#Rough Ridge

Trail access to this lookout can be found less than 20 minutes from downtown Blowing Rock! Find sweeping views of Grandfather Mountain and Linn Cove Viaduct by hiking the Rough Ridge Trail just off the Blue Ridge Parkway at Mile Post 302.8. You can reach the lookout in roughly 20-30 minutes depending on your hiking pace. #hikenc #yearofthetrail #greattrailsnc #blueridgemountains #blueridgeparkway #roughridgeoverlook #blowingrocknc #nc

🥾 We don't hike a lot over the summer, but when we do, it needs to involve either cooler temps or water! Rough Ridge has the former - it's usually 15-20 degrees cooler than Greenville - and off the Blue Ridge Parkway. It's one of our most favorite hikes for its unmatched beauty and views! Here's what you need to know: 🥾Overall, it's an easy hike and less than a mile roundtrip to get to the lookout rock with that amazing view. There is some uphill on the way there. 👦The hike is kid-friendly but watch them closely, especially around ledges. 🐕 Dogs on leash are welcome. ⚠️ Follow all signs. The area is home to several fragile flowers and plants and oftentimes there's a Ranger out there making sure people follow the rules and stay on the trail. 🚗 The parking area is at mile marker 302.8 on the Blue Ridge Parkway. 🗑 Leave No Trace and pack out what you pack in. . . . . . #kiddingaroundgreenville #summerhiking #daytrips #blueridgeparkway #grandfathermountain #roughridge #visitnc #hiking

“Summited not quite submitted” hahaha This isn’t just a hike… it’s a full-body obstacle course 😳 ‼️Daily pass needed most of the year (must book it at least the day before) plus your National Parks pass - yes they will check it!)‼️ Old Rag Mountain is one of the toughest and most popular hikes on the East Coast—and for good reason: 👇 🥵 ~9.3 miles 🪨 Rated Hard in All Trails ⛰️ 2,500+ ft elevation gain ‼️ Daily Pass + National Park Entrance 🧗‍♀️ Rock scrambling required 🚫 No dogs allowed 🐾 (for good reasons!) The wild part? 👉 That famous rock scramble section is less than a mile… but could take HOURS And once you’re in it, turning back isn’t easy—you’re climbing through tight rock passages, pulling yourself up boulders, and navigating steep drop-offs. 💡 Pro tips: • Start early (crowds get crazy) • Wear real hiking shoes (not optional here) • Bring more water & snacks than you think • Mentally prepare—it’s as much mindset as it is physica! We’ve done long miles, tough climbs, and family hikes… and this one still humbles you 😅 Save this if Old Rag is on your list 🥾 Would you try it with your family? 👇 #RoamWildFamily #OldRag #ShenandoahNationalPark #FamilyAdventure #HikingWithKids

Send to your favorite hiking partner ↗️ 📍Rough Ridge (Tanawha Trail from Rough Ridge Trailhead) 🏔️ 2.5 miles Out & Back 🐕‍🦺 Dog Friendly 🥾 Moderate Intensity If you’re here from reels, follow me for more ↠ @catescompass Please remember to ALWAYS Leave No Trace when adventuring outdoors: - Pack out what you pack in (AKA don’t litter 🚯 ) - Respect wildlife - Be considerate of other adventurers Check out LNT.org for more info on how to recreate responsibly. #visitnc #828isgreat #womenwhohike

Rough Ridge Overlook Trail The sweeping Blue Ridge Mountain views on this short hike are pure magic. 📍 Linville, NC (30 minutes from Boone, NC) (1.5 hours from Asheville, NC) Here’s what to know before you go: 
🥾 Difficulty: Moderate – some rock scrambling with elevation gain, but manageable for most kids (my 3-year-old hiked the whole thing)
📏 Distance: 1.5 miles round trip
👀 Expect: Boardwalk sections, rocky outcrops, and jaw-dropping panoramic views
🅿️ Parking: Blue Ridge Parkway, Milepost 302.8 (look for the Rough Ridge Overlook lot)
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Why it’s family-friendly: Shorter distance, epic scenery early on, and plenty of spots to rest and soak it all in Pro tip: Bring layers—the higher elevation can be breezy even in summer! Extra pro tip: Reward yourselves at the end for a job well done with a homemade ice cream cookie sandwich @bluedeer_nc (they even have gluten free ones 👏🏼). . . . . hiking family • hiking with kids • blue ridge mountains • adventure family • fulltime travel • travel family • fulltime rv • fulltime family • western North Carolina

