table rock trail

While the road to table rock is pretty ridiculous, 1st half unpaved, 2nd half paved, once you get there parking is pretty straight forward. While the park signs say it's only a mile to the top, it's a pretty strenuous mile. But you are rewarded with varying overlooks and shear cliffs to look up at along the way.I was a little underwhelmed when we finally got to the top as the view was not that great. UNTIL my friend said, "let's go on top". We hiked up a short distance and were actually on top of the mountain. And the views were fantastic. You could traverse the whole top of the mountain from one end to the other with a 360 degree view. Linville Gorge, Lake James, Wiseman's view you could see everything. I think I even saw Charlotte in the distance. Very worthwhile!

Whew....the Linville Gorge Wilderness area is a tough place & Table Rock Trail can definitely give you a feeling that you've done something great when you've completed it!

Planned a special trip with the kids, we arrived 30 minutes prior to sunrise with breakfast snacks and juice, coffee for dad in my backpack. Everyone had a good head lamp and a flashlight. After a hasty trip up the rock we took our seat at the table and watched as Lake James, Linville Gorge, Hawksbill and the Blue Ridge Mountains woke up. I've had the wonderful opportunity to eat in some very fine restaurants in the world, but none will ever compare to pop tarts and fruit at this table. We didn't want to leave, it's one of those times I am sure we will always remember. If your in the area turn off 181 at Gingercake and take the road up the hill. At the end of the road (regardless of the time of day) is a place called table rock you won't regret visiting..I promise!

Could not make it all the way to the top but got about three quarters of the way to a bench that overlooked the countyside and apparently was Virginia. View was spectacular. Fairly difficult hike but we saw families moving merrily along. Guess we are out of shape.

The hike is mildly strenuous, but well worth the effort. A must when the blueberries are ripe!

We went to Table Rock some years ago with our two sons, ages 7 and 8. One ran ahead on one of the trails and it ended at a cliff. Fortunately, I caught up with him before he fell off! It is beautiful but not a place for childen unless they are well supervised. Use caution.

I went on a day that I had a very bad stomach virus, and made the climb. It is a tight trail in places but the views are very beautiful. I try to go here whenever I go to visit my friends in Morgantan. The road I take is the long way up but it also is well worth the trip. On the way up you see the most pristien forest you will ever see. I love this place. While up there don't forget to go see the Wilson Gorge Wilderness area. There are many waterfalls in this area, and the gorge is beautiful also. You may even see a few people comming down the creek in Kayaks, I saw sixteen the last time I went there. Good luck and be carefull to stay on the correct trail, this wilderness area is very vast and can be very tricky at times, so once again stay on the correct trail.