by admin | Nov 26, 2017 | Easy Hiking Trails, Easy/Moderate Hiking Trails, Hiking By Difficulty, Hiking By Distance, Hiking National Parks, Hiking Trails - Over 1.0 Mile, Hiking Trails - Over 2.0 Miles, Hiking Trails - Over 3.0 Miles, Hiking Trails - Under 1.0 Mile, Hiking Trails Blue Ridge Parkway VA, Overlook Hiking Trails, State Park Hiking Trails, Strenuous Hiking Trails, Virginia Overlook Mountain Trails, Virginia State Park Trails, Virginia Visitor Center Trails, Visitor Center Hiking Trails
Hiking Humpback Rocks is a relatively short hike following a 2.0-mile (3.2 km) trail loop. With a roughly 45-minute hike to ascend 740 feet (230 m) to the peak, and a 20-25-minute descent, this ranks as one of the shorter hikes along the Blue Ridge, however it remains one of the most rewarding. The peak affords a spectacular 360-degree view of the surrounding terrain. To the north you can see into the southern section of Shenandoah National Park, to the east check out the patchwork of farms, to the southwest you see thick woods and mountain ridges of the George Washington National Forest.
Hikers may continue to follow the Trail for .5 miles (0.80 km), passing along the top of a cliff with views to the south and east before descending 1.2 miles (1.9 km) to a blue blaze trail. This trail leads .3 miles (0.48 km) into the Humpback Rocks Picnic Area. The distance between Humpback Gap and the Humpback Rocks Picnic Area is 3.6 miles (5.8 km). A map of the hike and of the Humpback Gap Overlook is available through the Blue Ridge Parkway website.
Continuing past Humpback Rocks itself, the summit of Humpback Mountain is only a few minutes further. The Appalachian Trail is only a short hike to the north, at milepost 6.
The Humpback Rocks Visitors Center is located at milepost 5.8, six miles south of the Rockfish Gap Interchange of I-64 and US 250. It is most easily accessed by either one of these two highways. Head south on the Blue Ridge Parkway for 5.8 miles (9.3 km) to reach the Humpback Rocks Visitors Center, or continue another 0.2 miles (0.32 km) to arrive at the Humpback Gap parking area on the left.
The Appalachian Trail can also be accessed from the Humpback Gap parking area. Southbound hikers can reach it by continuing south on the Humpback Rocks trail. Northbound hikers can reach it taking the one mile (1.6 km) blue blazed path at the northern end of the parking lot, or the one mile (1.6 km) white blazed path just off of the Howardsville Turnpike.
by admin | Dec 31, 2015 | Easy/Moderate Hiking Trails, Georgia Mountain Hiking Trails, Georgia Waterfall Trails, Hiking By Activity, Hiking By Difficulty, Hiking By Distance, Hiking Trail Guides by State, Hiking Trails - Under 1.0 Mile, Waterfall Hiking Trails
Minnehaha Falls is a half-mile waterfall hike in the North Georgia Mountains, and is a must see when you are in the area and want to stretch your legs. Minnehaha Falls is a series of cascades located on Falls Creek in Rabun County, Georgia. The waterfalls near Lake Rabun and inside the Chattahoochee National Forest, descend about 100 feet over a stepped rock formation. This hike is an easy to moderate incline to the falls. The 100 foot Minihaha waterfalls is an easy (0.5 mile) half mile hike that will reward you with a natural beautiful waterfall in the Georgia mountains. Minihaha Falls cascades across the rocks at least 30 feet wide with a variety of 3-5 foot drops as it flows into a shallow flat pool of water at the bottom. There is a rock bench set in the perfect location for a great selfie or photo.
From the parking area the wooden hand rail leading to the falls is in plain sight. As you head up the trail you follow the creek on your right. About half way up the trail you see a small 10 foot cascade that you can get closer to on a side path. Once you reach 100 foot Minihaha Falls you’ll find yourself in a steep-sided cove packed with rhododendron and mountain laurel. There is a rock sitting bench on the far end of the creek bed.
