Hike, bike, paddle or stroll and have the time of your life on more than 10 scenic trails in Lake Lure & the Blue Ridge Foothills. Home to Chimney Rock State Park and 27 miles of shoreline around Lake Lure, bring your gear and spend the day, weekend or season sampling a variety of trails designed for beginners, extreme outdoor enthusiasts, kids and even dogs. Learn more about these trails and other adventures at www.VisitBlueRidgeNC.com.
A Hiker’s Paradise
Climb Mother Nature’s “Ultimate Stair Master” by taking the 499 steps to the top of Chimney Rock at Chimney Rock State Park where a rewarding 75-mile panoramic view awaits you. Dogs are welcome, and the Park even has a Great Woodlands Adventure trail custom designed for kids. Across town, hike through Donald Ross Nature Trail Park offering three miles of looped natural surface trails of varying difficulty over rolling terrain. In Rutherfordton, try the Purple Martin Greenway and explore wildlife and waterways, or take the kids on the Main Street Safari featuring games, tree climbing, gold hunting and a search that goes through a Civil War cemetery.
Mountain Biking
Known as one of the best biking trails in western N.C., Buffalo Creek Park has the only mountain bike trail system within a 20-mile radius of Lake Lure. With 4.5 miles custom engineered for this sport, bring your own bike or rent one locally. In Rutherfordton and Spindale, try the Thermal Belt Rail Trail. This 7.8-mile biking trail was originally the railroad line that moved textiles in and out of the county. Both trails are also great for hiking/walking, running and dogs.
Paddle or Tube
The Broad River Paddle Trail is 42 miles of class I/II paddling and tubing adventures. With three access points, the river is broken into three sections allowing you to choose your endurance level or tackle the full stretch. Hire a professional kayak guide, rent tubes or bring your own gear.
Take a Stroll
If a leisurely stroll is more your speed, visit the Lake Lure Flowering Bridge. This iconic landmark is only the second of its kind in the country boasting more than 700 species of plants and flowers. Hop over to Rutherfordton to follow the Historic Downtown Walking Tour that takes you back in time while passing antebellum homes, shops and restaurants. Also part of the Historic Downtown Walking Tour is the Gold Mile, a one-mile loop that follows commemorative sidewalk coins in honor of Christopher Bechtler who minted America’s first one-dollar gold coin in Rutherfordton.
For the Dogs
Give your dog the ultimate outdoor adventure experience – book a stay with Four Paws Kingdom Campground. With campsites, RV spots and cabins, Four Paws Kingdom was the first dog-dedicated campground in the U.S. Treat man’s best friend to doggie hikes, play parks, pond, bathhouse, grooming station, agility courses and more.
