The Great Craggy Mountain range are a subrange of the Blue Ridge Mountains and encompass 194 square miles. How fitting that the beautiful hiking trails and picnic areas on this range are called Craggy Gardens! The popular hiking trails are just off of the Blue Ridge Parkway and are a short 20 minute drive from the Sourwood Inn. We love to share our favorite hiking spots and two of them can be found on Craggy Mountain.
Craggy Garden Views
The Blue Ridge Mountain Parkway includes stunning mountain vistas. These views are especially breathtaking in the spring and fall. While there are many places to stop, our favorite destination that captures “the essence of the Blue Ridge Mountain Parkway” is at the Craggy Gardens! Here you will find a unique flora with whimsical tree growth and stunning rock formations. Many of the trails have stunning displays of rhododendrons, wild flowers and wild blueberries.
Craggy Garden Trails
There are five different trails located on Craggy Mountain and a detailed description of each can be found here. Our favorites are the Craggy Gardens Hiking Trail and the Craggy Pinnacle Trail which are highlighted below:
Craggy Gardens Trail
This 1.9 mile round trip hike climbs from the Blue Ridge Parkway, meandering through a beautiful forest to a grassy summit meadow. At the summit, blooming rhododendron are abundant in June, and blueberries and blackberries are plentiful in late summer months. it takes just a few steps onto the trail to realize that this is quite a unique place filled with beautiful plants and twisted, gnarled trees that thrive in this high elevation wonderland.
Craggy Pinnacle Trail
This popular 1.2 mile round trip trail offers the most magnificent views for the least amount of walking. The moderate trail begins from the upper level of the Craggy Dome Parking Overlook (just north of the tunnel that is in view from the visitor center). Hikers are rewarded with a breathtaking 360-degree view from its summit. Tunnels of rhododendron, gnarled sweet birch trees, and wildflowers abound from the trail’s beginning to its crest.
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Map of the Craggy Garden Trails
Craggy Garden Picnics
Natural picnic areas can be created all along the trails. There is a formal picnic area that is a short walk from the Parking Area. The tables are made of concrete and spaced randomly on the slope of the hill. The view from the picnic area is stunning.
Come Stay with us
Come stay with us at the Sourwood Inn where you will find peaceful mountain views and a private hiking trail on our 100 acre property. Start your morning with a cup of fresh roasted coffee or tea while meandering around our hiking trail that includes a serenity pond and tea house. In the afternoon bring your glass of wine or refreshment to the tea house and stop by for a game of horse shoes.
Come and stay with us where you will find “Fine lodging and farm direct dining on Elk Mountain”
