Peanut Butter Fingers

Living a Life Fueled by Healthy Food and Fitness

Navigation
  • Home
  • About
    • Contact
    • Who’s Who
    • All About NASM
    • Disclaimer
    • Wedding
  • Recipe Index
  • Workouts
  • Pregnancy
    • Pregnancy + Baby #2
    • Pregnancy + Baby #3
    • Miscarriages
  • Baby
  • Shop + Favs
    • My Amazon Shop
    • Codes + Discounts
    • Books
    • Blogging
  • Travel
    • Orlando & Florida
    • Blog Travel

Hiking Stone Mountain

July 21, 2014 by Julie 63 Comments

Yesterday Ryan and I drove a little more than an hour to Stone Mountain State Park in Roaring Gap, North Carolina. We’ve been seriously loving the weather in North Carolina lately and living within driving distance of some incredible trails means lots of summertime hiking for us! I can’t imagine how gorgeous some of these hikes will be in the fall when the leaves begin to change.

Ryan found Stone Mountain State Park after doing a little research online. We decided to drive out to the park when we read that there was a loop that included views of a 200-foot waterfall.

Waterfall Stone Mountain

The weather on Sunday was quite dreary, but the rain held off and the clouds kept some of the summertime heat at bay. It was great hiking weather and we saw lots of people and their dogs out and about on the trails.

We opted for the Stone Mountain Loop which took us on a 4.5 mile hike that included some serious inclines.

The hike started off quite easy with downhill or flat walking. Within five minutes we came upon the beautiful waterfall and stopped to take some photos.

Stone Mountain Waterfall

The rushing water seemed to make Sadie a little nervous and she couldn’t decide whether she wanted to play in the water or sprint far, far away from it.

Stone Mountain Hiking

What a goof.

At the base of the trail we were able to check out an awesome view of Stone Mountain, the 600-foot granite dome we’d soon be climbing!

Stone Mountain

The trails on the Stone Mountain Loop were incredibly well maintained and for the first half of the hike, we thought the “strenuous” rating of the trail may have been a little overkill.

And then we started to hit the incline. PHEW. It was tough! (For anyone interested in this hike, we parked at the Upper Trailhead Lot and veered left at the trail to hike clockwise around the loop.)

At first we were cursing ourselves for hiking the loop in the direction we did, but by the end of our hike we were really happy we tackled the trail in a clockwise direction. Had we gone the other way, the incline would not have been as steep, but we would’ve had little previews of the view from the top. By hiking the way we did, we were pretty isolated from the views until we reached the summit and then we were absolutely blown away. It was worth the wait!

View from the summit of Stone Mountain

Stone Mountain Hike

Hiking with Ryan and Sadie is my “happy place” and when it comes along with views like this, I am in heaven.

Summit of Stone Mountain

Stone Mountain Elevation

And yes, Ryan totally gave Sadie a high five at the summit for making it to the top of the mountain! She wasn’t the least bit fazed  by the hike. That dog’s energy is on another level of amazing.

We copied some of the other hikers and took a little break at the summit to enjoy the views, relax and cool down a bit. We got pretty sweaty on our journey to the top!

hiking vizsla

As we made our way back down the mountain, Ryan and I agreed that we’ll have to make a few trips to the mountains this fall. It feels like such a treat to live within driving distance of some seriously incredible hiking!

Questions of the Afternoon

  • Do you enjoy hiking? Where is your favorite place to hike?

I think some of the most stunning hiking I’ve ever done was in Maggie Valley, North Carolina. Ryan and I went on a hiking trip with another couple a few years ago and that trip is actually what made us want to move to North Carolina one day!

Be sure to follow PBFingers on Instagram and Facebook!

I'd love to connect with you! I am always so grateful when you let me know you tried one of my recipes or workouts and tag me in your photos or updates. Thank you so much!!!

Filed Under: Hiking Tagged With: Charlotte, hiking, Stone Mountain

About Julie

My name is Julie and I am a full-time blogger, new mama, fitness enthusiast (certified personal trainer and group exercise instructor) and food fanatic (mostly healthy... but also not-so-healthy) living in North Carolina with my husband, dog and baby boy. Thank you for visiting Peanut Butter Fingers! I hope you enjoy little glimpses into my life and have fun trying the sweaty workouts I frequently share and making some of my favorite recipes along the way!

