Our favorite season in the Tar Heel State brings extra delicious views of vibrant fall colors from a variety of trails and scenic overlooks that are ideal for taking it all in. Our personal favorite is a lookout called Rough Ridge located high above the Blue Ridge Parkway on the Tanawha Trail.
The views from Rough Ridge Lookout are picturesque in any season; however, they light up the landscape with bright reds, rusty yellows and the golden colors of fall for at least a couple of weeks each year.
From the lookout, you'll be able to see so far into the valley, that a rolling progression of fall foliage will sweep into the lush green landscape in the many valleys below. If you somehow miss the peak for the mountaintops, then simply hike up this trail at the end of the peak of fall foliage viewing for the higher elevations and the top of the trail will be brown, but the view that goes on for miles and miles will be a smattering of vibrant fall colors.
The trail is 1.1 miles (each way) and is a puzzle for the feet. And if you have bad knees, you may want to be sure to bring hiking poles to take on some of the pressure.
It's a steady uphill climb, but we promise the payoff is worth it.
At approximately the halfway mark, you'll encounter an elaborate set of stairs and some huge boulders. This is a fantastic spot to stop and get some photos and catch your breath.
The views from the halfway point are so pretty, you may decide just to skip the rest of the hike.
Take the short trail from the parking lot (approximately 100 feet) to connect to the Tanawha Trail and go left to Rough Ridge.
Of course this trail is amazing in spring, summer and fall, but if you’re coming specifically to see the vivid colors expected in this year’s (2018) fall foliage, you should plan your hike between October 15 and November 5. For more on the best dates to see the best fall foliage throughout North Carolina this year, keep reading here. To learn more about the trail up to Rough Ridge Lookout, consult this link on alltrails.com.
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