Top 3 Mountain Destinations: North Carolina, USA
written in late 2021
Crowders Mountain
Crowders Mountain has been one of our favorite places ever since we moved to North Carolina. We live close to the Charlotte area so this is the shortest drive for us.
The views from the top of this mountain are incredibly breathtaking. Also, on a clear day, you can see the Uptown Charlotte skyline on the horizon.
CLICK HERE - CROWDERS MOUNTAIN STATE PARK SITE
The hike up to the top of the mountain can definitely be a little daunting. But, if you’re comfortable with hiking 4-6 miles (depending on which trail you take) to the top, it’s definitely worth it.
We always take the Pinnacle Trail to the top - It is 4 miles round trip and is labeled as ‘strenuous’ on the state park website.
If you are ever in the Charlotte, NC area, this is a must-see destination. Also, we recommend trying to come on a weekday or early in the morning if possible. This is definitely a popular place for people to visit on the weekends and the trail/top of the mountain can get a bit crowded at times.
Catawba Falls
Catawba Falls, located inside the Pisgah National Forest, is somewhere that you NEED to see in person. When we were looking up the falls before we went, all the photos we found looked really cool and made us excited to go. But, once we got there, we were in awe of how beautiful it really is.
The address to the parking lot is 530 Warren Mountain Dr, Old Fort, NC 28762
On your way to the falls, you will drive down a long, narrow road before getting to the parking lot. Trust your GPS, it will get you where you need to go. We would recommend bringing a vehicle that can handle a bumpy dirt road as well. There isn’t a real need for something that is four wheel drive but we were very glad we brought out larger sedan versus our smaller car.
Please Note - There are also abandoned historical buildings along the trail. They are quite beautiful and make the entire hike fun because there’s always something new around the corner. But, please respect this space. Do not climb on these structures or leave your trash anywhere.
This hike is roughly 1.2 miles one way and is not very strenuous. We would recommend this for hikers that are a little more beginner but be sure to wear good shoes and bring water and snacks because it is definitely tiring getting up to the falls.
Grandfather Mountain - The Mile High Swinging Bridge
Grandfather Mountain is one of the most wonderful parks we have been to so far. There are so many places to pull off and park your car to enjoy the views. But, the real gem of the park is the Mile High Swinging Bridge.
This bridge was originally built in 1952 and was rebuilt back in 1999. This 228 ft. suspension bridge spans an 80 ft. chasm at more than one mile in elevation. From the bridge you can admire full 360-degree views of Grandfather Mountain.
Please Note - Currently, due to safety protocols, you MUST reserve your tickets to the park before you arrive. It is very easy to do and you can CLICK HERE and it will take you directly to the ticketing page.
There are a few ways that you can make it up to the bridge. There is a parking lot that will lead you on a hike that will take you all the way to the bridge. Or, there is another parking lot right next to the bridge if you want to make the drive all the way up. There is also an elevator up to the bridge in case you are unable to take the stairs up from the parking lot.
The drive up to the bridge is very steep and has a lot of very tight turns. Please take this drive slow to ensure the safety of yourself and the other vehicles you’re sharing the road with.
This is another destination we recommend visiting on a weekday / in the early morning if possible. The first tickets were available for us at 8:00AM. We arrived at 8:30ish and we were the only ones there for a little while. But, we definitely noticed more and more cars arriving after 9-10AM.
