A quiet lake loop worth an hour of your time

Trout Lake | Blowing Rock An easy loop hike around a quiet mountain lake — or add a little elevation and distance

The basics: Part of Moses H. Cone Memorial Park, just off Shulls Mill Road near Blowing Rock. The basic loop around Trout Lake is about 1 mile and is flat — figure 30 to 45 minutes at a relaxed pace. Or take the carriage trail toward Rich Mountain and loop back down to add some elevation and distance (about 2.5 miles total). Start at the newly paved parking lot.

What it is: Trout Lake is the kind of place that doesn't announce itself. It's part of the Cone Estate off the Blue Ridge Parkway, quieter than Bass Lake and less trafficked than most of the better-known trails in the area. The path around the lake is mostly gravel, running through hemlock forest and rhododendron thickets, with the lake appearing and disappearing through the trees as you go. Part is on the main access road to the parking lot. It's a genuinely pretty walk around a lake. You can also climb a little by following the signs to Rich Mountain, without going all the way to the summit. Start back down on the loop when you reach the meadow.

What to do: Just walk it. Bear right at any forks to stay closest to the lake. There are open areas and where you get clear views of the water and surrounding hills. The trail also connects to the Mountains-to-Sea Trail and other Moses Cone carriage routes if you want to extend the outing.

Good to know: Trout Lake tends to be quieter than other Moses Cone hikes such as the Flat Top trail, even on busy weekends — a nice contrast if you want to wind down after a more populated hike. It won’t take long or leave your legs sore, but it’s a good I-got-out-and-went-for-a-walk kind of hike.

The move: If you're in Blowing Rock and want an hour outside without a lot of effort or a lot of company, Trout Lake delivers. Flat, pretty and genuinely peaceful. Bring the dog, bring the kids, bring whoever needs a walk.

—Tony Mecia