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TRAVEL
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Wonders never cease at
Grandfather Mountain
Call it a sense of altitude adjustment.
At more than a mile above sea level, Grandfather
Mountain, a Linville, N.C.-based nature preserve
and travel attraction, offers visitors — from outdoor
enthusiasts to casual leaf-lookers and all points
between — a unique vantage point to the natural world.
Surrounded by majestic, panoramic views of the
North Carolina High Country — best seen from the
mountain’s world-famous Mile High Swinging Bridge
— Grandfather Mountain is a nature lover’s paradise
in all seasons.
Guests are welcome to rough it on their own through
the mountain’s 12 miles of hiking trails or partake in
guided, ranger-led excursions, with options available
to fit any skill level.
Environmental wildlife habitats (enclosures built
around animals’ actual native environments) feature
black bears, mountain lions, river otters, bald eagles
and white-tailed deer, while a nature museum offers an
in-depth view of what makes Grandfather Mountain
unlike any other place on Earth.
Guests can picnic at one of the mountain’s 100-plus
sites or enjoy a fresh-cooked meal at Mildred’s Grill
— accompanied by a heaping helping of sustainably
produced, homemade fudge from the Fudge Shop.
With handicapped accessibility, even right up to the
swinging bridge, Grandfather Mountain allows visitors
to customize their own experience with nature — be
it a rugged, backcountry adventure or a leisurely drive
to the top.
“It’s about connecting folks with nature and
encouraging them to cultivate that connection,”
said Frank Ruggiero, director of marketing and
communications for the Grandfather Mountain
Stewardship Foundation, the nonprofit organization
that oversees and operates the park. “Our mission is
to inspire conservation of the natural world by helping
guests explore, understand and value the wonders of
Grandfather Mountain.”
Grandfather Mountain is open year-round, weather
permitting, with the exception of Christmas and
Thanksgiving. For more information or to plan a trip,
visit www.grandfather.com, or call (800) 468-7325.
114 Fall 2016 Adventure Outdoors