For nature lovers, there is nothing like an adventure in the mountains.
Whether you are looking to hike and explore the trails in North Carolina’s Blue Ridge Mountains or chill out by a cozy fire after a long day in the Appalachian woods, there is a mountain adventure waiting for you on the East Coast.
Grab your hiking boots and check out our favorite mountain destinations along the East Coast.
The Blue Ridge Mountains
Packed with laid-back villages and charming small towns, the mountains of the southeastern United States offer plenty to do year-round.
Lookout Mountain
Check out Rock City, at the top of Lookout Mountain ten minutes from downtown Chattanooga, Tennessee where you will find the 4,100-foot Enchanted Trail where you will encounter amazing rock formations, caves, flowers, and stunning scenery. Don’t miss out on seeing Lover’s Leap, a rock that juts out of the mountain with a waterfall with an amazing legend behind it. Plus, it is said that you can see seven states from Lookout Mountain!
Chimney Rock Park
Next, take a trip to Chimney Rock Park, one of North Carolina’s newest state parks. You’ll be in awe of stunning panoramic views of Hickory Nut Gorge, Lake Lure, and the Carolina Piedmont in Chimney Rock Park. The summit of Chimney Rock is accessible by trail or by a 26-story elevator built inside the mountain.
The Park has something for every hiker, from the family-friendly Great Woodland Adventure Trail to the more adventurous Four-Season trail with a climb of 400 feet. When you hike the Hickory Nut Falls trail, the reward at the end is the 404-foot falls, one of the highest waterfalls on the East coast.
Plus, if you want to give rock climbing a try, Chimney Rock offers guided rock-climbing lessons for beginner to advanced climbers. Bring your dog along, this park is pet-friendly!
Gorges State Park
Gorges State Park is considered North Carolina’s Crown Jewel. Here you will find plunging waterfalls, rugged river gorges, and sheer rock walls. The Park is home to over 20 falls and is the jumping-off point for one of the most visited falls in North Carolina, Rainbow Falls.
While reaching some of the park’s falls can be demanding, you’ll no doubt be glad you took on the challenge the moment you see the pristine waterfalls in this beautiful park.
The Appalachian Mountains
Maine’s High Peaks Region
The sky’s the limit for adventure in Maine’s “High Peaks Region” home to 10 of Maine’s highest peaks. It is also home to part of the Appalachian Trail and offers great hiking, biking, camping, kayaking, and paddling of many kinds on Maine’s pristine rivers and glacial lakes. And of course, with all the mountains and water, you know that you’ll see some spectacular falls.
Mount Greylock State Reservation
When you reach the summit of Mount Greylock State Reservation, you will be at the highest point in Massachusetts at 3,491 feet. Here you will be passing through the landscape that inspired famed writers Nathaniel Hawthorne, Henry David Thoreau, and Herman Melville.
You can drive to an observation tower, but you can also hike the mountain. Be warned: it is quite a climb with a good amount of elevation gain.
Mount Washington State Park
The highest point in New England, Mount Washington State Park in New Hampshire, offers extreme elevation which makes it famous for having multiple weather patterns that converge as one—and the possibility for snow year-round. The weird thing is trees don’t grow near the summit. A road and a cog railway allow visitors to get to the peak.
The Pinnacle
Thru-hikers on the Appalachian Trail and day hikers alike hike along this trail to soak in the picturesque views at the Pinnacle Summit. Located along the Blue Mountain Ridgeline, this stunning viewpoint allows gives visitors a peek at the rolling farmlands of Pennsylvania below.
McAfee Knob
McAfee Knob, tucked into the Jefferson National Forest in Virginia, is a spot that you won’t want to miss. This 4.5-mile hike will take you up to 1,740 feet in elevation which will be well worth it when you are looking over the ledge on McAfee Knob where you are practically floating above the Shenandoah Valley. P.S. This one is not a summit for the faint of heart!
While this is not a comprehensive list of all the beautiful mountain destinations on the East Coast, we hope you find a summit that you love and get to enjoy the fresh air this summer!
Adventure with 3RK
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