As summer gets underway and the weather warms, a trail near water is always a treat. In June, the gardens are really blooming in Broyhill Park- a perfect time to enjoy the Blowing Rock History Walk and its route around Mayview pond. Trails at Linville Falls and the Glen Burney Trail here in town offer views of waterfalls, and Price Lake Trail traverses wetlands with gorgeous lake views. As always, please remember to pack plenty of water and snacks, and to do some research before you set out on your hiking experience. Read along below, and see what we got up to in June.
Blowing Rock History Walk
The Blowing Rock History Walk begins on Laurel Lane at the intersection of Laurel Lane and Main St. The walk then heads down Laurel Lane and goes around Broyhill Park. The trail is paved and handicap accessible. Broyhill Park is a lovely park with a gazebo and a pond with a fountain. The History Walk is marked with stone pillars that have a bronze plaques on them. On the plaques is an engraving, a relief picture, and a QR code that links to more backstory and information. These monuments share a place, person, or moment in history that was important to the town of Blowing Rock. The walk is peppered with benches for sitting, relaxing, and taking in the scenery.
Trail Length: 0.25 Miles
Difficulty: Easy
Surface: Wide paved trail
Trail Use: Walking, jogging, leashed dogs ok
Blaze: N/A Trails is marked by stone pillars with bronze plaques.
Getting There:
The History Walk can be accessed several ways. One is to park on Main Street and head over to Laurel Lane to begin the walk. Another is to park at the Parking Deck beside the American Legion building. Then head down to Laurel Lane via Wallingford Lane and begin the walk there. Last, you can park at the Broyhill Park parking lot and access the walk that way. All of these routes are handicap accessible.
Glen Burney Trail
Glen Burney is one of Blowing Rock’s most iconic trails. Located downtown, this hike gives visitors access to three scenic waterfall views, The Cascades, Glen Burney Falls, and Glen Marie Falls. It also showcases some historic ruins and tons of native plants and wildflowers. As accessible as a downtown waterfall hike is, please don’t be fooled by the proximity to downtown. This trail is strenuous for even the avid hiker, and will take nearly two hours to complete in it’s entirety. There is a 600 ft. elevation gain on this trail. The views, however, are very much worth the sweat, so if you have some time to explore and don’t mind getting in a workout, Glen Burney Trail is right for you!
Trail Length: 3.2 Miles out and back
Difficulty: Strenuous
Surface: Natural with some gravel areas
Trail Use: hiking
Blaze: N/A (Signage posted along the trail)
The biggest takeaway from this trail is, make sure you’re prepared before setting out. Understand that the climb up will be a lot tougher than the climb down. The scenic waterfalls are very much worth the effort. When you’re finished, you’re already right back in downtown!
Getting There:
Glen Burney Trail is located right off of Laurel Lane in Blowing Rock. If you are on Main Street, turn down Laurel Lane and look for Annie Cannon Gardens on the left. The trailhead for Glen Burney is located in Annie Cannon Gardens. You will want to turn left and go down into the gardens and park to access the trail.
Linville Falls – Erwin’s View
This trail is great for families with kids. It is natural and gravel but very well maintained. Be aware that there will be other people on the trail as this is a popular spot. It offers a breathtaking view of Linville Falls from a bird’s eye perspective. You can hear the falls as well as the singing of birds through the valley. The trail is lined with giant, old pine trees on either side. Hiking boots are not required, but there can be mud on the trail. Be aware that there are some stairs on this trail as well as roots and rocks that make it unaccessible to strollers and wheelchairs. The hike takes approximately 45 minutes to complete.
Trail Length: 1.7 Miles out and back
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
Surface: Natural with some gravel portions
Trail Use: Hiking only, leashed dogs ok
Blaze: N/A (Signage on trail.)
Getting There:
From Blowing Rock, turn onto 221 heading towards Linville. Make a right towards the Blue Ridge Parkway, then turn left onto the Parkway. Travel the Blue Ridge Parkway for 26 miles, across the famous Linn Cove Viaduct, and on to Linville Falls. It is milepost 316.4 on the Parkway. It is about a 40 minute drive.
Price Lake Loop
We walked this trail at a leisurely pace and it took about an hour and fifteen minutes to complete. It is easy to moderate because there are some slick portions and some inclines. Make sure to wear shoes with tread and plan to get them a little muddy. The path is often shaded creating muddy spots. The shade and moisture also creates a great atmosphere for moss and ferns to thrive along the trail. Rhododendron grow on either side of the walkway and extend overhead to make a kind of archway for the majority of the trail. They are just starting to bloom and will be very impressive when they are at peak.
Trail Length: 2.3 mile loop
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
Surface: Everything from narrow paved to wide natural and boardwalks.
Trail Use: Walking only, leashed dogs ok
Blaze: N/A
The Rhododendron that are at Price Lake Loop are the Rosebay variety which means they bloom from early to mid-July. That would be an excellent time to take this trail as there are so many Rhododendron surrounding the lake. There are also benches set out intermittently and great views of the lake. Price Lake Boat Rentals is located along the trail too so you can take a break and kayak or canoe around the lake as well.
Getting There:
From Blowing Rock, turn onto US 221 and head towards the Blue Ridge Parkway. Take the Blue Ridge Parkway South towards Grandfather Mountain. You will pass Price Park on the right. Start looking for Price Lake on the left. Once you see the lake you will cross over a bridge. Then turn left into the parking area for Price Lake. The trail is narrow and paved from the parking lot.
