Daniel Boone Scout Trail to Calloway Peak

Dogs: Although dogs are allowed on the trail, this trail contains ladders that dogs cannot climb. If your dog is not small enough to lift, it is not recommended to bring a pet on this route. You will need a permit to hike this trail. One of the Parkway's most rewarding hikes climbs 2,000 feet (one way) in 3.5 miles from the Boone Fork lot at Mile 299.5 Grandfather Mountain, the most iconic peak on the Blue Ridge Parkway between Asheville, N.C., and the Virginia state line, practically dares hikers check out to its highest crags. Because the peak is so prominent on the Parkway, it's only natural to answer Grandfather's challenge from one of the road's turnouts. Best time to go: The autumn colors of late early October will be spectacular, but the weekend crowds may dim the glow (weekdays should be far less crowded). The rhododendron bloom of early June is another great time to go. Early winter, before the first blizzards, and early spring, after the snow's melted, offer the best views of the nearby Blue Ridge Mountains. Winter is the least-advisable time to attempt this hike: the Parkway is typically closed and deep snow can totally obscure the trail. Access to the Daniel Boone Scout Trail will depend upon Blue Ridge Parkway closures. Visitors should consult the NPS real-time map of Blue-Ridge Parkway closures before heading to that side of the park.