Mountains

The Blue Ridge Mountains are among the oldest in the world.  These ancient mountains are the backbone of the Blue Ridge National Heritage Area, with soft peaks forming a sea of blue ridges extending like waves over the vast landscape. 

Though old and weathered, the Blue Ridge Mountains still boast the highest peaks in the Eastern United States, many over 6,000 feet in elevation.  The North Carolina mountains also include the massive Great Smokies and transverse ranges such as the Black Mountains, Great Craggies, Great Balsams and Nantahalas. 

This patchwork of mountain ranges has given rise to a stunning diversity of ecosystems, plants and wildlife.  The North Carolina mountains draw outdoor enthusiasts from around the world to hike, climb, rappel, botanize, bird-watch, ski or simply revel in the view from the top.

North Carolina Mountains sites honored as Natural Heritage Sites by the Governor's Year of the Mountains Commission include:

Bluff Mountain
Chimney Rock Park
Craggy Gardens
Devil's Courthouse
Doughton Park
Grandfather Mountain
Graveyard Fields
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Looking Glass Rock
Mount Hardy
Mount Jefferson State Park
Mount Mitchell State Park
Pilot Mountain State Park
Pink Beds
Richland Balsam
Roan Mountain
Rocky Bluff
South Mountains State Park
Stone Mountain State Park
Wayah Bald
Whiteside Mountain