Blue Ridge
Hiking near Banner Elk
Hiking near Banner Elk, North Carolina: public trails and parks, plus the checks still open.
Last updated October 15, 2026.
In-town walking is the downtown, the college, and the path around Wildcat Lake. The hikes with a view are day trips: Grandfather Mountain State Park, the Parkway, and Linville Falls. The swinging bridge is a paid attraction, not a state-park trailhead.
Wildcat Lake
A walk and a summer swim at a lake maintained by Lees-McRae College. This is the close-to-town option with children, and the one that doesn't require a Parkway lot strategy. The college posts current hours, fees, and whether pets can come.
Grandfather Mountain State Park
Public trails on Grandfather Mountain. The state park is free to enter. The Profile Trail is 3.6 miles one way and strenuous, and it is not the swinging-bridge entrance. Calloway Peak is 5,964 feet. Come here to hike. Your legs will file a comment.
Mile High Swinging Bridge
Inside the Grandfather Mountain attraction, which charges admission and posts the current fee. Go here for the bridge and the developed summit, not for a free state-park loop. The wind at the top is part of the visit.
Linville Falls
Parkway waterfall overlooks. A standard day trip from Banner Elk. Several walk lengths leave from the same area. Pick the one that matches the group's patience.
Emerald Outback, up on Beech
If you're already driving to Beech Mountain, the town's high trail network is the hike. See the Beech Mountain page for the trailhead details. The air gets thinner as the road gets steeper.