The Loveliest Mountain in North Carolina Has a Mile High Bridge, Scenic Route & Rare Creatures

Grandfather Mountain, North Carolina

The highest peak in the Blue Ridge Mountains has a bit of everything that makes North Carolina great. Grandfather Mountain rocks the famous Mile High Swinging Bridge, some seriously good hiking trails, and views that’ll make you forget you’re in the South.

Sure, the weather up here does whatever it wants, but that’s part of what makes this 6,000-foot mountain worthy of your bucket list.

The Rocks Are More Than a Billion Year Old

When you touch the rocks on Grandfather Mountain, you’re connecting with some of the oldest exposed stones in North America.

While the mountain formed around 300 million years ago, some of its rock dates back an incredible 1.1 billion years. These ancient formations were already old when dinosaurs first appeared on Earth.

What makes the geology here so unique is the metamorphic rock that has been twisted, folded, and pushed upward through millions of years of Earth’s tectonic movements.

Highest Wind Speed Records on Earth

The storms on Grandfather Mountain can get pretty intense. According to reports, the mountain has experienced surface wind speeds over 200 mph (320 km/h), ranking among the highest measurements ever recorded.

These powerful gusts have shaped the trees near the summit in a distinctive way, with branches growing only on the protected side.

It Beats the Great Smoky Mountains

With 42 rare and endangered species, it actually outranks the entire Great Smoky Mountains National Park, housing the endangered Virginia big-eared bat, the Black bear, and the elusive flying squirrel.

Around eleven of these species are considered globally imperiled, meaning they exist in fewer than 20 places worldwide. The mountain provides a crucial sanctuary for threatened plants including Gray’s lily and spreading avens.

Home to the World’s Smallest Tarantula

Ever heard of the North Carolina Funnelweb tarantula? This tiny spider calls Grandfather Mountain home, and you won’t find it in many other places.

The mountain is one of just 20 spots worldwide where this rare arachnid lives. Unlike their desert cousins, these little guys prefer the cool, damp spots in mountain crevices.

Salamander Paradise

The mountain supports up to 16 different salamander species, making it one of the top salamander hotspots in the entire Blue Ridge region.

Keep an eye out for the Pygmy salamander and the endemic Yonahlossee salamander with its striking red back and black sides, found nowhere else in the world.

Famous Explorers Sang on Its Summit

The views from Grandfather Mountain (Rough Ridge Outlook) have moved even the most experienced nature lovers to spontaneous celebration. John Muir, who founded the Sierra Club was so overwhelmed by the beauty that he started singing when he reached the top in 1898.

French botanist André Michaux thought he had climbed the highest mountain in North America when he made it to the summit in 1794. Even Daniel Boone explored the area back in the mid-1700s and used the mountain to help navigate during his westward journeys.

Lives Up to Its Name in Cherokee Legend

Before European settlers, Cherokee people had strong spiritual connections to this ancient peak, naming it “Tanawha,” which translates to “fabulous bird” or “eagle”.

When driving down the Blue Ridge Parkway, try looking at the mountain from certain spots. You can still make out the face that inspired the “Grandfather” name, with what looks like a forehead, nose, chin, and beard in its rocky outcroppings.

It Has Its Own Weather System

Because of how high it is, you might experience totally different conditions on the mountain than in the surrounding valleys.

You could start your day in warm sunshine at the base, pass through thick fog halfway up, and end with snow at the summit. This happens because the mountain forces air upward, creating its own microclimate.

The weather station a mile high on the mountain records over 100 inches of precipitation annually, much more than places just a few miles away receive.

America’s Highest Suspension Bridge

The crown jewel of Grandfather Mountain isn’t just any footbridge, it’s America’s highest suspension footbridge at exactly one mile above sea level.

Built in 1952 and renovated in 1999, this 228-foot span crosses an 80-foot chasm and gives you unmatched 360-degree panoramas. The bridge sways slightly in the breeze (hence the name), adding a touch of excitement to your crossing.

It’s accessible via elevator for those with mobility concerns, but the hike’s pretty scenic and it’s the perfect spot for that quintessential mountain photo.

The Grandfather Starred in ‘Forrest Gump’

That famous scene where Tom Hanks runs along a winding road in “Forrest Gump”?

The distinctive curvy stretch of road on Grandfather Mountain appeared in the 1994 movie and is now known to visitors as “Forrest Gump Curve.”

Film crews continue to be drawn to the mountain’s dramatic natural backdrop. You can see it when Forrest talks about his cross-country running journey.

The mountain has also been featured in other major films like “The Last of the Mohicans” and “The Hunt for Red October.”

Visiting Grandfather Mountain in 2025

Grandfather Mountain is in Northwestern North Carolina, south of Boone. GPS: 2050 Blowing Rock Hwy, Linville, NC 28646. Accessible via US Highway 221 and Blue Ridge Parkway at milepost 305.

Admission (2025):

• Adults: $24
• Seniors (60+): $22
• Children (4–12): $10
• Under 4: Free

It’s open daily year-round, usually from 8 or 9 a.m., with seasonal changes. The last admissions are two hours before closing; trails close one hour prior. Winter hours depend on the weather.