For a wonderful short hike, head up the hour-long Erwin’s View Trail to spectacular Linville Falls. This moderate 1.6-mile round-trip offers great close-up views of the Linville River as it sweeps over two separate falls. Climb the wooded hillside beyond for magnificent long-range panoramas back over the falls and, downstream, to where the river crashes a further 2000ft to enter the Linville Gorge Wilderness Area. Swimming is forbidden at the falls.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby attractions

1. Grandfather Mountain

12.6 MILES

The highest of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Grandfather Mountain looms north of the parkway 20 miles southwest of Blowing Rock. As a visitor destination, it…

2. Roan Mountain State Park

17.19 MILES

This state park encompasses 2006 acres of southern Appalachian forest at the base of 6285ft Roan Mountain. Wildflower hunters arrive in mid- to late June…

3. Foggy Mountain Gem Mine

20.54 MILES

If you’re traveling with kids or are a wannabe prospector yourself, stop 3 miles west of Boone to pan for semiprecious stones. Several gem-mining spots…

4. Tweetsie Railroad

21.6 MILES

At this much-loved Wild West–themed amusement park, a 1917 coal-fired steam train chugs on a 3-mile loop past heroic cowboys and marauding Indians.

5. Doc Watson Statue

22.75 MILES

Bluegrass legend Doc Watson was born 10 miles east of Boone in 1923. He’s commemorated by this bronze statue downtown, which depicts him seated and…

6. Mount Mitchell State Park

23.44 MILES

A major decision awaits visitors to North Carolina’s original state park. Will you drive up Mount Mitchell, at 6684ft the highest peak east of the…