Blue Ridge Parkway - Craggy Gardens Visitor Center

We thoroughly enjoyed ourself here. The landscape up so high is very interesting. If you take the little hike up to the top you have a 360 view of the most breathtaking mountains. But even from the parking lot you have gorgeous views. The hike is not far, and doesn’t take very long to go all the way. There’s a few benches at the top and the perfect place to watch the sun set. Definitely make this trip!!

If you enjoy spectacular mountain views and cooler summertime temperatures, then Craggy Gardens is a place to be visited. If you visit early to mid-June, you will be treated to blooming Rhododendrons. There is a nice picnic area along with some trails. Would recommend the Craggy Pinnacle Trail if you have the time. The trail length is approximately .7 miles in length out and back (1.4 miles round trip). Spend some time at the top, and take in the views. It is well worth the effort!

Very nice visitor center and the prices were reasonable for the merchandise. Plenty of bathrooms. You can get your hiking maps there but they do cost 15 dollars.

Beautiful views of the mountains. It’s a 0.8 mile hike from the picnic area parking lot up to Craggy Gardens, but don’t miss the trail to the garden. Turn off is at the shelter. Beautiful with lots of changes over spring, summer and fall. Moderate hike.

Such a beautiful stop right off the Blue Ridge Parkway. Very beautiful hike. We did the Craggy Gardens trail from the visitor center/parking lot to the picnic area and back. If you are super short on time, you can do a quick hike to the covered rest area, then as you leave the covered area, turn left up the stairs and you will come to a clearing with wildflowers and beautiful Mountain views as shown in the pictures. To go farther to the picnic area, after the covered rest area, go straight and it’s almost an all downhill hike to the picnic area (which means all uphill on the way back). We all agreed we wanted to go back and do some more hikes there and explore when we had more time.

Absolutely love Craggy Gardens. I arrived very early and the visitor center was not open yet. I still was able to explore the trails and take photographs. The Rhododendrons were in bloom which was the reason for my visit.

My favorite spot on this section of the Parkway for spring, summer and fall. Beautiful vista's; shrubby bald with tons of beautiful old rhododendrons, blueberry bushes, wild strawberries and mountain ashe. Hike to top is moderate and well worth the effort. Overlook at visitor's center is worth making the trip, on it's own. Restrooms available, spring fed water fountain, occasional black bear sightings, great photo ops.

The drive up to the Blue Ridge Parkway was awe inspiring. You didn't want to look away from the views the drive presented. There were many spots to stop and take pictures and admire the mountains. There was also wildlife, we saw a black bear!!! Note: you can hike .7 miles to the top of Craggy Gardens. You need to drive about 1/4 mile past the visitor center and there is a nice parking lot with a well traveled trail. Bring water as the hike is strenuous, pretty much straight up.

A stunning way to experience some of the best of the Blue Ridge Mountains. A scenic BR Parkway drive leads to an easy trail to the top, where the view is expansive, gorgeous, and seemingly endless.

One of the highest spots on the parkway, the gardens offer a verdant hiking trail. It is often foggy, and this area feels very much like the Great Smoky Mountains in how water moves around here. The vegetation is quite different than you'll see elsewhere. The parking area for the crag itself is quite large, and if you're lucky enough to catch it on a clear day, the views will be majestic.

We went on a hike here and it was stunning. The views are beautiful, the trail is clean, and there are restrooms at the end which is always a plus.

We stopped by Craggy Gardens twice in one day! Once during the day, we checked out the picnic area and then made our way to the Visitor Center and what stunning views! In the picnic area we sat and just enjoyed all the bees buzzing around the side of the hill. The flowers were bursting with color all around. The visitor center- we returned to before sunset and enjoyed a breathtaking Blue Ridge Parkway sunset and all the magic that goes with it! I need more hiking the Blue Ridge in my future! I love the mountains- go take a hike!

I've done the Craggy Pinnacle Trail a few times now and it's a great trail. Most recently we decided to do it for sunset and it's a great spot for that. The trail is short (only about a mile) and it's pretty easy. I believe this is the high point on the Blue Ridge Parkway, so it can be cold. It's usually at least 20 degrees colder than it is in Asheville. It's nice that this is only about 45 minutes from Asheville, so it's a good stop if that's where you're staying.

