Craggy Pinnacle and Craggy Gardens are the perfect stop to hike along the Blue Ridge Parkway. Come in June to see the rhododendrons in bloom.
Happy Wednesday friends!
This week is flying by for me. Winter seems to drag, but time in summer seems to go by at warp speed. I want to enjoy as many "summer" activities as possible like hiking in these gorgeous mountains I call home. Yet, there never seems to be enough time!
Today I'm revisiting the Craggy Gardens hike I went on the other week. I mentioned it briefly in my Hiking Shoe Giveaway post, but promised more detail today! Btw, the hiking shoe giveaway is open until June 24th, so don't forget to enter!
The Craggy Gardens hike and Craggy Pinnacle Trail is one of my favorite easy hikes near Asheville. The hubs and I always have a great time going. This time around we started our adventure at Craggy Pinnacle.
I have been a few times now, but never caught the famed rhododendrons in bloom.
They were just starting to bud when we were there, but now (early to mid June) is the peak time to see them.
They were so beautiful and totally lived up to expectations!
The trail for the Craggy Pinnacle Hike is rocky and uneven at points and does gain 252 feet elevation. It's not for everyone, but it is a pretty easy hike for the area.
My favorite part is the tunnel of old twisty trees covering the path.
The weather is tricky and unpredictable at this elevation and it is hard to find a perfectly clear day to see down to the valleys! It seems like every time we go we dodge clouds, but it is still worth it. If you go, take a sweater because the weather can be 15-20 degrees cooler than Asheville.
It's about a 1.5 mile round trip hike that goes from 5,640 feet to 5,892 feet.
I just can't get enough of the flowers. The rhododendrons are spectacular and make the views and pictures even more beautiful.
Near the top, there is a fork in the trail.
Take the upper trail to get to the pinnacle.
If you can catch a moment between the clouds, the views are so pretty! I especially love this time of year because of the contrast of the spring green foliage next to the Carolina blue skies.
Do be on the lookout for pesky clouds and storms though! They can move in quickly. Look at those clouds!
I always find the hike back down more tricky, but take your time and you will be fine!
After enjoying the Pinnacle hike, the hubs and I went back to the Craggy Gardens hike area. The rhododendrons were a little more in bloom there (slightly lower elevation) and made for some gorgeous pictures.
This alone made the trip worth it!
If you have any free time this time I year and you are in the area, I highly recommend the trip!
Travel tip: Driving North from Asheville the trip is only 24 miles, but takes closer to 45 minutes due to the slower speed limits on the parkway. Craggy Gardens is located at Milepost 364 and the Craggy Pinnacle Trail is just a short drive up at Milepost 364.4. Take a lunch and eat at the Craggy Gardens picnic area to make a day out of it!
Thanks for stopping by today! Come back tomorrow for a tasty and seasonal salad featuring strawberries. The homemade dressing is so easy and is made with ingredients you probably already have in the pantry.
I’m linking this post with Wild Workout Wednesday and Jill Conyers for Fitness Friday. Thank you so much ladies for the link up party!
Your turn!
Favorite hike? GO!
jill conyers says
What a beautiful place to hike. Hiking is a family favorite!
JulieWunder says
Thanks Jill! Our too.
Pragati // Simple Medicine says
That stone path is so beautiful! Lovely pictures 🙂
JulieWunder says
Thanks you Pragati!
Jess @hellotofit says
Look at that view! Gorgeous flowers, too. Hiking this time of year is nice - so much green and color!
JulieWunder says
I agree! The green is so vibrant right now!
Dan says
beautiful blooms and views , a great way to spend the weekend , slippery when wet though. yep , ordered my 'spiralizer' today , looking forward to using it to make some pasta recipes . . thanks for the links , enjoyed wild Wednesday workout 🙂
JulieWunder says
Thanks Dan!!! Yes-- very slippery when wet. I try to NOT hike after a really rainy day 🙂 I've already spiralize several more times. It's awesome. Thanks for stopping by today!
Sam @ PancakeWarriors says
I was just here in the fall - I would love to go back soon.
JulieWunder says
So cool!!!! Glad you got to see it! Thanks for stopping by today!
Annette @ Sweating Through Life says
Those pictures are amazing! I'm always on the lookout around my area for amazing hikes, but unfortunately, we don't have a lot out here that is easily accessible. So, I'll just continue to enjoy other's views for now!!
JulieWunder says
Bummer! I know I'm really lucky to have access to all of this, so I try to take advantage of it! Thanks for stopping by today!
