HIKING TRAILS

EXPLORE THE MOUNTAINS ON THE MUSIC CENTER'S HIKING TRAILS

While you’re here, get out and breathe in the mountain air on one of our trails. We offer two Music Center hiking trails: the High Meadow Trail (an easy trail, good for the whole family) and Fisher Peak Loop Trail (moderate difficulty). There are also trails nearby at Cumberland Knob, about 4 miles south of Blue Ridge Music Center on the Parkway at milepost 217.5.

High Meadow Trail

Distance: 1.35 miles one-way
Difficulty level: Easy

This Music Center hiking trail is certainly a leg-stretcher. Guiding you through a hayfield and a wetland, you will see an abundance of wildflowers and birds. It also winds through a forest with rock outcrops and a rich display of rhododendrons and ferns.

Two junctions for the Fisher Peak Loop join this trail. You may turn onto the loop trail, follow the High Meadow Trail to visit the Visitor Center, or return to the trailhead from these points.

The High Meadow Trail is part of the Kids in Parks network of TRACK Trails. These hiking, biking, paddling, and disc golf trails can be found across the country and are outfitted with free activity guides for children and families. The Music from the Blue Ridge activity guide at this trail describes the types of trees that can be found along the trail that were used to make traditional Appalachian instruments.

The mission behind these TRACK Trails goes beyond fun; the goals are to encourage kids to be physically active and help them build meaningful connections with nature. After each hike, children can register their adventure online to earn prizes. Learn more about Kids in Parks.

Fisher's Peak Loop Trail

Distance: 2.24 mile Loop
Difficulty level: Moderate

This moderate 2.24 mile trail begins at one of its junctions with the High Meadow Trail. It winds up the side of Fisher Peak through a variety of vegetation. This trail provides a lot of diversity for a shorter trail. At the lower elevation, the trail follows a stream through mixed pine and hardwoods.  Higher up, the blooms of azaleas, mountain laurel and Catawba rhododendron provide a spectacular display in May.

Nearby Hiking on the Blue Ridge Parkway

Cumberland Knob, milepost 217.5, is where Parkway construction began in 1935, and it was the first public attraction to open on the scenic route. Hikers can choose the easy half-mile Cumberland Knob Trail (suitable for children) or the challenging two-mile Gulley Creek Trail (800-foot elevation change). Allow two hours to complete the Gulley Creek Trail. Additional amenities include a Visitor Center and picnic sites. Learn more

Fox Hunters Paradise, milepost 218.6, is a valley overlook with picnic tables and a relaxing 0.2-mile trail to an observation deck.

Additional Parkway trail information and safety tips

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Blue Ridge Music Center

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Hours of Operation:

Closed for the season
Reopens May 2025
Concert series announced early March