Enjoying the view at the top of Beacon Heights near the Blue Ridge Parkway
View: ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ / 5
Trails: Beacon Heights Trail, Tanawha Trail, Mountains to Sea Trail
Picnic Tables: None
The Beacon Heights Parking Area on the Blue Ridge Parkway allows access to three trails. There is a view of Grandfather Mountain from the parking area, but the intended view is from the top of Beacon Heights, which is accessed via the Beacon Heights Trail. This is one of the best views on the Parkway.
Tanawha Trail
Beacon Heights is the southern trailhead for the Tanawha Trail, which runs 13.5 miles from here to the Julian Price Park Campground. I hiked a mile of it near the Linn Cove Visitor Center and it looks like a fun trail. This is a one-way trail, and there is no camping allowed along the way, so if you plan to hike the trail in its entirety, be sure to arrange for a ride at the end.
Mountains to Sea Trail access
This 1,150-mile trail runs from Great Smoky Mountains National Park to the North Carolina Outer Banks. It is not part of the National Park system, so I don’t cover it, but you can get more information on the Friends of the Mountains to Sea Trail website.
Beacon Heights Trail
This short trail leads to the top of Beacon Heights were you can get excellent views from a bald, quartzite mountain top. See the Beacon Heights Trail review for details.
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Last updated on November 5, 2023