Well-marked trail that climbs to a beautiful overlook with views all around. It was a nice hike in early May, and I can only imagine how beautiful it would be when the flowers are in bloom.

The drive up is beautiful and then the top has awesome views. It's a fun hike for a family with elementary aged kids and our lab.

The only downside of this beautiful place is finding the starting point (Google and Apple maps do not take you directly). Wow, the view is amazing! My husband and I wanted to make it to the Pinnacle and we absolutely loved it. It wasn't a long hike (about 45 min) and the views are well worth it.

We went to Craggy Gardens on the cloudiest day and it was extremely foggy navigating up and down the mountain. While we were there in May of 2022, Milepost 121.4 (U.S. 220) to Milepost 135.9 (Adney Gap) were closed due to a full road failure caused by heavy rains, and we could not get up to Craggy Gardens at first. On the GPS, stop signs kept popping up where we were supposed to go, and we finally came upon a closed road. We had to turn around and go completely back down, and then come back up from the other side. You might want to check for any recent news on road closures ahead of time and/or call the visitor center for the best way to get up to Craggy Gardens. Going up Craggy Gardens, the winding roads were narrow so drive carefully as there aren't mirrors to show oncoming traffic coming from the opposite direction when going uphill/downhill. Since the weather was pretty bad, there were barely any people there when we got there. With the park empty, sun covered, fog all around us and temperature 10 degrees colder than the bottom of the mountain, the entire place felt kinda eerie. I wasn't sure about doing the hike anymore, but once we got on the trail, it wasn't foggy at all. In fact it was pretty bright with the occasional light rain. The Rhododendron around us made it feel like walking through an enchanted forest. The whole hike was 1.4 miles roundtrip and was very easy. We got to the summit pretty quickly with our puppy in tow to find that other than the rock wall we were surrounded by, all we could see was fog, and we couldn't see the beautiful 360-degree beautiful mountain views. Unfortunately, this was our only day at Craggy Gardens. On better days, this would have been a great spot for sunrise and sunset views. Even though we couldn't see anything it was still a fun adventure, and cool hike/drive up nonetheless. There were portapotties on site and sufficient parking.

Hadn't hiked in a while but... We came! We saw! And CONQUERED! Honestly the hike is very doable. There were families with small kids that had absolutely NO trouble hiking up to the top haha ***Just note that if you're out of shape(like me) then just take small breaks. Enjoy and take in all the views! You'll eventually get to the top. Just definitely pace yourself, don't over do it and stay on the trails heading all the way up and you'll get there just fine Hike time 20-25mins tops

As of July 2021, the little ranger station here was not open. But that didn't matter; the important thing is that there's parking, there's a view, and there are trails if you want to wander them. This was just a quick trip along a small portion of the Blue Ridge Parkway, so I didn't stay here very long. I'm not much of a hiker but I might have done a little bit of wandering if I'd been in the mood. As it was, I stopped to take just a couple of photos of the breathtaking sight that surrounds the BRP.

