Unplugging in North Carolina's High Country
The High Country is what people in North Carolina call the mountains around Boone, Blowing Rock and Banner Elk. It's up along the Blue Ridge Parkway, high enough that summers stay mild and winters bring real snow.
It's about two hours from Charlotte and a bit more from the Triangle. Close enough for a long weekend, far enough that it feels like a different place.
Where to stay
Pick Valle Crucis if you want it quiet, Blowing Rock if you want a town to walk around, and Sugar or Beech Mountain if you're coming to ski. Most of what's up here is small inns, lodges and cabins.
A small bed and breakfast in Valle Crucis with mountain views. Some rooms have balconies, and there's a hot tub and an outdoor fireplace for the evenings. The original Mast General Store is close by.
What to do
- Blue Ridge Parkway
- The road runs right past Blowing Rock. Drive a slow stretch of it, stop at the overlooks, and don't be in a hurry. Nobody on it is.
- Moses Cone and Price Lake
- Just outside Blowing Rock, the old Cone estate has miles of carriage trails that are easy walking. A little farther down the Parkway, Price Lake has a loop trail and canoes you can rent in season.
- Grandfather Mountain
- Known for the Mile High Swinging Bridge, but the hiking trails are the better reason to go. Some of them are steep and rocky, so pick one that fits.
- Linville Falls
- A short hike off the Parkway to a few overlooks of the falls and the gorge below. Easy enough for most people.
- Elk Knob State Park
- North of Boone and a lot quieter than the Parkway spots. The trail to the top is a steady climb with a big view at the end.
- Skiing
- Sugar Mountain, Beech Mountain and Appalachian Ski Mountain are all close. They're not big by western standards, but they're fun for a day.
The towns
Boone is the biggest town, home to Appalachian State. It has the most places to eat and the most traffic. Blowing Rock is smaller, with a walkable main street and a lot of shops.
Valle Crucis is a tiny spot on the Watauga River, known for the original Mast General Store. Banner Elk sits between Sugar and Beech Mountain, and Beech Mountain calls itself the highest town in the East.
Before you go
- Leaf season in October gets busy. Book early, or come the week before or after.
- Roads up to Beech and Sugar can be steep and icy in winter. Bring a car that can handle it.
- Parts of the Parkway close in winter and after storms. Check the park service site before you count on a drive.
First look
New places we find and the odd guide to somewhere quiet. A few emails a year, that's it.