Tanawha Trail
At A Glance
13.5 mi one-way
Difficulty Rating: 13.5 
Steepness: Hilly
Tread Condition: Moderately Rough
Other Map ID: BRP MP 305.5
Description
This excellent trail, completed in 1993, follows the contours of Grandfather Mountain above the Blue Ridge Parkway. It travels through interesting and diverse geology and forest environments, including northern hardwood forests and spruce-fir forests. Rough in places. Provides access to views, waterfalls, some neat, sturdy footbridges, large trees, huge boulders, and access to trails in Grandfather Mountain State Park, Rough Ridge and the Linn Cove Viaduct.
Intersecting Trails
This trail is located in the Blue Ridge Parkway Section 2 area. For a list of all the trails in that area, see the Blue Ridge Parkway Section 2 trails list page.
This trail also crosses into these trailhead areas:
All Photos from the Trail
GPS Map
Map Information
Download GPS Data
Click on a route, trail, or point on the map and select the GPS Data tab to download its data.
Data Formats
KML (Google Earth)
KML is the main file type used by Google Earth. If you have Google Earth installed, clicking the KML link should open the trail or point directly in Google Earth for viewing. This is the native file format used by Google Earth, but many other map applications can use and understand KML as well, so if you're not sure which one to download, KML is a good bet.
GPX
The GPX format stands for GPS Exchange - a free, open, XML format for exchanging GPS and map data. GPX is compatible with Google Earth, many other mapping programs, and most GPS devices (such as Garmin). Load the file directly into your GPS to help find your way on your next trip!
GeoJSON
GeoJSON is a newer, lightweight data exchange format which can be used to quickly share map data and may have a smaller size than KML or GPX. Many professional mapping and GIS applications support the GeoJSON format.
About the Map
Copyright
Base Layers
Base layers provided by OpenStreetMap, the US Geological Survey, the US Forest Service, and NC OneMap. Base layer images are subject to the respective copyright policies of their owners. Base layers may not be available at all times due to system maintenance or outages.
WNCOutdoors Base Layer
The WNCOutdoors Base layer is provided by WNCOutdoors.info. It is licensed by Creative Commons Attribution 3.0.
Trail and Marker Overlays
Trail layers and downloadable data are all original works created by WNCOutdoors with guidance from a variety of sources, including ensembles of our own GPS tracks, user contributed GPS tracks, official maps and GIS data from government agencies, and field observations. WNCOutdoors data is made freely available under the Open Database License - you are free to copy and use it for any purpose under the terms of that license (summary).
Tips
- Hover over a trail to see it highlighted. Helps to see start and end points for an individual trail.
- Scroll and zoom the map before printing, and that view will persist into the printed image.
- Click a trail for more details and to download it individually.
Trail Segments
Trails are often made up of several connecting paths which may have different characteristics, allowed uses, and seasons. This trail is divided into multiple segments as follows:
Tanawha - Campground to Holloway Mt. Rd.
- Allowed Uses: Hiking
- Length: 1.57 mi
Tanawha Trail - Holloway Mt. Rd. to Boone Fork Parking Ext.
- Allowed Uses: Hiking
- Length: 3.55 mi
Tanawha - Boone Fork Overlook Parking Spur
- Allowed Uses: Hiking
- Length: 502 ft
Tanawha - Boone Fork Ovlk. Spur to Nuwati
- Allowed Uses: Hiking
- Length: 0.28 mi
Tanawha - Nuwati to Daniel Boone Scout Tr.
- Allowed Uses: Hiking
- Length: 0.21 mi
Tanawha - Daniel Boone Scout to Rough Ridge Parking Ext.
- Allowed Uses: Hiking
- Length: 3.15 mi
Tanawha - Rough Ridge
- Allowed Uses: Hiking
- Length: 0.49 mi
Tanawha - Rough Ridge to Linn Cove Visitor Center
- Allowed Uses: Hiking
- Length: 1.78 mi
Tanawha Trail - Linn Cove Visitor Center to US 221
- Allowed Uses: Hiking
- Length: 1.11 mi
Tanawha - US 221 to MST
- Allowed Uses: Hiking
- Length: 0.27 mi
Tanawha - Beacon Heights Parking to MST
- Allowed Uses: Hiking
- Length: 293 ft
Total Calculated Length: 12.58 mi
This value is derived from our underlying map data, and it may not match officially published information.
Feedback
Ratings
Average Rating: 3.3 (rated 9 times)
Rate It Now:
Trent said: Best trail in the mountains.