3.5 overall 5 stars for sentimental reasons My framily hid painted rocks on the trail for me to find for my birthday during the hike. I was completely clueless about this and in fact missed several of them. But it was a a very sweet and thoughtful gesture. They ended up re-hiding the rocks so I did finally locate them. We were on the way to Craggy Pinnacle, but pulled over into Craggy Gardens because I abruptly interrupted my friend's navigating skills. I knew for certain that Craggy Gardens had bathrooms and someone in our group needed a restroom. *The lot was large and empty as it was on a weekday around 9:40am. They only had port- a potties available as the regular toilets were locked for the season. The port-a-potties fortunately had toilet paper and hand sanitizer available. Since we were already here, we figured we give this trail a chance. Although I had researched that Craggy Pinnacle has way better views. Which Craggy PINNACLE does. But each trail is good in its own right. There were less people on this trail than the Pinnacle trail. From the parking lot up the stone stairs, you will bear left to the stone picnic tables to proceed to Craggy Gardens Trail. Roughly a quarter mile, give or take is a small gazebo to the left of the ascent with partial obstructed views of the mountains. A nice little reprieve. As you go further on (about half a mile from the parking lot from the start) you reach the large shelter pavilion with ledges to sit on and with more shade. It slowly and gradually ascends and winds with larger curves than the Pinnacle trail. While most parts of the trail are narrow, where only one can pass while the other one stands to the side. The paths do slightly open wider. There are plenty of loose rocks and some rock outcroppings. While those with severe ankle or knee problems might not otherwise, be good candidates for this trail, just take in consideration your physical level as well because one might be able to negotiate these with no issues just with extra care and at a slower pace. There's not a lot of jolting or jostling on the joints unless majority of the trail were nature steps or stairs. If you bear to the right uphill there is a bald with better views of the mountains. Although, 3/4ths of us didn't even make it to the visitor center which is through the pavilion and down the rhododendron path, one of my sisters did. She ran it. It's better to just drive to the visitor center/gift shop if you're on your way to Craggy Pinnacle. The visitor center is en route between Craggy Gardens and Craggy Pinnacle. But there's no way to hike from the visitor center to CRAGGY PINNACLE because it would be along the highway. Bring your hiking sticks if you have them! It will offset the load on your joints! Craggy GARDENS trail is a 1.9 mile hike round trip. There are several other trails you can access from Craggy gardens, the mountains to sea trail, and the trail that leads to Cascades and then to Douglas Falls which is another 3 miles which we did not do any of those. Fitness levels: For this trail: Breaking it down to levels of activity realistically. The runner, constantly moving or just plain super active: trail is easy peesy for these types. The moderate level- not a problem. Average with some injuries - can manage but proceed with caution at a slower pace. Couch potato/weekend warrior, old injuries- you will huff and puff, but bring your inhaler. You might need some breaks but you got this!! Unable to handle uneven terrain, have poor balance or need for a cane and can't handle inclines- don't even do this. It took roughly an hour to do the Craggy Gardens Trail round trip with stops. I don't want to deter anyone from hiking. But I just want to give the general public some realistic insight before hitting any trails.

Craggy gardens is by far one of our favorite (quick) hikes in the Asheville area. If you are lucky enough to catch it on a clear day the views are incredible. The hike is fairly easy with a few steep stretches. As long as the weather has been decent the day before the trail is usually super manageable... if it has recently rained... make sure to wear some shoes you don't mind ruining. TIP: Right before making the final climb to the peak--take a right and walk through the small opening in the bushes--there is a second clearing with some killer views.

Nice hike, beautiful view! Would not recommend for elderly people but fun for anyone with good balance who enjoys a nice view.

Gosh, we went on a rainy cool day, just before the rhododendrons bloomed - and it was spectacular. The walk to the gardens was lush and filled with tiny little flowers, and the "heath bald" opened up - like I imagine the craggy coastline of England & Ireland. The clouds flew by and revealed bits of the view -- it was tantalizing, and I'm sorry we couldn't see the view in all its glory -- but this was worth visiting even in bad weather. The gift shop was lovely & had some nice Craggy-Gardens-specific magnets & postcards not available in the larger shop elsewhere on the Parkway.

Beautiful views everywhere! Wow, what an amazing hike! The path is sort of narrow so passing people or getting passed is a little bit of a risk. Each time we just stopped and stepped to the side. There are also a ton of dogs. If you are fearful of dogs, this is not the place for you. Most but not all were on leashes. Many of the picnic tables are eroded concrete versions of their former selves. I would closely look over one before I sat down or had a kid get hurt. It was peaceful and beautiful. I would certainly come back.

Convenient parking location to the start of the trial. The trail is gorgeous. There were tons of bees feasting on all the flowers lining the trail. There's lots of shade and the trail is clean. Most of the trail had stepping stones and conveniently placed rocks making a pathway for you as you ascend to the top. The views are so worth it! Tons of viewing space at the top with a few benches. You'll get unobstructed views as long as the sky is clear. The clouds were rolling in and it's so nice to experience to it all.

Really nice Visitor's Center with Gift Shop, which is following all Covid guidelines.