It would always be Rough Ridge 🫶 One of the most iconic hikes on the Blue Ridge Parkway (just off Milepost 302 near Linn Cove Viaduct) 🥾 This 1.5-mile round-trip hike rewards you with jaw-dropping views of Grandfather Mountain, the Linn Cove Viaduct, and endless layers of Blue Ridge Mountains. Remember to Leave No Trace.. pack out what you pack in, stay on the trail, and respect this fragile mountain ecosystem so others can enjoy it too! 📍Location: Blue Ridge Parkway, near Grandfather Mountain ⛰️ Distance: ~1.5 miles round-trip ⏰ Moderate | 400 ft elevation gain Hoping this inspires you to visit this state that I love, and if you’re here from reels, please share and follow @katehikesnc for more NC Outdoors ❤️ Hiking in North Carolina | Western North Carolina | Blue Ridge Parkway Hikes | Explore North Carolina #northcarolina

You know those hikes that are your go-tos? The ones you return to over and over? These ones are it for me⤵️ 1. Waterrock Knob, Blue Ridge Parkway 2. Rough Ridge, Blue Ridge Parkway 3. High Falls, DuPont State Forest 4. Dry Falls, Highlands 5. Rainbow Falls, Gorges State Park 7. Fryingpan Mountain Tower, Blue Ridge Parkway 8. Beacon Heights, Blue Ridge Parkway 9. Lover’s Leap, Hot Springs 10. Catawba Falls, Old Fort What are your favorite NC hikes? Let me know in the comments! #catawbafalls #roughridge #waterfallsofnc #northcarolinawaterfalls #ncoutdoors #nchiking #nctravel #nchikes #visitnc

You might see me running up crazy ridges but sometimes the fear gets me too!! When you’re confident it’s “super grippy” until your mind starts thinking of the “what ifs” 🙃 #sportsnutrition #sportsdietitian #trailrunning #running #endurancedietitian #ultrarunning #trail #trailrunner #runningnutrition #endurance #mountain #ridge

This ridge hike is really insane

Save this for your next Blue Ridge road trip 🚗🍂 Planning a Blue Ridge Parkway road trip? Here are 5 iconic stops you absolutely can’t miss — all within a short drive of Blowing Rock, NC 🍁 1️⃣ Moses Cone Manor – beautiful trails, mountain views & a slice of history 🏡 2️⃣ Julian Price Lake – perfect for a picnic or a peaceful paddle 🛶 3️⃣ Rough Ridge – that unreal overlook that looks straight out of a postcard 🌄 4️⃣ Linn Cove Viaduct – one of the most scenic stretches of road in the U.S. 🛣️ 5️⃣ Beacon Heights – a short, easy trail with some of the best sunset views on the Parkway 🌅 Whether you’re chasing fall colors or planning next year’s adventure, this stretch of the Parkway is pure Blue Ridge magic 💙 📍All near Blowing Rock, NC 🎬 Save & share for your next fall weekend road trip! #BlueRidgeParkway #VisitNC #ExploreNC #NorthCarolinaHikes #FallHikes #BlueRidgeMountains #RoadTripUSA #BlowingRockNC #LinnCoveViaduct #RoughRidge #JulianPriceLake #BeaconHeights #MosesConeManor #NCmountains #HikingNC #ScenicDrive #FallColors #MountainVibes #NatureLovers #HikingAdventures #BRP #WeekendGetaway #TravelReel

One of the Best Hikes on the Blue Ridge Parkway ✨with panoramic mountains views✨ 📌 Save to your NC list and share with someone you want to hike here with! 📍Rough Ridge Overlook, Blue Ridge Parkway 🥾 1.2 miles RT, 367 feet of elevation gain, moderate. 🚗 1.5 hours from Asheville, NC or 30 minutes from Boone, NC 🌄 Incredible for sunrise or sunset because this trail offers 360 degree views! 🍁 This one is so beautiful during the fall too Would you hike here for sunset or sunrise? The views are some of the best on the parkway! ➡️ If you’re here from reels, hi, I’m Katie! I live in Asheville, NC and love to travel + hike as much as I can, and share all my best recommendations with you. You should follow me @wherekatieis for more! #roughridge #boonenc #exploreboone #blowingrocknc #blueridgemoments #sunsethike | Blue ridge parkway NC | sunset mountain views | rough ridge overlook | western North Carolina |

The best sunrise spot on the Parkway? There’s some really great ones near Blowing Rock including Thunder Hill, Beacon Heights, and Elk Mountain Overlook but Rough Ridge has gotta be high on this list. A short hike to such epic views…it doesn’t get much better. The last frame of this reel is our friend @mnhege @ridgerovers featured on the cover of our new @qcexclusive travel issue! #roughridge #blueridgeparkway #blueridgemountains #blueridgemoments #sunrise #sunrisephotography #appalachianmountains #blowingrock #boonenc #bannerelknc #highcountrync