In North Carolina, there’s a scenic forest hike that will take you to a beautiful view and a unique granite tunnel. The Tunnel Trail is located in Chimney Rock State Park, and while it’s not as well known as some North Carolina trails, it’s unlike any other and it’s well worth discovering. Lace up your hiking boots. Here’s what you need to know about the Tunnel Trail.

Chimney Rock State Park is located on the western side of North Carolina, about 25 miles southeast of Asheville. The sprawling and rugged state park spans more than 8,000 acres. The park’s most famous feature is a granite monolith called Chimney Rock.

AllTrails / Brandy Mauldin

We’ll save that attraction for another day. This hike is about reaching Tunnel Trail. To start the hike, park at the Eagle Rock Parking Area. There are limited spots available, so you might want to arrive early.

AllTrails / Nicholas Light

While the park is popular with mountain bikers, biking is not permitted on Tunnel Trail. Rock climbing is allowed, if you have a permit.

AllTrails / Jon Barada

You’ll follow Weed Patch Mountain Trail for a while into the forest. This is a great and a challenging trail, but it’s a long hike. If you did the whole out-and-back hike, you would cover 20 miles.

AllTrails / Gayle Snyder

You won’t have to hike that far to reach the Tunnel. The Tunnel Trail is a spur off of Weed Patch Mountain Trail that you’ll reach early in the hike. The hike is relatively short, but it does involve a bit of climbing. The hike is rated by the park as “moderate.” Some natural stairs will take you up to Eagle Rock. Use caution when the rocks are slippery.

AllTrails/Brandy Mauldin

The tunnel is created by a massive slab of granite at the base of Eagle Rock.

AllTrails / Jon Barada

The tunnel is short but it’s pretty amazing and a great place for a photo or two.

AllTrails / Jon Barada

The park has some other great natural attractions you may want to explore, including Chimney Rock, a 404-foot waterfall, and Devil’s Head Balancing Rock. North Carolina has a lot of other gorgeous hikes; here are five essential hikes everyone should do.

AllTrails / Brandy Mauldin

AllTrails / Nicholas Light

AllTrails / Jon Barada

AllTrails / Gayle Snyder

AllTrails/Brandy Mauldin

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Address: Chimney Rock State Park, 431 Main St, Chimney Rock, NC 28720, USA