Looking for a "day trip" a bit further afield? Grandfather Mountain might be just the ticket! It is about an hours drive from the cabins. While the Grandfather Mountain and Mile High Swinging Bridge is very much a tourist destination, it is a beautiful area and has some great trails. While this isn't my typical recommendation for an out-of-the-way destination, it has a lot going for it and can be a very fun day trip!
Grandfather Mountain is home to the Mile High Swinging Bridge, built in 1952, it is America's highest suspension footbridge and was built to give visitors a view to Grandfather Mountain's Linville Peak. The 228-foot suspension bridge spans an 80-foot chasm at more than one mile in elevation. Re-built in 1999 using modern building materials, the walk across this bridge is sure to be the highlight of your trip. Please note that you are required to purchase tickets for admission and the funds from your admission tickets benefit the Grandfather Mountain Stewardship
Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving
and protecting the park for future generations.
Grandfather Mountain has a number of trails across the park from easy to strenuous. If you want to skip the admission to the Swinging Bridge, and hike for free, you can access the trail heads from outside the attraction. There are off mountain trailheads located either on the Blue Ridge Parkway (or U.S. 221 in winter) or N.C. 105. We have maps of the trails and access points in our Lodge building, just ask us!
The mountain also has an excellent Nature Museum, a number of naturalist programs, a globally recognized nature preserve, and is recognized as an "important bird area" by the Audubon Society of NC.
Spend the day hiking, stroll across the Mile High Bridge, enjoy the gorgeous views and appreciate what the Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation is working to preserve.
As you all know, I firmly believe that we live in a wonderful part of the state and I love sharing my suggestions on where to go, what to do and where to eat with our guests.
The pretty Spring weather we are finally enjoying is just perfect for enjoying a glass of wine or beer while sitting around a campfire in the evening. We keep these stocked with firewood for your use.
But before you relax at the end of the day, I would like to suggest grabbing a meal at Pie on the Mountain in Lansing. It is well worth the pretty 15 minute drive to Lansing to go to this quaint pizzeria. The food is fabulous!! Most of the time, the nice guy making the pizza is the owner. It's a small place with friendly staff and great food featuring many locally sourced ingredients. If you aren't a big fan of pizzas with one of the best crusts I have ever tasted, then try their crisp salads or tasty sandwiches and calzones. You can't go wrong with anything on their menu! Pie on the Mountain in Lansing, NC. Open 6 days a week, closed on Tuesdays.
If the great food and good service weren't enough to tempt you to go for a short drive, they also feature work by several local artists on their walls. Our very own favorite artist - Kelly Cameron of Kelly's Color Studio has some great examples of her work displayed in the restaurant for sale.
Should you want to work up an appetite to justify eating loads of great pizza, we suggest a stroll along the Lansing Park and Walking trail, or for the more adventuresome - hike nearby Pond Mountain, a project by the Blue Ridge Conservancy which protects the 1,800 acres overlooking the mountains of Virginia, Tennessee and North Carolina. More information on Pond Mountain can be found here.
