As beautiful as North Carolina is any time of the year, autumn brings out its best sights, adorning our state with vibrant displays of color. Trees change to various shades of red, orange and yellow, creating an outdoor show that's not to be missed. The Western Piedmont offers many fantastic spots for viewing fall foliage and leaf peeping is a fantastic activity to enjoy with the family this season. Here are our favorite places to see fall colors in and around our local area:
1. Brown Mountain Overlook - Travel 14 miles north of Morganton on Hwy 181 to the Brown Mountain Overlook for views of the 2,600ft high mountain to the east and Table Rock and Hawksbill Mountain to the west. Brown Mountain is also home to a centuries old phenomenon of ghost lights sometimes visible over the peak at night.
2. Price Lake - Price Lake is on the Blue Ridge Parkway south of Blowing Rock at milepost 296.7. With views reaching to Grandfather Mountain and colors reflecting off the water, this is a beautiful spot to view foliage whether or not you decide to take the easy 2.7 mile loop trail around the 47-acre lake.
3. Grandfather Mountain - One of the highest peaks in the Blue Ridge Mountain range with an elevation of 5,946ft, Grandfather Mountain offers panoramic vistas from its rocky summit and the Mile High Swinging Bridge. The entrance to Grandfather Mountain is located on U.S. 221, two miles north of Linville and one mile south of the Blue Ridge Parkway at Milepost 305.
4. Beacon Heights - A short 0.5 mile hike off milepost 305.2 on the Blue Ridge Parkway brings you to Beacon Heights with two overlooks offering views of Grandfather Mountain and multiple mountain rages including Mount Mitchell off in the distance. It's a great spot for a picnic with a large rock area to spread out and lay out on.
5. Linville Falls - Located on the Blue Ridge Parkway near milepost 316.4, Linville Falls is a spectacular waterfall made even more beautiful in autumn. Two hiking trails bring you to five viewpoints of the 90ft falls surrounded by steep walls of the Linville gorge.
6. Table Rock - The prominent peak of Table Rock is visible throughout the Morganton area and has been described as "the most visible symbol in the region." A 1.1 mile hike to the 3930ft summit is strenuous in some parts but well worth the spectacular views of Linville Gorge down below. The trailhead is located 9.5 miles from Hwy 181 and the intersection with Ginger Cake Road.
7. Wiseman's View - The 0.2 mile handicap accessible trail to Wiseman's View Overlook is not nearly as tricky as the road to the trailhead. Located 5 miles south down the gravel Kistler Memorial Hwy (aka Old NC 105) off Hwy 183 from the village of Linville Falls, Wiseman View boasts views of Hawksbill Mountain, Table Rock, and the Linville River nearly 1500ft below at the bottom of Linville Gorge, one of Eastern America's most scenic and rugged gorges.
8. Rough Ridge - Views of Grandfather Mountain, Linn Cove Viaduct and even Mount Mitchell await after a 0.3 mile uphill hike on Rough Ridge located at milepost 302.8 on the Blue Ridge Parkway. This is a very popular hike and a great spot to view the sunset, as well as one of the first areas on the Blue Ridge Parkway to display fall colors.
9. Graveyard Fields - Graveyard Fields, located at milepost 418.8 on the Blue Ridge Parkway, is also one of the first spots in the mountains for color. Surrounded by 6,000ft peaks, the valley boasts a creek with three waterfalls and numerous hiking trails. The view from the overlook is spectacular and worth the drive especially if timed correctly during peak fall color.
10. Chimney Rock - Chimney Rock is a 315-foot granite rock formation at Chimney Rock State Park soaring 1200ft above the valley floor and offering stunning 75-mile views overlooking Lake Lure and the Hickory Nut Gorge. Autumn color peaks later here than in most of the Blue Ridge Mountains due to a lower elevation. Chimney Rock State Park is located 25 miles southeast of Asheville on US 64/74-A and admission is charged to enter the park.
Plan a day trip into the mountains this autumn to enjoy these great spots and wonderful displays of fall color. Follow Fall Color Guy on Facebook for foliage reports to find out what areas are peaking throughout the season.
Like this article? Macaroni Kid Hickory/Western Piedmont is full of useful local information like this PLUS tons of kid-friendly events on our event calendar.
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