Craggy Gardens Trail
A short but popular hike through twisted trees to a rhododendron bald and a view of the town of Montreat and Black Mountain Range. The Craggy Gardens Trail leaves from a visitor center parking area right on the parkway or from a picnic area off a side road. In route, you hit a large trail shelter that seems a bit overwhelming for its location. Many wildflowers cover the Craggy Gardens Trail from spring through fall, and blueberries on the bald offer some grazing.
Summit Elevation: 5,680 feet
Hiking Distance: 0.5 miles
Elevation Gain: 140 feet
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Craggy Gardens Visitors Center and Craggy Pinnacle from the trailhead
Craggy Gardens Trail
Craggy Gardens Trail
Craggy Gardens Trail Shelter
Other trails in route are Douglas Falls and trail to Greybeard Overlook
View from the top of the Craggy Gardens Trail
View along the trail near end
Trail above the shelter has the views