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Flat Top Trail

Intermediate Intermediate
 4.4 (30)
  1. Areas
  2. NC
  3. …West and Mountains
  4. …Blue Ridge Parkway (Highlands District)
  5. Moses Cone Park
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“The best bang for your buck in Moses Cone Park with excellent views throughout and at the Flat Top Fire Tower. ”

Brandon Thrower
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2.4

Miles

3.9

KM

Point to Point

4,553' 1,388 m

High

3,978' 1,212 m

Low

580' 177 m

Up

5' 1 m

Down

5%

Avg Grade (3°)

9%

Max Grade (5°)

Dogs Leashed

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

Family Friendly Grades are mostly gentle, and the paths are wide here, making it a great place for youngsters to explore!

Description

Like all trails in Moses Cone Park, this trail is a gravel surfaced carriage road that was originally meant for Moses Cone and his family to ride in their horse-drawn carriage to various sites on the property. This means the trail/gravel paths are closed to cars and make for great hiking!

This gravel trail begins at the underpass tunnel under the parkway and makes a gentle climb (albeit maybe the steepest in Moses Cone) up to spectacular views from mountain meadows and the Flat Top Fire Tower. A must hike if you're in the High Country.

Flora & Fauna

Grasses, oaks, maples and wildflowers in the summer.

Contacts

Land Manager: Blue Ridge Parkway

Shared By:

Brandon Thrower with improvements by Jean-Claude Linossi
Full Details

Trail Ratings

  4.4 from 30 votes

#1

in Moses Cone Park

#157

Overall
  4.4 from 30 votes
5 Star
53%
4 Star
37%
3 Star
10%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
0%
Trail Rankings

#1

in Moses Cone Park

#10

in North Carolina

#157

Overall
14 Views Last Month
3,508 Since Jun 21, 2017
Intermediate Intermediate
4%
24%
68%
4%
0%
0%
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Photos

Tower at the top.
Oct 22, 2019 near Blowing…, NC
View, looking down at the Outlet Mall in Blowing Rock.
Oct 22, 2019 near Blowing…, NC
Mountain Meadow
Jul 19, 2020 near Blowing…, NC
Grandfather Mountain as the clouds clear
Sep 26, 2020 near Blowing…, NC
Long Range View of Grandfather Mtn.
Jul 19, 2020 near Blowing…, NC
Tunnel
Oct 22, 2019 near Blowing…, NC

0 Comments

Weather

Current Trail Conditions

Unknown
Add Your Check-In

Check-Ins

Oct 14, 2025
Dan Grecu
Nov 3, 2024
Tom Hedman
5.2mi — 2h 12m
Jun 30, 2021
AJ M
Cone Cemetary
Jun 26, 2021
Daniel daniel.ryan.paulsen@gmail.com
Apr 23, 2021
Olivia Rice
Jan 4, 2021
Drew Sigmon
5mi — 2h 05m
Oct 22, 2020
Brian L
4.8mi
Sep 26, 2020
Drew Sigmon
5.8mi — 2h 00m

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