The Roan Highlands
About 12 years ago, I saw an image of a tent on a grassy mountaintop at sunset and I knew I had to go wherever that was. It turns out it was in the Roan Highlands in North Carolina, and we have since been able to visit numerous times. We even camped out with the same view that I had fallen in love with years before. Although I am always thrilled to tell people about this place, I have to admit that I wish I was the only one that knew about it also. It is so tranquil and undisturbed. It is still set apart from the world and you feel like you are the only person on the planet. As an introvert and a nature lover, that makes the Roan Highlands an extraordinary destination!
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What are the Roan Highlands?
The Roan Highlands is a stretch of naturally bald (treeless) mountains that ride the border of North Carolina and Tennessee. It is, in fact, the longest stretch of bald mountains in the Appalachian Mountains. These summits follow the 2,200-mile Appalachian Trail and are considered the most beautiful stretch of the AT. Once you stand on the lush grassy mountain top overlooking the world below, you will understand why. Just try not to start singing “The Hills are Alive” from the Sound of Music haha. I mean, just look at that view…it is impossible not to become Julie Andrews, am I right?
The three summits along the trail that I will focus on are Round Bald, Jane Bald, and Grassy Ridge. Grassy Ridge is the highest of the three at about 6,100 ft, and makes a great place to spend the night! But more on that later!
How to Get to The Roan Highlands
Get ready for a little drive before you reach the trailhead. Located along TN-143 about 25 minutes from the town of Roan Mountain, you will find a small parking area for the trailhead of Carver’s Gap. You could take this trail up on one side of the road to Roan High Bluff, or towards the balds that I mentioned above. The balds are beautiful and can easily be a day hike with kids and dogs. Additionally, I think the balds have better views than High Bluff. You can find Carver’s Gap parking and trailhead on Google Maps, so it isn’t like a secretive unmarked trail like we have plenty of here in the Red River Gorge of Kentucky.
Park at Carver’s Gap, take some water, snacks, or light lunch if you want, and start up the mountain! Make sure to take a picture of the white painted marks along rocks and trees because these are the markings signifying the Appalachian Trail! From Carver’s Gap to the top of Grassy Ridge, you will cover 4.7 miles round trip. If this is too much, you can just take the 1.8-mile out-and-back hike to the first bald, Round Bald, for amazing views and be fulfilled.
Is the Hike Difficult?
The trails are clear and not very full of big rocks or too many roots that you could stumble over. In fact, the Round Bald and Jane Blad are mostly graveled. The path is always ascending uphill, but nothing too steep that will wipe you out if you are in moderate shape or better. These reasons make it a good hike with kids as well. Our 2-year-old (at the time) insisted on letting her walk the entire way (only to Round Bald and back) when we visited with her. We spent a looooonnnggg time up there with her because she was a month shy of being potty trained, and nature called when we reached the summit. She stared off into the beautiful expanse of earth and mountains below her and filled her diaper. She took a great nap after a clean diaper and that hike 😉
If you are looking for another family-friendly adventure, read about Big Bone Lick State Park
That said, I’d say it is moderate in difficulty if you hike all the way out to Grassy Ridge. There is a slightly steep and rocky patch of the trail going to that summit, but Round and Jane Bald are fairly easy. If you are backpacking with a full load of camping gear, just watch your footing to avoid ankle injuries, and I would recommend hiking poles.
Camping Out on the Balds
If you are outdoorsy and enjoy camping, then this should be on your bucket list! If you are unfamiliar with bear-proofing your camp, read up on that. We camped during the blueberry season (early-mid August) and there was bear poop everywhere, yet we didn’t see any bears. My husband laughs at me, but I always carry bear spray in bear country! I love bears too much to be eaten by one haha. You’ll likely see a few tents off the trail on Round and Jane Bald, but I recommend going to Grassy Ridge. We were the only ones up there camping at the time somehow.
Grassy Ridge is actually a branch off of the Appalachian Trail, and you will see the blue blaze and clear shoot off of the trail up to Grassy Ridge. It is an expansive Bald and you will feel on top of the world! The trail is both rockier and steeper so be careful. We found a little nook around some boulders and trees to make camp that sheltered us nicely from the strong breeze. My favorite thing was going out at night under the full moon. It was very clear and you could still see for miles in the distance despite it being night. I have never heard such silence before!
When to Visit
You could visit each season, at different times of the day, and enjoy something unique about each time. Keep in mind, that it will always be 10-20 degrees colder on top of the mountains than it is below at the town of Roan Mountain (your last pit stop before the ascent). It has always been quite breezy any time I’ve gone as well, so be prepared. I like visiting this for accurate weather on the mountain tops.
Fog is a common issue in the morning. Although it doesn’t affect an enjoyable hike, it will block your views. So if you only have one chance for a day hike, plan to be there around in the afternoon for some of your hike so the fog will have burned off.
If I had to suggest a time to go, I would say anywhere from June to September. Summer is later to appear up there, and winter will creep in sooner also. June shines with the rhododendron blooming all over the mountain and the temperatures are becoming mild. We camped out the first weekend of August when the blueberries were abundant and ripe. That’s a memory! There’s nothing like snacking on wild blueberries! I have yet to visit in the winter, but I hear the frosty hikes are gorgeous if you can brave the cold.
Where to Stay Near the Roan Highlands
Of course, you can find hotels in Johnson City, TN (roughly an hour from Carver’s Gap trailhead), but where’s the fun in that? This is one location that offers too many wonderful Airbnb homes to rent with great views and amenities. In our experience, renting a home has been way cheaper and more enjoyable. We like to stay in the country surrounding Johnson City, TN because we enjoy all there is to do in the area. Plus, being a college town, it has some good eats!
However, if it is in the heat of summer, check out towns high in the mountains of NC for places to stay. Towns like Banner Elk, for instance, have homes without AC because it is never hot enough to need it! just cool, fresh mountain air blowing through your windows. There is plenty to see and do on this side of the Roan Highlands as well! You can spend years returning to this area and never be tired or bored of it!
“The mountains are calling…”
John Muir’s quote speaks true to me when I remember or see pictures of the Roan Highlands. We always look forward to our next adventure on top of the world! I hope you can visit at least once in your life to this exceptional destination. If you do, leave a comment below!