« Charlotte Date Night: Copper + Amelie’s French Bakery
Blue Apron Giveaway »

Comments

  1. aladygoeswest says

    July 21, 2014 at 4:06 pm

    I love to go on hikes with my husband. Our favorite hikes are in Marin County, which looks back on the San Francisco Bay Area and the Golden Gate Bridge. I went to Stone Mountain as a family vacation when I was younger! So gorgeous! There’s nothing better than getting some exercise and enjoying great views with your man and your dog!

    Reply
  2. Natalie @ Never Serious Blog says

    July 21, 2014 at 4:08 pm

    I gasped when I saw your instagram yesterday, everything is just SO green and gorgeous! How are the temps right now in North Carolina?

    I’m not much of a hiker (because Texas is super flat and it wouldn’t be a hike as much as it would be a walk, haha!) but I’m visiting my best friend in Oregon this fall and have LOTS of hiking through gorgeous scenery planned!

    Reply
    • Julie says

      July 21, 2014 at 10:31 pm

      They’ve been in the 70s! Amazing!

      Reply
  3. Ashley @ My Food N Fitness Diaries says

    July 21, 2014 at 4:08 pm

    Wow – so beautiful! Cody and I LOVE hiking. In fact, that’s one of the things I miss the most about living in Utah … the hundreds and hundreds of gorgeous hiking trails. I am looking forward to the weather cooling off a bit in the coming months so we can take advantage of some of the hiking out here in Arizona … nothing like Utah’s hiking, but it’ll have to suffice!

    Reply
  4. Katie says

    July 21, 2014 at 4:09 pm

    This totally reminds me of Last of the Mohicans! I think parts of it were filmed there. So beautiful!

    Reply
    • danielle Spears says

      July 23, 2014 at 4:18 pm

      That was the first thing I thought of when I saw your pictures. Last of the Mochicans. So beautiful.

      Reply
  5. chelseabydesign says

    July 21, 2014 at 4:09 pm

    I love hiking! I live in upstate SC and we are close proximity to so many trails, I love it! We usually go with another couple and they have a husky who never seems to tire either!

    Reply
  6. Jan Klein says

    July 21, 2014 at 4:09 pm

    Beautiful! Would you tell me what shoe you’re wearing? I’m in the market for some new ones.

    Reply
    • Julie says

      July 21, 2014 at 10:31 pm

      New Balance 1400s!

      Reply
  7. Polly - TastyFoodProject.com says

    July 21, 2014 at 4:15 pm

    What a beautiful hike! Love your pictures! We have so many hiking trails in the northwest but I don’t take advantage of them enough. My favorite place to hike was when I was in Maui. There are so many amazing views there!

    Reply
  8. Mary says

    July 21, 2014 at 4:19 pm

    From your instagram photos I thought you were in Stone Mountain, GA. It looks almost exactly the same! haha

    Reply
    • housegirlhaley says

      July 22, 2014 at 9:35 pm

      I thought so too from the title! I never would have guessed there was another one.

      Reply
  9. Ashley says

    July 21, 2014 at 4:21 pm

    This looks so fun! I want to go hiking some time– I’m going to tell my bf that we need to hunt for some good trails in upstate NY!

    Reply
  10. Leah (goodnight cheese) says

    July 21, 2014 at 4:30 pm

    Ah, those views! Nothing like earning it and then enjoying it.

    Reply
  11. michaela smith says

    July 21, 2014 at 4:31 pm

    Wow what a beautiful place! You are so lucky to live in a place like that. Sadie is adorable x

    Reply
  12. livitant says

    July 21, 2014 at 4:38 pm

    I love hiking and am so glad I love in SC where the mountains are plentiful! I love Rainbow Falls, because (obviously) theres an awesome waterfall at the end of the grueling hike!

    Reply
  13. Brittany says

    July 21, 2014 at 4:38 pm

    Hiking in Mohican State Forest was amazing. The trails range from easy to difficult and we had a blast hiking alongside the river, past some beautiful waterfalls and finally reaching the dam. Being outside and enjoying all that there is to offer is so rewarding and fun too!!

    North Carolina looks beautiful and it’s where we would like to end up someday too!

    Reply
  14. cleaneatingveggiegirl says

    July 21, 2014 at 4:40 pm

    Sadie cracks me up!! Sometimes the biggest dogs are the biggest babies. I have one of my own 😉

    Reply
  15. Amy says

    July 21, 2014 at 5:06 pm

    When I first saw this post I thought it was the Stone Mtn. in Atlanta, GA and I got really excited. I’m from ATL but currently living in CT and am missing home a bit. If you ever make a trip to Atlanta our Stone Mountain there is hike-able as well but it is really known for it’s laser light show, pretty awesome! Glad you had a great weekend.

