Hiking Project Logo
Climb
MTB
Hike
Trailrun
Ski
Limited Time70% OffonX Backcountry

Grandfather Trail

Difficult Difficult
 4.8 (32)
  1. Areas
  2. NC
  3. …West and Mountains
  4. …Grandfather
  5. Grandfather Mountain Attraction Area
Explore in 3D
Use onX Backcountry to explore the terrain in 3D, view recent satellite imagery, and more. Now available in onX Backcountry Mobile apps! For more information see this post.
Previous Next

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

Brandon Thrower
Your Rating: Rating Rating Rating Rating Rating      Clear Rating
Your Difficulty:
Your Favorites: Add To-Do · Your List

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

Land Manager: North Carolina State Parks: Grandfather Mountain

Shared By:

Brandon Thrower
Full Details

Trail Ratings

  4.8 from 32 votes

#1

in Grandfather Mountain Attraction Area

#93

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

#1

in Grandfather Mountain A…

#7

in North Carolina

#93

Overall
17 Views Last Month
3,835 Since Sep 13, 2016
Difficult Difficult
0%
0%
3%
3%
52%
41%
Add a Photo

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

2 Comments

Sort by: Oldest Drop down
Newest Oldest Popular
loading

Weather

Current Trail Conditions

Minor Issues 14 days ago
Add Your Check-In

Check-Ins

May 24, 2025
Anonymous
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 31, 2021
Daniel daniel.ryan.paulsen@gmail.com
May 15, 2021
Dalen Allee

Nearby Recommended Routes

Welcome

Join the Community! It's FREE

Already have an account? Login to close this notice.

Get Started