And, at that altitude, the hiking in the summer is outstanding – temperatures can average as low as 30 degrees lower than the Asheville area – a treat on a hot summer day. Come prepared – with the constant wind, frequent precipitation, and often – as on the day when we were there – a chilling, fast blowing fog – a weatherproof coat will be welcome even when it’s in the mid-80s in the Asheville area.

Clouds literally roll across the mountain top – visibility can go from miles to 100 feet within minutes as the high winds blow in weather in an instant – as you can see from our photos. But fear not – the unique terrain, beautiful expansive views at the crest, and the unique weather are contribute to making this hike one of our favorites.

Our hike is on the Old Mitchell Trail – a strenuous 4 mile loop from trailhead to the summit and back down again with a total elevation gain of  975 feet on the way up.

The trail climbs up through fallen Frasier Fir stands – up, over and through rocky outcrops and crevices – through fields of blackberry bushes and healthy fir forest – and up to the rocky summit with 360 panoramas on a  clear day.

The park is accessible only from the Blue Ridge Parkway;  from Asheville, take the Parkway north 30 miles to NC 128.  GPS Coordinates: 35.765388,-82.265068

This hike is nothing but fascinating, and seems to get better on every visit, with seasonal changes making the terrain always-changing  (this was our 3rd hike on this trail, having found it 4 years ago – we’re eager to return any time our travels take us on this stretch of the Blue Ridge).

Turn off the Blue Ridge Parkway at milepost 418 into the paved parking area on the North side of the Parkway.  You’ll find several trails leaving the parking area – all wind through similar terrain and hike through to the same destination – the falls.  Total loop distance to the upper falls and back is a moderate hike of 4 miles.

The knobby, rolling terrain of the area –  both beautiful and seemingly alien – is guessed to have been formed by a windstorm that felled the large trees in the area, followed by extensive fires in the 30s that destroyed the remnants of the forest and created the continuous terrain of small mounds between the mountainous peaks that form the valley.

Cross over the first falls by footbridge and wind through the rolling terrain along the stream, passing many primitive campsites along the way.  (If you choose to camp, please use one of the already-used sites – in the 4 years since we first visited, the number of campsites has likely tripled and the signs of overuse are starting to show).  The payoff at the end of the hike – a set of falls that cascades – and then slides – down a long expanse of rock.

This hike has become one of our favorites – we hope you find the beauty of the area as striking and alluring as we have. GPS Coordinates: 35.320168,-82.823181 (click here for directions)

The gorge and surrounding 12,000 acres of Linville Gorge Wilderness a wealth of fantastic hiking trails and climbing – arguably some of the best in the state of North Carolina.

It’s here, across Forest Service Road 210 from the Hawksbill Trail trailhead, that we found one of our favorite camping and backpacking spots in North Carolina. Set back from the gravel forest road and trailhead a distance of a quarter mile, several primitive campsites here, marked with circular stone rings, offer solitude from the busy Linville Gorge hiking while providing close proximity to hiking in the gorge.

The campsite itself offers fantastic views from a 30 foot rock outcrop that opens to a wide valley facing north away from Linville Gorge. Views here are expansive – and equally beautiful at sunrise and during the day.

Parking is available along Forest Road 210. Access to the campsite is across the forest road from the Hawksbill trailhead; head a quarter of a mile along the trail. The first campsite is located in a wide clearing and offers ample space for several tents around the large stone fire ring. Our campsite of choice is located to the left of the first site; turn left when you reach the large clearing and follow the trail to the large rock outcrop that juts from the ground at a 45 degree angle.

Permits are required for camping in the gorge from May 1 through October 31, available from the Linville Falls Visitor Center.

Getting there: Turn onto Forest Service Road 210, Gingercake Road, from NC 181. Turn right at the fork on FR 210. The road rises as it climbs to the ridge of Gingercake and becomes a gravel road at the entrance to the Linville Gorge Wilderness. The Hawksbill Trail and camping area are located 3 miles along Forest Road 210 from Gingercake Acres. GPS Coordinates: 35.952285,-81.892862