
Beacon Heights is a short & sweet trail from the Blue Ridge Parkway near the Hwy 221/Grandfather Mountain entrance. Like Flat Rock, it’s a great trail for those without much experience. Park and cross the secondary road to get to the marked trailhead, and plunge into the woods. There’s a short connector trail from the parking lot to the intersection with the beginning of the Tanawha Trail. (Tanawha Trail meanders 13.5 miles from Beacon Heights to Price Park.) This is a great leg stretcher with gradual grades. It is an easy to moderate hike that slopes uphill. Like most trails, there are several roots and stones jutting out of the trail, but it’s easy to get around them. To get to the long-range views, go right at the first junction, which is well marked. When the trail splits again, bear left to stay on Beacon Heights trail. At the next…