Robin @ Simply Southern Baking says
What a great hike with beautiful views. 🙂
JulieWunder says
Thanks Robin! You should go this summer! It's pretty easy!
Nicole @ Fitful Focus says
Wow! that looks so beautiful! I'd love to hike there.
JulieWunder says
Thanks Nicole! It's a really cool place!
Susie @ SuzLyfe says
Stunning! I love how much you all get out and explore!
JulieWunder says
I try!!! One of my goals when I left the TV station was to find time to do more stuff like this!
Danyelle Musselman says
Those views are breathtaking!
JulieWunder says
Thanks Danyelle!
Norma Clayton says
Awesome pictures! My husband and I were there on Sunday afternoon. We hiked the .7 of a mile trail to the top, and even though it was overcast, the views were still spectacular. We saw the cutest little garter snake on one of the outcroppings about half way up the trail. We are so blessed to live in such a beautiful part of the world!
JulieWunder says
Oh my!!!!! A snake? Haha! I am terrified of snakes. I do my best not to look tooooo closely!
So glad you guys had a great time as well. Such a cool place and such gorgeous mountains!
Lori @ TheHealthMinded.com says
The vivid colors of those rhododendrons! I love that area off the parkway - pure heaven! Hiking is one of my favorite forms of exercise!
JulieWunder says
Me too! It just feels so great to get out in the fresh air and move. It's one of my favorite things to do on a Saturday. Thanks for stopping by today 🙂
Jamie says
Love that hike! So many gorgeous views. I honestly don't have many places to hike near me, but am hoping to go to NY in the Hudson Valley area this summer to explore some trails there. The other hike I've been on which I loved was along the Potomac in DC.
JulieWunder says
That sounds like fun! I hope you get to do it!
Lauren says
Oh my gosh! I just started following your site. This is where my husband and I got engaged. Right up there on that wall that you're sitting on. I loved looking at your pictures, we haven't been back since we got engaged there 7 years ago! I think we need to go back.
JulieWunder says
No way!!!! How cool is that? Yes, you should come back!
Thanks for finding my site and I hope to see you again.
Sue @ This Mama Runs for Cupcakes says
Looks like a beautiful hike! I wish we had some good hiking close by that I could take the boys on!
JulieWunder says
This is a great one for kids your age! I feel very blessed to have this!
Sarah@creatingbettertomorrow says
Oh my...breathtaking! I think I could hike forever on those beautiful trails...makes IN look sooo flat and boring!
JulieWunder says
It is a really cool place to live!! I feel very blessed.
Joanna @Makingmine says
Wow, what a beautiful hike! The view, the flowers - amazing!
JulieWunder says
Thank you so much Joanna!!
Deborah @ Confessions of a Mother Runner says
looks like a beautiful place to hike. My hydrangeas are just starting to bloom and those are my fave.
JulieWunder says
Mine are too! I love them as well. I'm just a flower child really. haha!
Annette says
These remind me of the rhododendrons of my home in Pittsburgh, we don't have them here in Florida. In the yard of my childhood home we had beautiful deep red rhododendrons. Thank you for sharing and reminding me of this beautiful flowering shrub.
JulieWunder says
They are so pretty in Pitt too. The vegetation is so different here. I hope you have a great day.
Libby Haire says
You are right, Julie, gorgeous. Thanks for sharing your good ideas and especially including directions to get there.
Have you ever taken the Parkway it's full length?
JulieWunder says
Thank you Libby! I have never taken the parkway full length. Maybe one day!
Annmarie says
Wow, SO pretty and your photography is STUNNING! Thanks so much for linking up <3
JulieWunder says
Thank you!!!!! I've been working hard on my pics.
Kathleen says
Looks nice. Yep summer goes fast.
Julie I have a question about ticksand hiking with my dog. He is furry fluff ball. I give him flea and tick med. How does that work if a tick were to get on him.
JulieWunder says
Oh wow! To be honest with you, I'm not sure. But if you use the one your vet recommends and apply it when you are supposed to, It should work. There are sooooo many ticks out there right now so it is so important. I don't take Rhett with me (his legs are too tiny to handle this & he is nearly 14) and when we had Reina we always looked her over really well before we brought her back in the house.
I wish I had an answer, but I will have to refer to your vet 🙂
Blane Sherer says
Awesome shots ( especially of the rhododendrons ).
Nice outfit too.
JulieWunder says
Thank you so much!