Craggy Gardens

How can names like Craggy Gardens, Craggy Dome, and Craggy Pinnacle not be magnets for hikers? Visible from almost any corner of northwest North Carolina, these barren crests of the Craggy Mountains offer awesome views. Coming from Asheville, the high road starts in sunny lowlands. As the Parkway climbs, eyes are drawn ahead, and the sun often disappears behind a microclimatic weather event caused by the Craggies. Summits and clouds coalesce. The dramatic elevation change often lends the area the feel of much higher mountains. The sunny warmth of Asheville yields to shade and chill breeze. During the coldest part of the year, the Craggy Gardens and the adjacent Mt. Mitchell portions of the Parkway are often closed due to deep snow and severe weather. Some of that spills into even the warmest months—so be prepared for a truly peak experience. This eTrail includes two hike options, The Craggy Pinnacle Trail and Craggy Gardens Trail and longer hike via Mountains-to-Sea Trail.