Please use this link for printable maps of local hikes.

Garden Creek Moonshine Still Hikes

Hike Leader: Bob Hillyer

Friday, Saturday, Sunday 9am

Distance: To be determined

Difficulty: Moderate/Strenuous

 

Meetup Location:

Garden Creek Baptist Church, Stone Mountain State Park

36°23'19.8"N 81°04’09.6"W

 

DIRECTIONS FROM DOWNTOWN ELKIN:

• Take North Bridge Street (Bus US-21N) 3.3 miles.

• Take a right on US-21 BUS N for 0.1 mile.

• Use the 2 left lanes to turn left on US-21 and follow for 8.5 miles.

• Turn left on Traphill Road (just beyond a Dollar General) and stay on Traphill Road for 4.4 miles.

• Turn right on John P Frank Parkway and stay straight for 7.0 miles (the Lower Lot will be on your left).

 

Summary: Explore some of the former liquor stills on this hike along Garden Creek at Stone Mountain State Park.

This hike will require some exploration off trail.

Downtown Elkin Historic Hikes

Hike Leader: Laura Gaylord

Friday & Saturday at noon

Difficulty: Easy, with some hills/stairways  

Distance: 1-2 miles

Approx time: 2 hours

 

Meetup Location:

Trail Tree sign at the east end of Main Street, across from The Liberty/Angry Troll Brewing parking lot.

36°14'42.2"N 80°50'53.6"W

 

Summary: Fun Urban Hike with Laura Gaylord, Elkin’s Main Street Manager, who will explore numerous points of interest, hidden treasures, fun facts, and the history of Elkin’s downtown and its buildings which are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.  Plan for at least 2 hours of exploring; comfortable walking shoes recommended. Rain (bring an umbrella) or shine (bring your curiosity).  

Mahogany Rock Tramway Hike

Hike Leader: Janice Holloway

Saturday 9am

Distance: 5-6 miles

Difficulty: Strenuous

Approx time: 4.5 hours

 

Meetup Location:

Devils Garden Overlook on Blue Ridge Parkway

36°26'02.6"N 81°06’15.3"W

 

DIRECTIONS FROM DOWNTOWN ELKIN:

• Take North Bridge Street (Bus US-21N) 3.3 miles.

• Take a right on US-21 BUS N for 0.1 mile.

• Use the 2 left lanes to turn left on US-21 and follow for 18.7 miles.

• Turn right toward Blue Ridge Parkway after passing under the bridge.

• Take a right on the Blue Ridge Parkway for 6.2 miles.

• Devils Garden Overlook will be on your left. 

 

Summary: In the 1960s and 1970s, a tramway connected Mahogany Rock to the peak of Scott Ridge. On this hike, explore each side of the Tramway and the trails between. Ascend to the top of Mahogany Rock, down, and back up to Scott Ridge.

Then return on this out & back hike. This is a strenuous hike due to the elevation gain. 

Carter Falls/Grassy Creek Vineyard

Hike Leader: Keith Sidden

Saturday 9am

Distance: 6 miles

Difficulty: Easy

Approx 4 hours

 

Meetup Location:

Isaacs Trailhead on Carter Mill Road, Elkin, NC

36°16'52.3"N 80°52’04.7”W

 

DIRECTIONS FROM DOWNTOWN ELKIN:

• Take North Bridge Street (Bus US-21N) 2.1 miles.

• Take a left on Carter Mill Road for 0.9 miles (Isaacs Trailhead will be on your left).

 

Summary: Hike from Isaacs Trailhead on Carter Mill Road (just outside of Elkin) to Carter Falls. On the return of this out and back hike,

enjoy a detour on the Grassy Creek Trail to visit the Grassy Creek Vineyard. The tasting room will be open for business.

Devils Garden to Widows Creek (Mountains to Sea Trail)

Hike Leader: Logan Haynes

Saturday Noon

Distance: 6 miles

Difficulty: Moderate/Strenuous

Approx 4 hours

 

Meetup Location:

Backpacking Lot at Stone Mountain State Park

(a shuttle will take you to Devils Garden and you will hike back to your car)

36°23'43.7"N 81°04’07.3”W

 

DIRECTIONS FROM DOWNTOWN ELKIN:

• Take North Bridge Street (Bus US-21N) 3.3 miles.

• Take a right on US-21 BUS N for 0.1 mile.