    Reply
  16. Kaella (KaellaOnTheRun) says

    July 21, 2014 at 5:23 pm

    I LOVE hiking but need to do it more often! The mountains are so close so I need to make it more of a priority! Your hike looked incredible! 🙂

    Reply
  17. Erin @ Girl Gone Veggie says

    July 21, 2014 at 5:27 pm

    What a beautiful hike! I love Sadie’s personality! She must always keep you on your toes! 😀

    Reply
    • Julie says

      July 21, 2014 at 10:29 pm

      Haha she definitely does!

      Reply
  18. Fiona @ Get Fit Fiona says

    July 21, 2014 at 5:33 pm

    I love hiking too. Being so close to the rocky mountains, there’s tons of hikes close by. I don’t think I could pick just one that’s my favorite though.

    Reply
  19. Sarah @ Sweet Miles says

    July 21, 2014 at 5:36 pm

    Quite a bit different than Florida, huh?! Hiking is the best! There is also a Stone Mountain in Atlanta, I hadn’t heard of the one in NC before! You guys would love northwest Arkansas 🙂

    Reply
  20. Sarah says

    July 21, 2014 at 5:40 pm

    North Carolina is one of my favorite places – due much to the gorgeous scenery, beautiful weather, and awesome outdoor activities. Hiking Stone Mountain was something we did as a family when I was much younger. I loved it then but I’d love to do it again! I’m sure I didn’t appreciate it at all back then!

    If memory serves, I believe it’s a little further from you (in the Nantahala Forrest), but there’s a place called sliding rock that is SO fun to hike to and slide down. You should definitely look it up! Might make for a fun weekend hiking trip!

    Reply
  21. Kristin@Dietitian's Corner says

    July 21, 2014 at 5:55 pm

    Hiking is awesome! I recently hiked Mt Percival/Mt Morgan in NH with my family and it had amazing views. It had a couple of sketchy parts where I felt like I was rock-climbing with no safety but thew views were totally worth it!

    Hope you enjoyed your hike!

    Reply
  22. Kari says

    July 21, 2014 at 5:58 pm

    I like hiking, but don’t really get a chance to do it that often. Those views are awesome!

    Reply
  23. Kristen @ Glitter and Dust says

    July 21, 2014 at 6:02 pm

    Sadie looks like she is holding on to you for dear life. Haha. The rocks look so smooth there. Are there any places where you can actually slide down the water/rocks like a water slide? We have a couple areas like that here in Oregon and your pictures look similar. What a cool area to go hiking. My favorite trails are up near South Sister in the Cascade Mountains. Smith Rock is also beautiful.

    Reply
    • Julie says

      July 21, 2014 at 10:29 pm

      Unfortunately you aren’t allowed to slide. There were warning signs all over. :/

      Reply
  24. jonelle says

    July 21, 2014 at 6:08 pm

    Lake Lure, NC is one of my favorite places. Gorgeous views, in the mountains, good hiking. They filmed Dirty Dancing there.

    Reply
  25. Dale says

    July 21, 2014 at 6:36 pm

    I’m loving your Charlotte posts! My husband, two kids and I moved here three weeks ago. I’m taking note of all the great restaurants and parks we should check out! I would love it if you could mention if you ever come across parks with kid-friendly (i.e. short and easy) or even stroller-friendly (i.e. paved or flat) hiking trails. Thanks!

    Reply
    • Julie says

      July 21, 2014 at 7:24 pm

      I will definitely keep that in mind! We saw a lot of kids at this park but they were doing some of the shorter hikes. 🙂

      Reply
  26. Kim @ FITsique says

    July 21, 2014 at 6:42 pm

    I went to school in Boone, NC and we used to hike ALL the time. Some of the trail up Grandfather Mtn may be too hard for Sadie as you actually climb the mountain at points but its AWESOME!

    Reply
  27. Megan W. says

    July 21, 2014 at 6:43 pm

    I absolutely love hiking. There is something so gratifying about reaching a beautiful summit! I highly recommend any of the trails in Yosemite National Park in Northern California. None of the US National Parks have ever disappointed me!

