Grandfather Trail Ladders

Grandfather Trail

The literal pinnacle of hikes on Grandfather Mountain is the challenging, strenuous Grandfather Trail across the crest of its three peaks of MacRae, Attic Window and Calloway. It’s spectacular but not for the faint of heart. In fact, only experienced hikers should attempt. There are chutes where progress is hand-over-hand and some extra steep sections where hikers use in-place cables and ladders. While it’s one of the most technical hikes in the East, no special equipment is required.

Grandfather Trail is accessed from the Top Shop parking lot or the Black Rock Parking Area, three curves below the summit parking area. It also can be reached via the Profile Trail (west side) or Daniel Boone Scout Trail (east side) at the State Park trailheads.

Grandfather Trail

Grandfather Trail Details: 2.4 miles (3.8 km) Allow 5+ Hours

This upper mountain ridge trail features astonishing variety, running in and out of wind-dwarfed spruce and fir, across or around rock walls and pinnacles, and into open spaces with views of mountains unfurling in every direction. The jumbled-up, rocky features of this trail are so massive and distinct they appear to have cropped up by mistake — then decided to hang around for another millennium or two. (Pic above: Hikers enjoy the view from atop MacRae Peak.)

The route follows the crest of Grandfather Mountain from the Top Shop Parking Area out 2.4 miles to Calloway Peak. It was along this trail two centuries ago that noted French explorer and botanist Andre Michaux broke into song thinking he had arrived at the highest point in North America. A century later, famed naturalist John Muir was inspired to describe the sight as “the face of all Heaven come to earth.”

Extra steep sections require hikers to use in-place cables and ladders. If you are timid of heights, this trail is not for you. An alternative to taking the ladders up MacRae Peak is to opt for the more sheltered Underwood Trail (see below). Total vertical gain is almost 1,800 feet. Allow at least 5 hours for the entire 4.8-mile roundtrip hike, since the best hikers only average 1 MPH speed.

Be prepared for sudden weather changes and windy conditions. To plan your hike, see our Grandfather Hiking Tips.

Grandfather Trail

Grandfather Trail: Mile-By-Mile

Start at Top Shop Parking Area or Black Rock Parking Area (5,022 ft.) via Grandfather Trail Extension (adds 3/10 of a mile)

  • 0.00 Mile: Top Shop Parking Trailhead, elevation 5,250
  • 0.5 Mile: Underwood Trail Junction
  • 0.9 mile: MacRae Peak, elevation 5,845 ft.
  • 1.1 miles: Underwood Trail Junction #2
  • 1.2 miles: Attic Window Peak (elevation 5,880 ft) & The Chute
  • 1.3 miles: Indian House Cave
  • 1.5 miles: Alpine Meadow
  • 2.0 miles: Calloway Gap, elevation 5675 ft., intersection of Profile Trail
  • 2.1 miles: Cliffside Campsite
  • 2.3 miles: Watauga View
  • 2.4 miles: Calloway Peak, elevation 5,946 ft.
Grandfather Trail Ladders

Underwood Trail

Splitting off the Grandfather Trail at Grandfather Gap at approximately 0.5 mile, the Underwood Trail bypasses ladder climbs on MacRae Peak. It rejoins the Grandfather Trail between MacRae Peak and Attic Window, about a mile out. The trail makes a steep, rocky loop under the crest line around Raven Rock Cliffs. Going out along Grandfather and returning along Underwood makes an excellent loop hike from the Swinging Bridge.

Raven Rocks Loop: Using the Underwood Trail, many hikers create a loop, going to MacRae Peak for the big views, then looping back via the Underwood Trail. While this hike is just over two miles roundtrip, it includes some of the most challenging trail sections on Grandfather. On AllTrails, this hike is referred to Raven Rocks Loop.

Know Before You Go

The Chute Grandfather Trail

Grandfather Mountain | Home to the Swinging Bridge, Animal Habitats and Nature Museum

GPS: 2050 Blowing Rock Highway, Linville, NC 28646
Mailing: PO Box 129, Linville, NC 28646
1-800-468-7325

Owned & operated by Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation.
Go here for Grandfather Mountain State Park information.
Member of Southern Highlands Attractions