At Blue Ridge Realty we offer NC Blue Ridge Real Estate and Cabin Rentals nestled deep in the Pisgah National Forest. Bordered by the pristine, Linville Gorge Wilderness Area, our mountainous region offers some of the most beautiful properties for sale in the entire region. Here you’ll find spectacular mountain views, friendly people, charming communities, and a phenomenal mountain lifestyle. We invite you to browse our listings of Western NC Real Estate in Linville, Linville Falls NC, Marion, Little Switzerland, and Lake James. You’ll find great Houses for Sale in McDowell County If you are looking for a great NC Mountain Vacation Homes, then look no further, our cozy NC Blue Ridge Mountain Cabin Rentals offer the finest in mountain lodging.

Here residents and visitors alike can relax and enjoy some phenomenal NC Hiking Trails, great North Carolina Mountain Biking, and find some great North Carolina Mountain Horseback Riding spots that lead to gorgeous NC Mountain Waterfalls. On this page we’ve included some of the very best places to enjoy these activities.

Hiking Trails
Spend the day exploring the unspoiled North Carolina Mountain Wilderness. Going NC Hiking is one of the best ways to see parts of the mountains that you ordinarily would not have access to. Try out some of these great area trails.

The Bald Mountain Trail
The Bald Mountain Trial is a great NC Mountain Hiking Trail located near Lake James in McDowell County North Carolina. Offering spectacular scenery, and plenty of chances to see the native wildlife, this special place in the NC Blue Ridge Mountains is a wonderful place to go hiking.

Kitsuma Peak NC Hiking Trail
Located 3,195 feet above sea level, the Kitsuma Peak Trail is a short, 20 minute moderate hiking trail that leads to some excellent views at the Ridgecrest Overlook. Take I-40 west to the Ridgecrest Exit and turn onto Old US 70, the trail is located near the parking lot and is approximately 1 mile.

Little Buck Creek Trail
Offering some stunning views of Marion, the Black Mountains, and Lake Tahoma, the Little Buck Creek Trail is a 5.8 mile moderate to strenuous North Carolina Mountain Hiking Trail that crosses over the headwaters of the lake. Take US 70 west from Marion and turn right onto NC 80, and follow past Lake Tahoma. After you cross the bridge, take the left at the first intersection and travel 1.5 miles until you come to the trail head.

Young’s Ridge Trail
Begin at the Old Fort Picnic Area and the Young’s Ridge Trail will take you through 7 miles of beautiful National Forest land to some really great views of the surrounding mountain peaks. This NC Mountain Hiking Trail is one you simply must try!

North Carolina Mountain Biking

The Mountains to the Sea Trail
This renowned, scenic hiking and mountain biking road extends 700 miles from the Great Smokey Mountains to the Outer Banks. Two portions of the trail cross McDowell County and create some great spots to hike and mountain bike. The Craggy Pinnacle segment follows the Blue Ridge Parkway out of Asheville to Buck Creek Gap and NC 80 where it eventually goes on to Little Switzerland. This North Carolina Mountain Biking spot has a tough 30 mile climb where you virtually climb to 3,000 feet in altitude. Another portion, the Brown Mountain Lights segment, follows the parkway to Linville Falls in the northern region of McDowell County North Carolina and goes on to NC 181. This is an easier ride with gentle hills and moderate climbs.

Lake James Road
Known as NC 126, Lake James Road is a designated North Carolina bike route and popular with area cyclists. See scenic Lake James without having to hassle with motorists on this 150 mile road that travels the perimeter of the lake. Most of this North Carolina Mountain Biking Trail takes riders through the woods and offers only a few views of Lake James.

Old US 70
Old US 70 is gated in order to prevent motor vehicles from accessing this great stretch of North Carolina Mountain Biking road. Passing through National Forest lands and offering a great secluded environment, the North Carolina Mountain Biking Trails found here are truly exceptional. You can also take Old #10 which is a state maintained gravel road back to Old Fort for a nice loop.

Horseback Riding
Horseback Riding in NC is one of the region’s most popular outdoor activities and a wonderful way to enjoy the beauty that the mountains offer. Horseback Riding is permitted in various areas of the Pisgah National Forest.

Curtis Creek Recreation Area
The Curtis Creek Recreational Area just off of US 70 near Old Fort offers some great places to enjoy North Carolina Horseback Riding. Following a beautiful mountain stream, this North Carolina Horseback Riding Trial takes riders through some secluded portions of the forest and over some shallow creek beds.

Yellow Mountain Road Near Altapass
This famous North Carolina Horseback Riding trail and spot is located just near the beautiful Orchard at Altapass located on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Here riders can enjoy private views; bring a romantic picnic lunch for a special time.

Kistler Memorial Highway
Located near the Linville Gorge Wilderness Area, this North Carolina Horseback Riding Trail offers spectacular views of Linville Mountain and the surrounding Blue Ridge Mountains. This is a great scenic route and a wonderful trail to ride.

Waterfalls
Hike or drive and walk down to one of these easy access trails to some of these beautiful NC Mountain Waterfalls.

Catawba Falls
These majestic NC Mountain Waterfalls are located right outside of Old Fort, near the eastern continental divide. Here the headwaters rush down over Ellison Ridge and creates some really nice falls.

Crabtree Falls
Crabtree Falls is a beautiful 60 foot NC Mountain Waterfall that cascades down a large wide and even rock. Located at Milepost 339.5 you can enjoy the hiking at Crabtree Meadows Recreation Area and walk the 2.5 mile loop to Crabtree Falls.

Hickory Branch Falls
Hickory Branch Falls is a large, 20 foot waterfall located near Curtis Creek Campground in Old Fort. You can access these gorgeous North Carolina Mountain Waterfalls by hiking the Hickory Branch Trail.

Linville Falls
Linville Falls is probably the most famous waterfall in all of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Located in the Linville Gorge, this stunning three tiered, cascading North Carolina Mountain Waterfall plunges down the side of a rock face and plunges into the Linville basin. Hike the many trails located around Linville Falls for numerous different views.

Tom’s Creek Falls
This small set of stunning North Carolina Mountain Waterfalls is located just 7 miles north of Marion NC, just off Huskins Branch Road. Secluded and away from it all these falls offer some spectacular mountain views.
 

If you have any questions or would like more information,please call us at 828.756.0020 and 828.460.0123, email us, or use our online request form.