Beacon Heights is a pair of quartzite overlooks with magnificent views of mountain peaks just off North Carolina’s Blue Ridge Parkway. It is a short but steep trail up to the 4,340-foot summit.
Beacon Heights Trail
The hike departs from a parking area and trailhead at Milepost 305.2. There’s a parking lot with 9 lined parking spaces. From there, you cross a small gravel road before heading into the forest.
This trail initially shares the route with Tanawha Trail and Mountains-to-Sea Trail. The feather-blazed, 13.5-mile Tanawha Trail veers to the left, hiking northbound toward Linn Cove Viaduct. Beacon Heights veers right, climbing through a rocky forest. Though it is a short quarter-mile path, Beacon Heights is all uphill with many stone steps, outcrops, and roots so I consider it moderate based on the mobility level needed. It is only around 120 feet of elevation gain.
Three species of rhododendrons (Carolina, Catawba and rosebay) bloom from May to July. Lichen and moss cover boulders.
Around 0.2 miles, the Mountains-to-Sea Trail splits to the right and Beacon Heights splits left.
At 0.25 miles, a bench marks the fork between the two quartzite balds separated by a small patch of forest. To the left, the outcrop faces north and east. To the right, the area faces south.
Beacon Heights
I chose to start with the right outcrop. Here I had panoramic views of Grandmother Mountain, Mount Mitchell, Table Rock Mountain, and Linville Gorge. As it was early October, bright autumn leaves carpeted the valleys and peaks.
Then I backtracked to the bench and took the left arm. There is an additional short climb up to the overlook.
This side highlights the neighboring Calloway Peak at Grandfather Mountain and Linn Cove Viaduct.
The mountain’s wide, gently curved summit is dotted with large boulders and shallow craters that collect rainwater.
Once you have finished enjoying the scenery, retrace your steps back to the trailhead.
Nearby Hiking Trails
If you are looking for additional nearby hikes on the Blue Ridge Parkway, check out the Linn Cove Viaduct, Rough Ridge, Julian Price Memorial Park, and Flat Rock Trail.
Simply magnificent! Autumn is the season for this hiking trail. Once again, thanks for all the information you provide including parking spaces available.