• Use the 2 left lanes to turn left on US-21 and follow for 8.5 miles.

• Turn left on Traphill Road (just beyond a Dollar General) and stay on Traphill Road for 4.4 miles.

• Turn right on John P Frank Parkway and stay straight for 6.5 miles (the Backpacking Lot will be on your right).

 

Summary: The western terminus of Segment 6 of the Mountains to Sea Trail is at Devils Garden Overlook on the Blue Ridge Parkway. On this shuttle hike, you will descend over 2,000’ in elevation as the Mountains to Sea Trail leaves the mountains and enters the foothills. There will be a creek crossing on this hike (slightly deeper than a rock hop with normal flow). This hike is listed as moderate/strenuous due to the steep nature of the downhill in certain segments of this hike.

Bluff Mountain Trail - Sunset Hike on

the Blue Ridge Parkway

Hike Leader: Adam Lowe

Saturday 5pm

Distance: 2-3 miles

Difficulty: Easy

Approx 3 hours

 

Meetup Location:

Doughton Park Picnic Area

36°25'18.3"N 81°10’59.0”W

 

DIRECTIONS FROM DOWNTOWN ELKIN:

• Take North Bridge Street (Bus US-21N) 3.3 miles.

• Take a right on US-21 BUS N for 0.1 mile.

• Use the 2 left lanes to turn left on US-21 and follow for 18.7 miles.

• Turn right toward Blue Ridge Parkway after passing under the bridge.

• Take a right on the Blue Ridge Parkway for 12.5 miles.

• Turn left across from the Doughton Park Visitor Center.

• Take a right in 0.1 miles.

• Follow this road until it loops back at a large picnic parking area. Park here.

 

Summary: Sunset views at Doughton Park on the Blue Ridge Parkway are amazing. This hike will begin at the Picnic Loop at Doughton Park. It will follow the Mountains to Sea Trail to the Doughton Park Visitor Center. It will pass beside the Bluff Lodge (no longer operational) as you hike to the Wildcat Rock Overlook. You will then retrace steps back to the picnic area, passing by it to check out the views to the west from Alligator Back. A clear day offers beautiful views of Grandfather Mountain, Mount Jefferson, The Peak, Elk Knob, Three Top Mountain, and many more peaks in the High Country. Due to the setting sun, this hike may offer an abundance of photo opportunities.

Caudill Cabin - Basin Creek Trail

Hike Leader: Josh Griswell

Sunday 9am

Distance: 10 miles

Difficulty: Moderate/Strenuous

Approx 6 hours

 

Meetup Location:

Doughton Park Parking Area on Longbottom Road

36°22'30.7"N 81°08’40.6”W

 

DIRECTIONS FROM DOWNTOWN ELKIN:

• Take North Bridge Street (Bus US-21N) 3.3 miles.

• Take a right on US-21 BUS N for 0.1 mile.

• Use the 2 left lanes to turn left on US-21 and follow for 8.5 miles.

• Turn left on Traphill Road (just beyond a Dollar General) and stay on Traphill Road for 5.2 miles.

• Turn right on Longbottom Road and stay straight for 8.1 miles (the Doughton Park parking area will be on your left just before the bridge over Basin Creek).

 

Summary: Hike the Basin Creek Trail at Doughton Park off the Blue Ridge Parkway to see beautiful waterfalls culminating at a historic cabin. Once a populated community, the flood of 1916 destroyed many homes in the community and some of the residents lost their lives.

The Caudill Cabin still stands as a reminder of a different era in Doughton Park.

There are numerous creek crossings on this hike (approximately 15, each to be revisited on the hike back). 

Town of Elkin - E&A Rail Trail Hike

Hike Leader: Suzanne Puckett

Sunday 10am

Distance: 2.5 miles

Difficulty: Easy

Approx 1.5 hour

 

Meetup Location:

Elkin Recreation Center

36°15'07.5"N 80°51’41.3"W

 

DIRECTIONS FROM DOWNTOWN ELKIN:

• Take North Bridge Street to NC 268 (approx 0.3 miles north of Southern on Main)

• Turn left on NC-268.

• On the left in 3/4 of a mile, the Recreation Center is located just beyond the park playground.

 

Summary: Hike from the Elkin Recreation Center along the Elkin & Alleghany Rail Trail. This hike travels along the Big Elkin Creek and it features a waterfall.