If you're looking for a simple hike with incredible views less than 45 minutes from downtown Asheville, Craggy Gardens is for you. More specifically, the Pinnacle views trail (.7miles one way- return on the same path). Located just past the visitors center on the left side after you pass through the tunnel, this trail is easy to find in the parking lot (on the higher side of the lot with a small sign that talks about Catawba rhododendron). The trail has a fair number of steps and stones along the journey but is certainly worth the journey to the top (panoramic views!)! From the top you can also see a lake below and the beautiful layers of the mountains near and far. Overall, I would describe this as an easy to moderate short hike that is great for a group. Here's to catching some fresh mountain air during your time in Asheville.

Quick and easy hike up to the top lookout deck at the Craggy Gardens lookout, and it provides the best view anywhere near Asheville! Parking lot was busy but we got a spot with ease around 10am. Dogs can do the hike and although it's only a slight elevation climb, it's full of rock steps and such that might be a little challenging for mobility challenged folks. Overall a great stop to quickly get an amazing view.

I wanted to do a short excursion to the Blue Ridge Parkway on our recent trip to Asheville. We stopped by the Blue Ridge Parkway Visitor Center at 195 Hemphill Knob Road (https://www.yelp.com/biz/blue-ridge-parkway-visitors-center-asheville) and I asked a staff member where the best place, within reasonable driving distance (under an hour), to take pictures is. He told me Craggy Gardens. It was a great suggestion. Craggy Gardens is only about 20 miles north, up the Blue Ridge Parkway, from the visitor center. The drive took about 30-40 minutes. There were several optional stops along the way with nice views. We stopped at three: Tanbark Ridge Overlook (elevation: 3,175 feet), Bull Creek Valley View (elevation: 3,483 feet), and Lane Pinnacle View (pinnacle elevation: 5,230 feet; stop elevation: 3,890 feet). Not only is the destination scenic, but the drive up and back down is as well. I recommend pulling over and enjoying some of these viewpoints if you have time. Craggy Gardens has its own visitor center with restrooms, but it's older and not nearly as nice as the aforementioned Blue Ridge Parkway Visitor Center. The Craggy Gardens Visitor Center is open seasonally. It was closed when we visited during the wintertime as were stretches of the parkway north of the visitor center. Check the National Park Service's map for real-time road closures at https://www.nps.gov/maps/full.html?mapId=e212fcb5-4ff9-4787-bbe4-3d40cc0d0daa#8/36.767/-81.098. Google Maps and Waze are pretty good about Blue Ridge Parkway road closures too. Since we visited during the winter, we presumably did not have to deal with traffic and crowds. The best time to visit Craggy Gardens is early to mid June when the pink and purple Catawba rhododendrons bloom. However, elevated views of the mountain ranges are beautiful year-round. Note that temperatures are 10-20 degrees (Fahrenheit) colder at Craggy Gardens than they are in Asheville so bring a jacket or dress accordingly. We got to experience the really cool visuals of ice and rime at high elevations. The completely iced-over rock walls were neat to see. If you don't like hiking or have limited mobility, Craggy Gardens is great because the visitor center has a relatively spacious parking area, sidewalks, and fantastic picturesque mountain views both to the east and to the west. You don't have to walk far from your car to enjoy these stunning views. To the east, there's a serene view of a lake which is the Burnett Reservoir. To the west, facing Western North Carolina and Tennessee, there are views of the Blue Ridge Mountains as far as the eyes can see. There are a few trails and hikes you can do starting at the visitor center. Two of the hikes are short (less than 2 miles roundtrip) with great payoffs. They are the Craggy Flats (elevation: 5,680 feet) and the Craggy Pinnacle (elevation: 5,892 feet). My girlfriend and I made a quick, impromptu hike up to the Craggy Flats despite not being hikers, not being particularly fond of hiking, and coming ill-equipped. We found the trail to be easy which means for real hikers, it must be really, really, really easy. Significant portions of the trail had completely iced over and I must admit I slipped and fell on my ass on the way down, but I didn't get hurt and it was quite funny. The Craggy Flats is a bald area. It's open, remote, and peaceful. Under non-icy conditions, I estimate it takes about 15 minutes to reach the Flats from the visitor center. It was very cold up there during our visit. It was so cold that my phone shut down due to sub-freezing temperatures. How am I supposed to Yelp under those conditions? ;) At one point, I took off one of my gloves and felt my phone with my bare hands. My phone felt like a block of ice. No wonder why it turned off. Anyway, the hike up to the Flats was worth it. If I ever came back to Craggy Gardens, I'd go check out the Pinnacle. In the end, if you're looking for a simple Blue Ridge Mountain vista to drive to from Asheville that does not involve a lot of (or any) hiking, Craggy Gardens is a terrific option.

