Fall is the most beautiful season for hiking in the High Country. Breathtaking views of oranges, reds, and yellows, crisp autumn air, and crunchy leaves makes fall the perfect time to hit the trail.

 

Though any trail in the High Country is spectacular during the fall season, these are a few that you can't miss:

Moses Cone Manor (6.2 mile loop from Bass Lake)

Whether the Moses Cone Manor is a spot you frequent or you’ve never seen this spectacular home, the Cone Manor is a must see in the fall season. With the manor house surrounded by trees, blanketed in recently fallen leaves, views of Bass Lake below, and Blue Ridge Mountain views beyond, the Moses Cone Manor boasts one of the best views during the fall season.

If you’re looking for a long hike, you can enjoy the Moses Cone Carriage Trails directly from the Chetola grounds and hike to Bass Lake, the Apple Barn, or up to the Moses Cone Manor. If you’re looking for a beautiful drive, you can take the Blue Ridge Parkway to Milepost 294 and enjoy the Cone Manor without a trek.

Tanawha Trail (13.5 miles total | you can do small sections along the Blue Ridge Parkway)

Running parallel to the Blue Ridge Parkway along Grandfather Mountain, the Tanawha Trail passes underneath the Linn Cove Viaduct, up boulders, through forests of beech and birch trees, over rivers, showing off panoramic views, and more. As the trail runs along 13 miles of the mountains, adventurers can experience unique environments and a trail unlike any other along the parkway, the Tanawha Trail is something you can enjoy sections of for years to come.

There are many ways to access the Tanawha Trail from the parkway. This lets hikers choose as long or as short of a section as they like.Visit www.nps.gov/blri/planyourvisit/tanawha-trail.htm to see a map of the trail and choose your section to explore.

Trout Lake Loop Trail (2.7 mile loop)

The Trout Lake Loop Trail is a relaxed, gradual walk around Trout Lake. Similar to Bass Lake but a little more secluded, visitors to Trout Lake can enjoy fishing, hiking, or running while enjoying the beautiful views. Besides these fun activities, explorers of Trout Lake can enjoy walking through forests filled with ancient conifers, thickets of rhododendron, a diversity of flora and fauna, and lakeside leaf views in the fall.

The Trout Lake Loop Trail is only a 7 min drive from Chetola Resort or if you’re feeling extra adventurous you can hike from Chetola to Bass Lake to the Manor House to Trout Lake which is about 7 miles round trip.

Cold Prong Pond Loop (0.5 mile loop)

What this hike lacks in panoramic views, it makes up for in low crowds, a relaxing walk, and unique flora and fauna. In the fall, the trees are covered in beautiful leaves and there are still a few flowers along the trail. The perfect spot for beginner hikers, those who need to stretch their legs, or those who love a good nature walk, Cold Prong Pond Loop is the perfect trail to step foot on.

If you continue along the trail, Cold Prong Pond Loop eventually meets up with the Tanawha Trail. So if you’re looking for a longer adventure, you can always enjoy that trail for a few miles as well.  

 

No matter what kind of fall hiking adventure you’re hoping to embark on during your next visit to Chetola, any or all of these hikes are the perfect escape to enjoy fall colors! We hope you’ll join us soon at Chetola for colorful fall days and beautiful trails!

 

*Always hike at your own risk.

**Leave what you find. Do not pick, rip, or trample flowers or other flora. Take only photos.

***Please remember when exploring these beautiful trails to leave the area better than you found it so that others can enjoy its natural beauty.

 

For more information on how to responsibly recreate on the trails and across North Carolina visit https://www.visitnc.com/outdoornc

 

 

Autumn in the mountains is simply unmatched. Between colorful leaves, crisp mountain air, pumpkin patches, apple picking, and cozy getaways to Chetola, we can't get enough of this season.

To make the most of the fall season, Chetola Resort has put together a Fall Bucket List to make sure guests can experience the best of fall in the High Country this season.

Savor Fall Fare at Timberlake’s Restaurant

Treat your taste buds to fall flavors at Timberlake’s Restaurant with our special fall menu! With fare like fried chicken livers, a winter garden salad, fried green tomato blt, ratatouille pasta, crispy duck breast, and more, you’ll be savoring fall at Timberlake’s all season long.