Directions: Take US 23/441 north from Tallulah Falls for three miles to the Rabun Beach Recreation Area sign. Turn left onto Old 441. Go 2.5 miles and take a left on Lake Rabun Road. Go one mile past Recreation Area. Take a left on Low Gap Road at Flat Creek Community sign. Follow Bear Gap road which forks to the left. Go 1.5 miles to the sign marking the trail on the right side of the road. It’s about a five minute walk from the parking area on Bear Gap Road.
by admin | May 25, 2015 | Hiking By Activity, Hiking By Difficulty, Hiking By Distance, Hiking National Parks, Hiking Trail Guides by State, Hiking Trails - Under 1.0 Mile, Hiking Trails Blue Ridge Parkway NC, Moderate/Strenuous Hiking Trails, North Carolina Mountain Hiking Trails, North Carolina Overlook Mountain Trails, North Carolina Visitor Center Trails, Overlook Hiking Trails, Visitor Center Hiking Trails
Trail head: Milepost 304 Blue Ridge Parkway
Distance: .08 mile
Duration: 1 hr
Skill Level: Moderate/ Strenuous Hiking Trails
Overview:
Probably one of the most interesting hikes I have been on yet. Starting from the Linn Cove Viaduct Visitor Center milepost 304.6 off the Blue Ridge Parkway. As you travel through the parking lot to the trail head which takes you on a nice pleasant walk under the viaduct where you can gaze at the amazing modern marvel of construction and hear the many cars traveling overhead. This very short hike is about 900 feet.
This small section is part of the Tanawha Trail which is 13.5 miles long in total distance winding along the Blue Ridge Parkway mountains. For the more adventurous looking for an amazing picture opportunity and seeing the whole viaduct…this is the trail for you. Continue up the wooden stairs as the trail winds up and down through a maze of rocks, boulders, and rock staircases. This is one of the most different types of trails I have been on. I would recommend if kids are going they are at least ages 5 and up and accompanied by an adult on either side. There are some slight drop offs along the trail. There is even one part that you are traveling through the rocks almost like a tunnel. Along the trail there is a bridge where Wilson’s Creek runs under and a pretty coll waterfall to see. As you near the end of the viaduct about an hour later there is a fork in the road; take the fork with the red ribbon to the right. The trail going straight continues as part of the Tanawha Trail. The red ribbon indicates you have made it to one of the most distinctive picture taking points of the Blue Ridge Parkway. You have seen this vantage point in many pictures and magazines about the Blue Ridge Parkway Not only will you be elevated above the parkway but above the viaduct watching cars come around the bend as they travel over the viaduct.
Tips:
- Hiking Shoes
- Water Bottle
- Camera and Video Recorder
- Not For Kids under 5 years old
- Very Rocky up and down elevations
Linn Cove Viaduct Visitor Center Trail Map
Photo Gallery
*Click on thumbnails for larger viewing and slideshow
by admin | May 25, 2015 | Easy/Moderate Hiking Trails, Hiking By Activity, Hiking By Difficulty, Hiking By Distance, Hiking National Parks, Hiking Trail Guides by State, Hiking Trails - Under 1.0 Mile, Hiking Trails Blue Ridge Parkway NC, North Carolina Mountain Hiking Trails, North Carolina Overlook Mountain Trails, Overlook Hiking Trails
Trail head: Blowing Rock, North Carolina
Distance: 0.6 miles
Duration: 30 minutes
Skill Level: Easy/Moderate Hiking Trails
Overview:
If you are looking to stretch your legs a bit from a long Blue Ridge Parkway Ride , this is the trail for you. At milepost 308.2 off the Blue Ridge Parkway the Flat Rock Trail is a self guiding loop trail that walks you up a slight incline towards the flat rock that opens up into a beautiful view of grandfather country club golf course, beautiful blue ridge mountains in the distance and grandfather mountain to your right hand side.
Great panoramic view for video and pictures..also a great place that is quiet for a picnic.
Tips:
- Bring your camera or video recorder for the panoramic view
- Water Bottle
- Hiking Shoes, but sneakers are ok on this one
Flat Rock Trail Map
Photo Gallery
*Click on thumbnails for larger viewing and slideshow
