Tanawha Trail

Tanawha Trail (log in to submit report)
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Highlight	Nice views of the viaduct and Grandfather Mountain
Trail System	Mountains-to-Sea Trail
Park	Julian Price Memorial Park
Located	Blowing Rock, North CarolinaLocation inherited from associated park
Trail Marking	Unknown
Trail UseThings allowed to do on or near the trail
FeaturesThings to see on or near the trail
Difficulty Rating	Hard
Hiking TimeTime from car and back. Includes any time hiking to access this trail.	7 hrs0.438 Days <br />420 Min <br /> round trip
Distance:	12.53 mi20.165 km <br /> trailStrict non-repeating trail length / 12.5312.53 mi <br />20.165 km <br /> round tripTypical or shortest length from the car, hike the trail, and return to car
Trail Type	Segment
Low / High Point	3,404 ft1,134.667 Yards <br />1,037.539 Meters <br /> / 4,681 ft1,560.333 Yards <br />1,426.769 Meters <br />
Elev. Gain/LossSee link for details of calculation. Gain/Loss is direction dependent.	1,103 ft336.194 Meters <br /> / (1,909 ft581.863 Meters <br />) – West-to-East
Trip ReportsFrom user "hiked it" submissions<br />Recent is within last 90 days	No hikes logged yet
NearbyWithin 5 mi<br />Click link to view list	No other Trails within 5 mi
Parking	36° 5' 1.75" N, 81° 49' 48.43" W Map
Trailhead	36° 5' 1.75" N, 81° 49' 48.43" W 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

From Johnson City, TN to southern trailhead:

1. Take US-321 east to Elizabethton.
2. Right/south onto US 19-E thru Elk Park, NC
3. Straight onto NC-194 to Newland.
4. Left/east onto NC-181 to Linville.
5. Straight onto US-221 past entrance for Grandfather Mountain.
6. Take interchange to get onto Blue Ridge Parkway heading south.
7. 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

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

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.

No fees. The Blue Ridge Parkway is occasionally closed.

Photos

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