Chetola Resort Junior Ranger Program

Whether you have kiddos or you’re a kid at heart, the Chetola Junior Ranger Program will excite you to explore the best of Chetola Resort and the High Country in Fall (and every season)! Pick up a Junior Ranger Booklet in the Chetola Lodge lobby and complete all the activities to get your own Junior Ranger Badge!

Orvis Endorsed Fall Fly Fishing with Chetola

Fly Fishing is a magical experience no matter the season. But when you hit the rivers in the fall, with the colors in the leaves and on the fish, there’s no better time to be on the water.

Chetola Sporting Reserve 5-Stand

Enjoy Autumn at Chetola Sporting Reserve

With clay shooting, archery, a pistol & rifle range, and an adventurous drive with breathtaking fall views, your fall visit to Chetola Resort wouldn’t be complete without spending some time at Chetola Sporting Reserve. 

Visit a local Pumpkin Patch

Is the fall season truly complete without a visit to a pumpkin patch? Big, small, orange, colorful pumpkins of all shapes, sizes, and colors galore, the local pumpkin patches around the High Country have a pumpkin for everyone. Learn more about our favorite local pumpkin patches by visiting our blog here.

Pick your own apples at a local apple orchard

There’s something extra magical about wandering through an apple orchard on a crisp, fall day and plucking the apples from the tree. In the High Country, we’re lucky to have many apple picking spots to choose from within an hour of Chetola Resort. Learn more about our favorite local apple farms by visiting our blog here.

 

P.S. If you’re staying at one of Chetola Resort’s Premiere Condominiums, you can use your kitchen to bake fall goodies with your fresh picked apples. 

Photo Courtesy of Grandfather Mountain


Experience Autumn at Grandfather Mountain

Enjoy activities like native wildlife exhibits, the newly renovated Wilson Nature Center, spectacular fall views, hiking trails, and the famous Mile High Swinging Bridge.

Enjoy Fall Views along the Blue Ridge Parkway

The Blue Ridge Parkway is a spectacular drive in any season, but fall is when this scenic drive really shows its colors. Some of our favorite fall views include: Raven Rock Overlook, Thunderhill Overlook, and the Linn Cove Viaduct!

Please practice Leave No Trace Principles when exploring outdoor spaces!

Navigate a Corn Maze

Pumpkin patches, apple orchards, AND corn mazes - the High Country has it all. Most corn mazes in the area are connected with pumpkin patches so you can enjoy two of your favorite fall activities in one visit. Our go-to corn mazes include: Harvest Farm Corn Maze, New River Corn Maze, Ashe County Corn Maze, and the Alpha & Omega Corn Maze.

Photo Courtesy of Tweetsie Railroad


Ride the Tweetsie Railroad Ghost Train

One of the most popular events of the season, the Tweetsie Railroad Ghost Train transforms Tweetsie from the Wild West into a haunted park with Halloween thrills. Advance tickets are highly recommended.

In addition to the Ghost Train, around the park are trick-or-treat stations, themed photo opportunities, a Palace Spooktacular Show, a Haunted House, the murky Freaky Forest, and brave guests can enjoy the Creepy Carnival.

Photo Courtesy of Woolly Worm Festival


Play at a High Country Fall Festival

There’s a lot to love about fall in the High Country, but one of the best things is the unique fall festivals in the area. Between Autumn Art in the Park, OktoberFest at Sugar Mountain, the Woolly Worm Festival, and the Valle Country Fair, you’ll be immersed in fall all October long in the High Country.

Support Local Shops, Artisans, & Farmers Markets

Autumn coziness and fall goods abound in the local shops and farmers markets around Chetola Resort. With Downtown Blowing Rock, Tanger Outlets, and Downtown Boone only a short drive away there are endless options for fall goods to commemorate your visit.

Don’t want to leave the Chetola Grounds to shop? Visit The Wading Room at Chetola Resort for local fall treats and all your fly fishing gear needs.

Photo Courtesy of The Blowing Rock


Fall in the love with panoramic views at The Blowing Rock

Enjoy stunning, panoramic autumn views at North Carolina’s Oldest Travel Attraction, The Blowing Rock. Besides savoring various beautiful views, enjoy nature trails, a picnic, the gardens, Blowing Rock photo gallery, and more.

 

No matter what fun fall activities you’re hoping to cross off your High Country Fall Bucket List this year, Chetola Resort is your perfect autumn adventure basecamp!

P.S. The best spot to enjoy a cozy fall meal is Timberlake’s Restaurant at Chetola Resort.