We did not do the Craggy Gardens trail, instead we did the Craggy Pinnacle Trail which is past the visitor center. Unfortunately our views were too foggy so we did not get the amazing views. This hike was moderate and took less than an hour to complete.

We stopped at the Craggy Gardens visitor center for restrooms, and then drove less than half a mile further to start the Pinnacle trail. It was a fairly easy hike, 0.7 miles to a beautiful outlook. It was a bit uphill with some rocks to climb up here and there, but not bad. There were a lot of these little bugs that looked like ticks, but we learned were yellow poplar weevils. They kept sticking to us, especially at the top of the trail. We were relieved to learn they are harmless, and I think it was just because of the time of year that we were there (late June). The views were beautiful, as was the drive up here.

Checked out craggy pinnacle today. It was a .7 walk to the top of the craggy dome look out. It was a very foggy morning where the view came and went. The walk was enjoyable and simple to handle. The walk was manageable because of all the stones to walk on. A hike we tried before this one was so muddy and slippery we turned back around and didn't finish it. So we were thankful for this one after a day of rain. After reaching the top the fog circled around, clearing areas for us to view. All in all, It's a nice simple hike to view the surrounding areas.

Review of Craggy Pinnacles Trail at Sunset When we visited, the visitor center was still closed due to covid. But the parking lot and trails were open without restrictions. Coming from Asheville, Craggy gardens is about a 45 minute easy drive on the scenic Blue Ridge Parkway. We came specifically to see the sunset and I would highly recommend this. Many cars were lined up in the parking lot, and while the view was beautiful from there, I don't regret hiking up to the pinnacle. To reach the pinnacle, drive from the visitor center through the tunnel and park in the parking lot to the left of the road. The trailhead to the pinnacle is at the south end of the parking lot. The trail sign is worn off, and it looks like the distance to the top of the pinnacle is 7 miles, but it's really only .7, so don't be scared off. The trail is somewhat rocky and uphill, but definitely doable for anyone in reasonably good health. Too many steps to take a stroller though or wheelchair though. For much of the way you walk through rhododendron trees/bushes. If you come in June, they should be in blossom (We just missed this, sadly). The one way trail dead ends at a stone lookout enclosure. We couldn't believe the 360 degree view at the top, mountains and hills in every direction. Pictures cannot do it justice. Seeing the sunset from this vantage point was one of the most beautiful views I have ever seen. What you should know before you go: It gets blustery and much colder than in Asheville. Bring a jacket, even in summer, especially in the evening. During the summer, it will be busy, especially on weekends. We even observed an engagement photo shoot. The pinnacle is a small area, surrounded by a low rock wall. While everyone was polite and people made room so that we could all see and take pictures, there were no masks and little social distancing. If this concerns you at all, I would not go at sunset. Once that sun goes down, it gets dark fast. We saw some other hikers with flashlights to avoid tripping on the way back which is a great idea. We made do with our phone flashlights. Overall, must see!

Yet another gorgeous part of the Blue Ridge Parkway. Part of my heart and my youth belong in Appalachia -- more specifically, the Blue Ridge Mountains. This quick visit was just what was needed to reset my soul. I took so many photos, but not a single one captures what the eye, and mind, truly sees. Craggy Gardens is a travelers haven in that it offers easy trails for magnificent views...and it has restrooms! (Note these restrooms are not ADA accessible, unfortunately.) Even from the parking lot, one can breathe in the beauty of this place. The gift shop offers many goods, a Ranger for guidance, and more spectacular views from within its walls. Definitely worth a stop on your Blue Ridge adventure.

