Welcome to the first edition of The Mountain Ledger, a weekly email newsletter highlighting things to do and news to know in Blowing Rock, Boone and the High Country. If you like this newsletter and find it useful, tell a friend! And feel free to drop us a line. Find out more about The Mountain Ledger here.
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You’ve got options for a quick stroll or a steady climb: flat paths, waterfalls and panoramic overlooks
View from the Rough Ridge Trail, 30 minutes west of Blowing Rock, in the fall of 2025. (Photo: Tony Mecia/The Mountain Ledger)
Blowing Rock sits at nearly 4,000 feet elevation, which means even a casual walk comes with mountain air and scenic payoff.
Whether you're looking for an easy stroll or something with a little more challenge, there are good options within a short drive of downtown.
Here are some worth checking out:
Bass Lake
1 mile loop
Easy
Bass Lake offers a flat, easy one-mile loop that works for all ages and fitness levels — a good pick for families or anyone looking for a relaxed walk. If you want to up the distance or difficulty, you can connect to the Maze Trail (loop) or continue up toward Moses Cone, each of which adds elevation and more of a workout. The estate grounds are well-maintained and scenic, with open fields and mountain views.
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Trout Lake
1-mile loop
Easy
A pleasant 1-mile hike with just a little bit of elevation change. The trail circles a pretty lake with nice views. You can add some distance and elevation by taking the carriage trail toward Rich Mountain and loop back down when you get to the field (about 2.5 miles total). It’s not overly crowded, which makes it a good pick if you want some peace and quiet. Easy enough for most hikers but still feels like a real nature experience. Read more.
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Glen Burney Trail
2.6-mile out-and-back (round-trip)
Moderate
A 2.6-mile trail close to downtown Blowing Rock that starts out flat for the first quarter mile before dropping down into a more narrow, steeper path. There's a small waterfall and some nice spots to sit along the way, including benches and rocks where you could stop for a picnic. Parking is available nearby with a small lot, and there's also a public parking deck across the street. The elevation gain on the return trip makes it more of a workout than it first appears — moderate difficulty overall. Watch video.
There is sort of a waterfall at the end.
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Rough Ridge Trail
1.2-mile out and back
Moderate
A short but rewarding 1.2-mile out-and-back hike along the Blue Ridge Parkway near Grandfather Mountain. Known for exposed rock outcroppings and panoramic views, it's considered one of the best bang-for-your-buck hikes in the region. Moderate difficulty given the rocky terrain and a few steep parts. Be aware that getting to it is trickier than usual in the summer of 2026 because of Parkway closings – you have to get there from the Grandfather Mountain side.
Georgia enjoys the views. Or did she see a squirrel?
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Flat Top Mountain
5-mile out and back
Moderate
The view from the fire tower.
This hike winds through meadows and forest before climbing steadily to a summit crowned by a historic fire tower. The payoff is a sweeping 360-degree view of the mountains, along with memorable touches like a peaceful meadow and small cemetery along the way. It’s appealing because it strikes a rare balance: accessible for most hikers but rewarding enough to feel like you truly earned the view at the top. Park at the Moses Cone Estate. Read more.
THINGS TO DO
Jam out, kite festival, food trucks, rhododendron walk, arts and crafts
THURSDAY
“Old Time Jam,” 7-10 p.m. at Jones House Community Center, 604 West King St., Downtown Boone. Bring an acoustic instrument and play along with other musicians, or just come to listen. All skill levels are welcome. Free.
SATURDAY
"Mile High Kite Festival," 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Town Hall Park, 403A Beech Mountain Parkway, Beech Mountain. Kite flying, live music, and craft and food vendors. Free kites for kids 12 and under to decorate while supplies last. Free.
"Food Truck Festival," 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Sugar Mountain Resort, 1009 Sugar Mountain Drive, Sugar Mountain. Food trucks, chair lift rides, mountain biking, yard games, and live music. Free entry. Food truck prices vary. Kids fun center $20.
