Name: Profile Trail
Rating: 4.6

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Dogs Leashed

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

Closes during inclement winter weather.

Description

The Profile Trail (marked with Orange blazes) begins at 4198 NC Highway 105 N, Banner Elk NC (GPS: 36.119767, -81.835001) and leads to Calloway Gap on The Grandfather Trail (Blue blazes).

You'll begin by working your way along the Watauga River under a thick forest. The first 1 mile is fairly easy on hardpacked dirt and wood steps and is frequented by less adventurous hikers. After about 1 mile the path gets more narrow and you transition to rock steps. Beginning around Foscoe View (approximately 2.2 miles) the climb becomes much more difficult (steep). At 3.2 miles you arrive at Shanty Spring, with your hike transitioning into a trail of tumble-down rock that joins the Grandfather Trail after a strenuous climb of 0.4 miles. You transition out of hardwoods and into Canadian firs. This upper section is very steep and rocky, and when wet it can be quite dangerous.

Around the 2.5 mile mark there are two established backcountry camping spots - at least one with food bag rigging.

Once you have reached the end of Profile Trail you are at a crossroads you can take Grandfather Trail two ways: left to Calloway Peak (0.4 miles), or right to MacRae Peak (approx. 1 mile), and ultimately the Swinging Bridge (2 miles).

Contacts

Land Manager: North Carolina State Parks: Grandfather Mountain

Shared By:

J.d. McNoldy with improvements by eric pulaski

Full Details

Trail Ratings

4.6 from 35 votes

#1

in Grandfather Mountain State Park

#92

Overall

4.6 from 35 votes

5 Star		69%
4 Star		26%
3 Star		6%
2 Star		0%
1 Star		0%

Trail Rankings

25 Views Last Month

5,892 Since Jul 23, 2016

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Photos

Grandfather Mountain in the midst of the early spring foliage (or lack thereof) .

Mar 19, 2019 near Foscoe, NC

View from Foscoe View. Signage (not pictured) identifies the peaks in the distance.

Aug 13, 2018 near Foscoe, NC

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Check-Ins

Apr 13, 2024

Anurag S

Not easy with a 30+lbs backpack. Took plenty of breaks to rest after steep sections. Moving time was 1h 57m. Trail had ice & snow. Rocky, steep. 3.2mi — 2h 52m

Sep 4, 2022

Jena Turner

3.5mi

Jul 6, 2021

Richard Lyon

Lead into grandfather mountain trail!

Nov 13, 2020

So Topper

Jun 17, 2020

Howard McGee

Feb 1, 2020

Anthony Figurelli

Profile Trail, Alpine Meadow, Hi-Balsam Shelter, Alpine Meadow, overnight, then out. Snowy conditions, especially towards top. Crampons very helpful.

Oct 11, 2019

Brian Hindman

Sep 27, 2019

Grace Erker

7mi — 6h 00m

Sep 12, 2019

Austin Bush

Aug 31, 2019

Mike Patel

Aug 16, 2019

Paul Catlin

Aug 4, 2019

Joshua Robb Layno

One of the toughest hikes/climbs around due to a rolling ascend up to 2 miles then shoots up straight with rocks in the last mile and a half. 4.7mi — 3h 27m

Aug 2, 2019

Chase Deeney

Jul 19, 2019

eric pulaski

with a 30# ruck to Calloway Peak. the GF map printed 12/17 indicates Profile Trail is 3.6, plus 0.4 to Calloway 8mi — 4h 30m

Jun 30, 2019

Phil York

Awesome trail, well maintained, cool boot cleaning station at trailhead. Smooth, steady gradient. Saw a little mole making its way near the trail :) 3.4mi — 1h 20m

Jun 2, 2019

Dan Patton

Tag teamed with the wife today! 7.3mi — 3h 50m

May 14, 2019

Matthew Bernier

Apr 27, 2019

Perry Arlia

this is a really good trail, but don't take it lightly. 2.8mi — 8h 00m

Apr 6, 2019

Fred Roxo

Mar 18, 2019

Connor Parish

Fairly average trail with a few good views, namely the Profile and Foscoe views. Starts off easy but ramps up the difficulty towards the end. 3.6mi — 3h 51m

Aug 14, 2018

Clark Maness

2.8mi

Aug 13, 2018

Jennifer Marquardt

New parking/trailhead has added .5mi at the beginning of the trail & maps & signage are from the old trailhead. Can be confusing if you don't know. 6.2mi — 3h 00m

Jul 21, 2018

Jessie Nichols

Campin

Jul 1, 2018

Greg F

2.8mi

Jun 28, 2018

Rayne Britt

The view from Foscoe view at dusk is wonderful, lights twinkling in the distance. 2.8mi

May 12, 2018

Rayne Britt

15mi

Apr 4, 2018

Jon Robinson

Easiest climb to the peak out of the 3 peaks

Apr 2, 2018

Kayla McFadden

Steep climb with travers rocks. Bring plenty of food and water. 2.8mi

Dec 17, 2017

Jessica Cossette

2.8mi

Dec 16, 2017

Jessica Cossette

2.8mi

Sep 16, 2017

Ginger Gardiner

Jul 29, 2017

Rhys Potts

Jul 19, 2017

Kimberly Pacetti

Jul 8, 2017

Mike Patel

2.8mi

Jul 6, 2017

Hilary Castles

Jul 4, 2017

Matthew Meek

THERE IS A NEW PARKING LOT trail is now 4 miles to callaway peak, new trail is extremely easy flat and wide and features a new metal bridge 8mi

Jun 10, 2017

Steven Bergman

Dave's bachelor party hike

Jun 3, 2017

Ginger Gardiner

Jun 1, 2017

Caroline Miller

Hiked out and back May 23, to start my Collegiate Peaks training. Crushed it! 5.6mi

Apr 16, 2017

John Misenheimer

7mi

Mar 25, 2017

Justin Isberg

Continued our hike to Calloway Peak. Tough climb towards the top but worth every second. 7.2mi

Feb 25, 2017

Evan Johnson

Oct 19, 2016

Onkar Patil

It was beautiful in peak fall colors. It was almost stormy winds at the top where winds speeds reached 100mph. 7.1mi

Oct 12, 2016

Ryan Meling

Jul 3, 2012

Drew Sigmon

Aug 23, 2011

Jonathan M

Aug 23, 2011

Drew Sigmon

7.2mi

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Profile Trail

“A beautiful Grandfather Mountain trail that leads into the park from Hwy 105. ”

3.5

5.7

Point to Point

5,641' 1,719 m

3,833' 1,168 m

1,832' 558 m

230' 70 m

11%

85%

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Know This Trail?

Dogs Leashed

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

Description

Contacts

Shared By:

Trail Ratings

#1

#92

#1

#6

#92

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Nearby Recommended Routes

MacRae Peak Out and Back

Wet'n'Wild Harper Creek Loop

The Raiders of the Pines Fitness Loop

Carvers Gap to Grassy Ridge Bald

Linville Gorge Wilderness Loop

Laurel Falls Out and Back from Dennis Cove

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