! Was a bit challenging trying to overcome my fear of heights but was definitely worth the views
Aug 8, 2019 near Linville, NC
Climbing back down the ladders and Cliffside...
Aug 8, 2019 near Linville, NC
Looking out onto the high country from one of many ladders on the trail.
Jul 31, 2017 near Linville, NC
At the end of grandfather mountain! Great that they have a team up there to keep everyone safe near the edges.
Aug 8, 2019 near Linville, NC
Awesome fog cloud slowly coming into the view
Aug 8, 2019 near Linville, NC
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Weather


Current Trail Conditions

All Clear 55 days ago
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Check-Ins

May 24, 2025
Anonymous
parked at Black Rock. 0.4 miles to swinging bridge and from there 2.5 miles to calloway peak. then 2.5 miles back 2.5mi
Apr 13, 2024
Anurag S
Moving time was 3h 13m. Took a 30+lbs backpack. Difficult and at-times dangerous terrain. Lots of ladders and craggy cliffs. Some metal ropes for help 5.1mi — 6h 20m
Sep 4, 2022
Tristan Hamilton
5mi — 5h 00m
Oct 20, 2021
Kirk Larrabee
Up Grandfather to Calloway, back via Underwood. Had a great time! Instant classic! 5.6mi — 4h 40m
Jun 19, 2021
Suzette Gachez Brooks
Beautiful and Intense! 1.9mi — 1h 33m
May 15, 2021
Dalen Allee
Mar 14, 2021
Paul H
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