If you're a gnarly tree person, this place is a must! All those awesome twisty branches creating a gated canopy - yup, this place is so pretty and slightly creepy in that cool Halloween way. Bring your camera, the trees are just so interesting to look at. And then you get to the top, and the views are awesome. Really breathtaking, and it's neat seeing the Blue Ridge Parkway from that perspective. Be prepared, it's very touristy, the parking lot gets crowded and so does the trail. But I still recommend checking it out. It's a short hike up considering the great 360 views you get.

Beautiful views! We drove straight here from our home to catch the sunset and oh man, it was beautiful! There is a pretty good amount of parking here and the hike isn't too long (maybe a little less than a mile each way) but it is steep. I would be careful.. it's not treacherous but it is steep with rocks/stairs. The only tiny complaint I would have is that the summit/view point isn't huge so it can seem a bit crowded especially at sunset. When we arrived there was a wedding happening at the view point.. super cute! The views are beautiful and it's a decent hike! I highly recommend it. It's also a reasonable to downtown Asheville.

We stopped here on a weekend visit and just loved the views. The visitor center has lots of parking and was very busy, and if looking for a bathroom they have plenty of port-a-pots. But come here for the view and then if brave enough head up to the top. We then drove to the parking area near the top and make the hike up. We visited in November and it was cold, plus the ground was very damp. Like so many others we wandered our way to the pinnacle and found a stunning view. Here you can really see the Blue Ridge Mountains and appreciate the beauty. Make your way here if you can handle the ascent, as there are plenty of strides to take going up the trail over the rocks and dirt. But we loved the time here and would return again.

This is an great place to take in panoramic views of the Blue Ridge mountains. From the overlook one can see for miles on a typical clear day. A bonus in the summer is lower temperature than Asheville (often by 10°) and with a nice breeze. At this overlook there is a gift shop and lavatories. To get to Craggy Point drive North for less than a mile and park at the trail head. From there it's a short hike to the summit where views are even better. Or, one can drive South from the overlook and follow the sign for the picnic area where there are two restrooms, running water, picnic tables and beautiful hiking trails.

We hiked craggy gardens trail, which is an out and back trail that starts at the visitor center and stops at a picnic area. It's about 1.9 mi and has a beautiful unique and diverse landscape along the way. It was a nice spot to stop for lunch and a good hike but we did later find out that you can also just park at the picnic area and that the landscape is very similar to the craggy pinnacle hike which has a much bigger payoff at the end. Craggy pinnacle was about 0.9 mi round trip and was moderate with a decent elevation gain, at the top there is a beautiful open peak with a view. I enjoyed both hikes but if you're strapped for time or just don't want to hike that much, choose craggy pinnacle.

This is a great and picturesque hiking trail with both moderate to hard hiking adventures . I visited this popular hiking spot with my wife and kids with the goal of getting a brisk hike in and some spectacular views. We started off by parking along the roadside parking near the visitor information center. Located off of the Blue Ridge Parkway, This parking area can become quite busy and congested during busier times such as weekends and peak season. Luckily there are additional parking and picnic areas located in both directions and trails to help get you there. In fact the "easier trail" which is good for families with small children or people with limited mobility can be reached from the main picnic and parking area just down the road. We chose to hike the harder trail and headed down the trails toward the falls. We didn't plan to make it all the way to the falls however we wanted to see how far we could get and it remain enjoyable. After almost a three mile round trip hike with the kids we were tired and ready to hit the road. We made some great memories and look forward to returning in June when the Craggy's are at full bloom.

The drive to get here alone is worth it. The Blue Ridge Parkway is gorgeous. But we did the Pinnacle hike and there was ample parking at the trailhead. A quick 0.7 mile hike on a moderate incline takes you to 360 views of the mountains. Stunning, and would love to be able to go again at different times of the year to see how the landscape changes with the season.

