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Experience Grandfather Mountain's two magnificent peaks.


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Map Key

9.1

Miles

14.6

KM

Out and Back

5,889' 1,795 m

High

3,832' 1,168 m

Low

2,827' 862 m

Up

2,827' 862 m

Down

12%

Avg Grade (7°)

82%

Max Grade (39°)

Dogs Leashed

Features Cave · Commonly Backpacked · River/Creek · Spring · Views · Wildflowers

This can be closed during severe weather.

Overview

Summit Grandfather Mountain's two peaks starting from the valley down below. This strenuous hike begins from the Profile Trail parking lot, which has recently been relocated, off Highway 105. From the parking lot you'll take Profile Trail to the Grandfather Trail. While ascending the Profile Trail you'll experience the beginnings of the Watauga River, Profile View Overlook, and Shanty Springs. Once to the top of Profile Trail you have the choice whether to tackle MacRae Peak or Calloway Peak first.

Description

Whether you're looking for views, a challenge, exercise, or an experience, this high country classic has it all. Starting from the Profile Trail parking lot gives you free access to Grandfather Mountain State Park. The hike starts off easy along the Profile Trail as it meanders along the beginning of the Watauga River. As Profile Trail begins to separate from the river, the grade increases. Around the 1.5 mile mark you'll come to the Foscoe View. This is a good time to take advantage of the bench at the viewpoint and rest up.

From this point on, the trail gets even steeper as you work you way past Profile View and onto Shanty Springs around 2.5 miles in. Shanty Springs usually has running spring water year round. The Springs area is well shaded and always feels a little cooler than the rest of the hike. From Shanty Springs, you'll head to the intersection with the Grandfather Mountain Trail. This is the steepest part of the Profile Trail consisting almost totally of rock stairs and obstacles.

Now that you're at the intersection of the Profile Trail and the Grandfather Trail you have two choices: bear right to summit MacRae Peak first or left for Calloway Peak first. MacRae is the longer and harder of the two options. For this description I'm going to describe doing both, starting with MacRae.

From the intersection heading to MacRae Peak, you'll climb up and down along the ridgeline of Grandfather Mountain. The hike to the peak has ladders, rope-assisted climbs, and areas of exposure. At the intersection of the Grandfather Trail and the Underwood Trail, stay left on Grandfather Trail. The hardest part of the trek is a steep ~200 foot notch that has to be climbed down right before the peak. After a little more climbing, you'll reach the final ladder that takes you to the peak. Atop MacRae Peak, at 5844 feet you get un-obstructed 360-degree views of the surrounding mountains. On the peak there are usually some very opportunistic Dark Eyed Junco birds that are looking for your snack crumbs.

Once you have taken in MacRae Peak you'll head back to the intersection of the Grandfather Trail and the Profile Trail.

From here you'll take a short hike to the top of Calloway Peak. After the hike to MacRae this will feel like a piece of cake. The hike to the peak is much easier than MacRae and only has a couple ladders. Atop Calloway, you can take in the view at Grandfather Mountain's tallest peak at 5946 feet.

From here you'll descend 2000 feet back to the parking lot via the Profile Trail.

Contacts

Shared By:

J.d. McNoldy

Trail Ratings

  4.9 from 17 votes

#519

Overall
  4.9 from 17 votes
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#519

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Photos

Looking out near McRae Peak.
Jul 31, 2017 near Linville, NC
Grandfather Mountain in the midst of the early spring foliage (or lack thereof) .
Mar 19, 2019 near Foscoe, 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
The Mountain in the spring
May 2, 2018 near Linville, 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

Sep 30, 2023
Catarina Cutruneo
Sep 10, 2023
Doug Maslowski
Jul 9, 2023
Robyn Gould
Oct 15, 2022
Shengwei Zhang
12mi — 8h 00m
Jun 22, 2022
Celia Tice
10mi — 4h 02m
Jul 4, 2021
Branden OHara
Jan 3, 2021
Kevin Heimbrook
Icy, foggy, and windy on the peaks 9.1mi — 7h 30m
Nov 2, 2020
Scott Harsh
Elevation gain - 2700 ft. Temp below 20 degrees. Wind was howling. Great hike!! 7.5mi — 2h 17m
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