Linville, North Carolina

Linville, North Carolina, located in the mountains of western North Carolina, is the place to be if you are looking for some fun in the Great Outdoors. Located in Avery County, Linville is named after John and William Linville, who unfortunately met their fate at the hands of Indians in 1766. Today, Linville is rich in mountain heritage. Arts and crafts are as prominent as deep breaths of mountain air. Of course, the surrounding area, filled with natural wonders, provides outdoor lovers an endless playground of opportunities. You can spend your days hiking, horseback riding, white water rafting, fly fishing, swimming, boating, snow skiing, and just about anything else you can imagine!

One of the most popular attractions around Linville is Grandfather Mountain, located about two miles away. At 5,964 feet, Grandfather Mountain is the highest peak in the Blue Ridge Mountain chain. Visitors to the privately owned mountain eventually find their way to the Swinging Bridge, a 228-foot suspension bridge that spans an 80-foot chasm. Since 1952, the bridge has been giving spectacular views of the surrounding forests and mountains. Hikers have their choice of 11 trails that traverse the mountain, ranging in difficulty from easy strolls to strenuous treks. Kids of all ages will like the Nature Museum, which contains a series of natural history exhibits designed to educate the visitor about the mountain's surroundings.

Grandfather Mountain is located in Pisgah National Forest, a 495,000 acre playground for outdoor enthusiasts. Pisgah is named after the mountain from which Moses first saw the promised land. Hiking buffs will be giddy trying to choose which of the forest's 600 miles of trails to trek. Some of the more popular trails are on the Appalachian Trail, long known as hiking heaven. Mountain biking and horseback riding are also popular pastimes on the trails. Angling fans have plenty of places to toss in a line. Fly fishing is big business in the forest. Brown and rainbow trout are just a couple of the possible catches. Canoeing and kayaking buffs can practice their hobby in the French Broad River. Birding aficionados can view over 90 avian species. If forest fun is your way of relaxing, Pisgah has something to soothe every taste.

For the golfer in your group, the mountain courses around Linville are as beautiful as they are difficult. The Grandfather Course, designed by Ellis Maples, is consistently mentioned as one of the top courses in the state by Golf Digest. The undulating greens match the wavy terrain, creating tricky shots to mostly elevated greens. The Linville Golf Club, designed by legendary golf architect Donald Ross, has been mentioned by Golfweek Magazine as one of the top 100 courses in the country. The fairways have a prominent slope, the greens are small, and a creek ambles through fourteen of the course's holes.

Linville is perfectly positioned to enjoy year-round mountain fun. Ski bums flock to Sugar Mountain Resort, the largest skiing area in North Carolina. The resort has 20 trails that will please skiers and snowboarders of all abilities. Eight runs serve 115 acres of skiable terrain. Sugar has a staff of highly qualified instructors that will get you and your children off and skiing. Another alpine option is Ski Beech, which has the distinction of being the highest ski resort in eastern North America. Beech has 15 runs, serviced by 10 ski lifts that range from beginner slopes all the way to slopes that will please even the most experienced expert.