Yes. GO HERE!! I think this was the highlight of our trip. I was visiting with my husband, infant, and toddler. We hiked the Craggy Pinnacle at sunrise on an early Tuesday morning on the first of October. We do not hike on the regular, but have some experience in the past, so I knew what to expect. It was totally doable with two kids. Our 3.5 yr old son made it to the top on his own, while I had my 3 month old strapped to my chest. Like I said, we went at sunrise, and there was only a handful of people up there. After about 20 mins of the sun being up, they all left, and we had the place all to ourselves. STUNNING views. Fairly windy, so dress accordingly. 10/10 definitely worth the early call time. Go here, you won't regret it. To get to Craggy Pinnacle, go past the Craggy Gardens Visiting center, after the short tunnel, the parking will be the first left. The entrance to the trail will be right there and marked.

I really liked being able to visit Craggy Gardens off of the Blue Ridge Parkway in North Carolina. This entire area is beautiful and scenic and a great area to hike a short trail and take in all of the spectacular views. I enjoyed my visit here and it was a simple and convenient to get to and get in an out of with plenty of parking and easy access. The park was very clean and well maintained and very accessible. There was a nice restroom and information center that was very good too, Craggy Gardens is well worth a quick stop and provides a memorable and fantastic experience.

Beautiful! As you drive on the Blue Ridge Parkway (a national historic road!) out of Asheville you can pull over to Craggy Gardens. It's on your left while heading north. It has ample parking. One thing that blew my mind was the fog. It was perfectly clear and sunny in Asheville, but by the time we had climbed up to Craggy Gardens we were in the thick of the clouds! As a result, the visibility wasn't great. However, we still jumped out and hiked the trail to the top. It's not far, maybe 20 minutes or so max. And on a clear day, I imagine the view is stunning. Even the drive up here was lovely. Keep in mind that the temperature can be 15+ degrees or more cooler than in Asheville, so make sure you bundle up!

Craggy gardens has multiple hiking trails, but by far the most popular has to be the pinnacle trail. Starting at 5,400 ft elevation, it is a short .7 miles of a hike up to the top reach heights of almost 6,000. It is relatively easy, the trail is well defined and on the way up, I noticed its quite popular for photography sessions. Reaching the top, the views can be easily blocked by clouds, but be sure to wait it out because it is spectacular, and usually clears within 5-10 minutes depending on the day. It is located a quarter of a mile past the visitor center, it'll be on your left after you pass the tunnel.

Nice hike in the mountains- but I thought I was in pretty good shape and I was huffing and puffing on my way up. Maybe it was the altitude, or maybe it was my 40-er something lungs. Who knows. My 19 year old son was making fun of me all the way to the top. But teens are jerks so what do you expect? Either way, the view was beautiful from the top and I'm glad I got a little bit of exercise in for the day. Too many good restaurants in Asheville...

We accessed the Craggy Gardens trail from the Blue Ridge Parkway and parked at Bearpen Gap. There is plenty of parking and restrooms and lots of picnic tables. There are signs everywhere to not leave food out because of bears. The distance to the top of the trail is .8 miles and it is moderate. Once you get to the top, you will see a large shelter and then the field opens up. The views are breathtaking. I saw a couple taking wedding or engagement photos and it was the perfect backdrop. The hike was easy to do and you don't need any special gear. We just walked from the car and it was about 45 minutes round trip after stopping to enjoy the view.

Craggy Gardens is a beautiful short but yet medium difficulty hike make sure you bring water! The 360° views are breath taking and well worth the trip!

Wonderful and easy trails. They aren't particularly difficult or long, but they are definitely still worth doing for the views. It can seem to get pretty busy so if you can make it up in the early morning that would probably be best, but either way, it is still well worth it!

What a gorgeous view! We parked at the picnic area to hike craggy gardens, then hiked down to the visitor center. If you have children or elderly park near the visitors center. The hike is 1/2 the distance and not so hard to hike. The views are beautiful.

One of my favorite hikes! Great for families/kids! Awesome 360 view!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Amazing views from here! Very easy day hike to some scenic areas. If in AVL,definitely worth the trip

decent hiking trails! the craggy rock overlook trail only take about 10 mins and it short

Great place for a hike and a picnic. Sometimes it gets a little crowded but it has great views.