The Boone Fork Trail.

Where is Boone Fork Trail? 

The Boone Fork Trail is a five mile loop trail that is located in the Julian Price Memorial Park 

on the Blue Ridge Parkway near Blowing Rock, NC. 

The BFT also overlaps briefly with the North Carolina Mountain to Sea trail, as well as trails that lead to the foot of Grandfather Mountain, and Linn Cove. 

The "best" place to start the BFT is at the picnic area at Julian Price park, (NOT THE LAKE!) as I would learn upon my first trip to hike the loop. In reference to driving south from Blowing Rock, the picnic area where the trail begins is located on the right side of the road just before driving over the Price Lake dam.

If driving North from Linville this picnic area is on the left side of the road immediately after passing price lake. If unsure if driving north or south, perhaps hiking isn't the outdoor sport for you. Have you considered jogging? 

What is the Trail like?

The Boone Fork Trail is a very dynamic trail that traverses wide mountain meadows, deep woods, passed massive shelter rocks, over small creeks, and rushing waterfalls.

If you only have time to hike one trail in the WNC High Country let it be this one. The BFT is like a great sampling platter of the various terrain that can be found in Western NC. 

Please be aware that this trail among many others in this area have been HEAVILY affected by Hurricane Hellene. Use caution when enjoying any outdoor activity in Western NC!

That being said, this trail is NOT one that can be done in tennis shoes or flip flops unless you really don't enjoy having feet. This trail begins in a way that is very deceiving with a gentle gravel path that lulls the hiker into a false sense of ease. 

These fantasies of an easy in and out hike will quickly fade as you progress. The trail is exceedingly steep in some places, you will be walking thorough creeks so be prepared to get wet. The full five miles took me almost four hours to complete. Although to be fair I spent some time dillydallying at the various water features because I am a full blown water bug. 

This is not a leisurely "after work" hike, make sure you have a decent chunk of time carved out of your day, and be sure to eat a good meal beforehand. If you are wanting to get straight to the waterfalls once you park your car in the lot simply turn right at the start of the loop. This will be the faster route to Hebron Falls as well as the other smaller falls below it. 

  What do I need to bring?

1) If you are planning to hike the BFT be sure that you have PLENTY of water. Dehydration is no joke and a simple small water bottle is not enough to sustain your body on this hike. 

2) Be sure to wear comfortable and sturdy hiking boots. I highly recommend wearing something with plenty of ankle support and insoles if you have them. 

3) Bring a snack, you will be using a lot of energy on this hike especially on the up hill climb from the falls. Be sure to pack yourself a small but dense snack such as a cliff bar.  

4) Wear light breathable clothing, you won't be looking cute for those Instagram selfies by the time you get to the 3rd milepost. Who you trying to impress, the deers? the bears? 

5) Be sure to let someone know where you are going to be and how long you expect to be gone because you will not have cell service for the whole hike. 

You will want to bring a camera or a phone with plenty of battery and camera space. Because this trail is absolutely beautiful!