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Arrival in Charlotte, transfer to the hotel near one of the Blue Ridge Parkway entrance. On the way stop at the popular stop Blowing Rock.

The Blowing Rock is an immense cliff 4,000 feet above sea level, overhanging Johns River Gorge 3,000 feet below. The phenomenon is so-called because the rocky walls of the gorge form a flume through which the northwest wind sweeps with such force that it returns light objects cast over the void.

Evening free time to relax and explore the closeby area at your leisure.

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Today after breakfast you will be heading to Grandfather Mountain is a North Carolina state park near Linville, NC. At 5,946 feet, it is the highest peak on the eastern escarpment of the Blue Ridge Mountains, one of the major chains of the Appalachian Mountains. You will start the exploration with Mile High Swinging Bridge, America’s highest suspension footbridge, was built to give visitors easy access to the breathtaking view from Grandfather Mountain’s Linville Peak. The 228-foot suspension bridge spans an 80-foot chasm at more than one mile in elevation. 

Later continue the adventure with most popular hike MacRae Peak, it is one of 3 peaks on what’s known as Grandfather mountain. The route to MacRae goes in and out of wind dwarfed spruce and fir, across and around rock walls, and requires the use of cables and ladders to get to the peak.

After hike continues to make a photo stop at Linn Cove Viaduct is a 1,243 feet long, concrete segmental bridge which snakes around Grandfather Mountain. Before heading to the hotel, stop at the Linville Gorge to explore the area with a short hike and amazing waterfalls.

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Today after breakfast continue the road trip to Cherokee, NC while making multiple photo stop and popular hikes. You start with Mount Mitchell is the highest peak of the Appalachian Mountains and the highest peak in mainland eastern North America. Enjoy the 27-mile beautiful drive to Mount Mitchell, explore the area with a short hike Summit Trail is a 0.4 mile heavily trafficked out and back trail that features beautiful wildflowers and is good for all skill levels. 

Next stop at Craggy Gardens offers one of the most dramatic viewpoints on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Stunning vistas of the Blue Ridge Mountains stretch far into Tennessee to the west and toward central North Carolina to the east. 

A 1.4-mile round-trip hike to the top of the 5,892-ft. summit, Craggy Pinnacle. at Craggy Gardens. The exceptional panoramic 360-degree views are hard to beat in Western North Carolina’s the Blue Ridge Mountains

Next, while enjoying fall foliage, you will stop at the highest point on the Blue Ridge Parkway – Richland Balsam. And there’s a great highland hike that offers a cool hiking option on hot summer days. There are two overlooks for Richland Balsam, near Milepost 431.

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Today you will explore the Great Smoky Mountains by doing some great hikes, overviews and waterfalls. You will start your day with:

Charlies Bunion, enjoy breathtaking mountain views along the world-famous Appalachian Trail on this hike to a picturesque stone outcrop known as Charlies Bunion.

Hiking Distance: 4.0 miles one way to Charlies Bunion

Trail Conditions: Elevation change of 1,600 feet; this is a firm-packed trail that traverses some exposed cliffs.

Climb Clingmans Dome

A 1-mile roundtrip hike from the parking lot, Clingmans Dome is the highest point along the Appalachian Trail at 6,643 feet. It’s also the highest point in Tennessee.

Laurel falls

Laurel Branch and the 80-foot high Laurel Falls are named for mountain laurel, the roundtrip distance to the waterfall is 2.6 miles – out and back trail and the hike is considered moderate in difficulty. It takes about 2 hours to hike to the waterfall and back.

Evening free time in and around Gatlinburg, TN.

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It’s time to say goodbye to your fellow travelers and the guide as the tour ends today. Hoping that you have captured the best moments on camera and packed in a host of travel memories to carry back home with you.