Editing Tanawha Trail

{{Trail
|Trail Highlight=Nice views of the viaduct and Grandfather Mountain
|Trail System=Mountains-to-Sea Trail
|Park=Julian Price Memorial Park
|Trail Marking=Unknown
|Trail Use=Hiking
|Trail Features=Vistas, Mountains
|Difficulty Rating=Hard
|Hike Time=7 hrs
|Trail Distance=12.53 mi
|Round Trip Distance=12.53
|Trail Type=Segment
|High Point=4,681 ft
|Low Point=3,404 ft
|Elevation Gain=1,103 ft
|Elevation Loss=1,909 ft
|Elevation Change Direction=West-to-East
|Parking location=36.08382, -81.83012
|Trailhead location=36.08382, -81.83012
}}
{{Trail Map}}

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== Trail Overview ==
Trail runs parallel to Blue Ridge Parkway in the Linn Cove section, thus offers some nice views of the viaduct and Grandfather Mountain.

== How to get there ==
<!-- Please enter detailed instruction on how to find the trail head. -->
From Johnson City, TN to <u>southern trailhead</u>:
#Take US-321 east to Elizabethton.
#Right/south onto US 19-E thru Elk Park, NC
#Straight onto NC-194 to Newland. 
#Left/east onto NC-181 to Linville.
#Straight onto US-221 past entrance for Grandfather Mountain.
#Take interchange to get onto Blue Ridge Parkway heading south.
#Beacon Heights parking lot within 500 ft on southeast side (MM 305). 

For a shuttle, first head up the Blue Ridge Parkway to MM 297 at Julian Price Park to leave a vehicle at the trail’s end.

== Route Description==
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The Tanawha Trail runs mostly parallel to the Blue Ridge Parkway.  In just over a mile, a quick stop at the Linn Cove visitors’ center might be in order.  Plan on lunch at Rough Ridge where nice views have be had of the viaduct and Grandfather Mountain.  The trail continues along the forest and brush along the BRP until reaching open meadow near Julian Price Park.  Last section is an old gravel road over to the parkway at mile marker 297.

The Tanawha Trail is part of Section 13 of the [[Mountains-to-Sea Trail]].

== Typical Conditions ==
<!-- Typical conditions throughout the year of what to expect on the trail. Rocky, muddy, sandy, flowers, lots of downed trees?  -->
Several years ago, my impression of the middle section was that it needed some real maintenance to cut back the rhododendron, put the steps back into place, and pick up litter.  Low cut hiking shoes should be appropriate for this trail.

==Fees, Permits, etc. ==
<!-- Please list any Fees, Permits, Regulations, etc. that may be required on this trail.-->
No fees.   The Blue Ridge Parkway is occasionally closed.

== Photos ==
{{Park trail gallery|Trail={{PAGENAME}}}}
{{Map Marker
|Icon Type=Parking
|Marker Title=Parking at Beacon Heights
|Marker Location=36.08382,-81.83012
}}
{{Map Marker
|Icon Type=Toilet
|Marker Title=Linn Cove visitors center
|Marker Location=36.09025,-81.81443
}}
{{Map Marker
|Icon Type=Photo spot
|Marker Title=Rough Ridge spur trail
|Marker Location=36.099416,-81.80067
}}
{{Map Marker
|Icon Type=Point of interest
|Marker Title=Trailhead at BRP
|Marker Location=36.137467,-81.73813
}}