SATURDAY-SUNDAY
"Rhododendron Ramble," 1 p.m. at Grandfather Mountain, 2050 Blowing Rock Highway, Linville. A short, guided walk highlighting the mountain's rhododendron blooms. Wheelchair and stroller accessible. Admission to Grandfather Mountain required.
SUNDAY-MONDAY
"Art on the Greene," 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Historic Banner Elk School Grounds, 200 Park Avenue, Downtown Banner Elk. Handmade arts and crafts from 40-60 local and regional artisans. Free.
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🎵 Live music this weekend
FRIDAY
“The Conundrums,” 5:30-8:30 p.m., Music on the Lawn, The Inn at Ragged Gardens, 203 Sunset Drive, Blowing Rock. The Conundrums blend “gritty rock-and-roll energy with deep blues roots.” Free.
“Rastacoustic,” 7-9 p.m., Booneshine Brewing Co., 465 Industrial Park Dr, Boone. Rastacoustic is a reggae ensemble combining traditional roots reggae with their own distinctive style of jazz, funk and jam music. Free.
SATURDAY
"Heavens to Betsy," 6-9 p.m. at Lost Province, 130 N. Depot St., Downtown Boone. Live music at the downtown brewery and restaurant. Free.
SUNDAY
"Danny Whittington," 4-7 p.m. at Town Tavern,1182 Main St., Blowing Rock. Live music at this lively Blowing Rock bar. Free.
REAL ESTATE WATCH
Check out the ‘WOW House’ off U.S. 221 — asking price: $4M
(Photos from High Country MLS via Zillow)
About 10 minutes west of downtown Blowing Rock, off U.S. 221, sits a 6,300-square-foot mountain estate that its listing agent has taken to calling the "WOW House."
That might sound like marketing, but the specs make a reasonable case for it:
panoramic views down Wilson Creek Valley and across the eastern rim of Linville Gorge
a heated infinity pool
three en-suite primary bedrooms
a chef's kitchen, sauna, and media room
It’s all on a private, secluded lot that's still five minutes from the Blue Ridge Parkway.
The asking price is $3.999 million, reduced by $151,000 in March.
It's been on the market for nearly 100 days — long-ish, but at this price point, buyers don't move fast.
The listing agent is Chris Spangler of Howard Hanna Allen Tate Real Estate in Blowing Rock.
LOCAL NEWS OF NOTE
Tax hike proposed, Parkway construction, hotel plans, Boone mayor
Property tax hike proposed for Blowing Rock: Blowing Rock's interim town manager is proposing a $19.6 million budget that would raise property taxes by 5 cents per $100,000 in valuation, or $300 a year on a $600,000 house, driven largely by higher state-mandated pension costs. (Mountain Ledger)
Parkway construction: Blue Ridge Parkway construction is closing three sections near Blowing Rock this spring and summer, requiring drivers to detour via U.S. 221 to reach popular spots like Cone Manor, Price Lake, Boone Fork, Rough Ridge Trail, and Grandfather Mountain. (Mountain Ledger)
Plans for hotel/restaurant in Blowing Rock: Blowing Rock’s planning board recommended approval of a proposed 85-room hotel and restaurant development called The Laurel on the north side of Main Street between Hill Street and the entrance to Chetola Resort, while adding conditions aimed at addressing traffic, design and neighborhood concerns. (Watauga Democrat)
Meet Boone’s 26-year-old mayor: Dalton George was just 22, driving a beat-up El Camino, when he won a seat on Boone's town council — and now at 26 he's mayor, earning $18,000 a year for a job that consumes 30 to 40 hours of his week on top of his actual full-time gig protecting wolves and hellbenders. He's also a self-described birder with at least one bird tattoo. (Real Boone Podcast, summarized in Mountain Ledger)
Thanks for reading the inaugural edition of The Mountain Ledger newsletter.
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