    Reply
  28. Sarah says

    July 21, 2014 at 7:17 pm

    My favorite hike was Table Rock, South Carolina, partly because we turned back the first time due to stormy weather, and partly because it was a strenuous but beautiful hike.
    This summer we hiked in Santorini, Greece, and that was the most stunning hike I’ve ever done!
    You’re going to LOVE Fall hikes in the mountains!! Have fun!

    Reply
  29. afterdinnerdance says

    July 21, 2014 at 7:23 pm

    We’re moving to Winston-Salem, NC in just under two weeks – I’m so excited to check out all the national parks nearby! This is only an hour from us too!

    Reply
    • Julie says

      July 21, 2014 at 7:23 pm

      We want to visit there! I’ve heard great things!!

      Reply
  30. Stacie@SimplySouthernStacie says

    July 21, 2014 at 7:26 pm

    When I saw your picture on Instagram, I thought you were at Stone Mountain by Atlanta. I had no idea there were 2!

    Reply
  31. Linda @ Fit Fed and Happy says

    July 21, 2014 at 8:14 pm

    Did you run at any point during the hike? I would love to go hiking, but it’s too hot in the summer!

    Reply
    • Julie says

      July 21, 2014 at 10:28 pm

      No running!

      Reply
  32. Rachel says

    July 21, 2014 at 8:27 pm

    Stone Mountain is beautiful! I’ve followed your blog for awhile now and thought it was SO crazy seeing you move to nc and recognizing many of the places you frequent now! I live about an hour outside of Charlotte. Some other beautiful places not far from Charlotte boasting great hikes/views are Rough Ridge (an easy and popular hike outside of Boone), Table Rock and Linville Gorge, and my favorite you must do if you haven’t already is the profile trail right by grandfather mountain called Calloway’s peak – and the weather up there is generally about 10 degrees cooler than the piedmont region. Enjoy exploring NC

    Reply
    • Julie says

      July 21, 2014 at 10:27 pm

      Thank you for these recommendations!

      Reply
  33. Rachel @ Blonde with a Chanse says

    July 21, 2014 at 9:27 pm

    Wow this place is absolutely breathtaking! I love the picture with you and Sadie! She is such a ham 🙂

    Reply
  34. Sara says

    July 21, 2014 at 9:38 pm

    I love hiking but haven’t done it NEARLY enough! I need to get more of it in my life!

    Reply
  35. Kathryn @ Chicks Dig Running says

    July 21, 2014 at 9:47 pm

    Wow! I saw that and thought you were in Atlanta! We have our own Stone Mountain here that looks remarkably similar.

    I was lucky enough to hike in the Rockies this weekend (out of town for a friend’s wedding) and I remembered just how amazing a good mountain trail can be. So relaxing, and the air really does feel fresher up there!

    Reply
  36. Haley @Cupcakes and Sunshine says

    July 21, 2014 at 10:49 pm

    love your family photo! y’all are the most fun of pup parents! 🙂

    Reply
  37. Annette Perkins (@FitnessPerks) says

    July 21, 2014 at 10:55 pm

    Beautiful!

    Most gorgeous hiking for me is with my family in the Swiss Alps. I love it there!

    Reply
  38. Tara says

    July 22, 2014 at 12:51 am

    I am slowly starting to like hiking more and more (my boyfriend is very into it). One of my favorites is Breakneck Ridge in New York. The name pretty much sums up its difficulty, but the views are unbeatable!

    Reply
  39. Andrea says

    July 22, 2014 at 5:11 am

    I love hiking! I live in Zurich, Switzerland, so I have the gorgeous alps right outside my city… my favorite place to go is probably Flims-Laax, for hiking, biking and snowboarding in the winter as well…

    Reply
  40. Veronica says

    July 22, 2014 at 10:20 am

    I’m not a huge fan of hiking, but I do enjoy nature; with that being said, that waterfall was amazing. Glad you guys are enjoying your new home.

    Reply
  41. Ashley {The North Carolina Cowgirl} says

    July 22, 2014 at 10:26 am

    Haven’t been to Stone Mountain yet but hoping to go there to ride the horse trails soon!

    Reply
  42. Kayla says

    July 22, 2014 at 11:48 am

    You all need to go to Asheville, NC sometime and visit the Biltmore. Then, try Tupelo Honey Café, The Mustard Seed, and The Chocolate Café. 🙂 I LOVE Asheville!

    Reply
  43. april says

    July 22, 2014 at 12:44 pm

    i just love sadie! her energy seems contagious 🙂

    Reply
  44. janet says

    July 22, 2014 at 4:18 pm

    Sadie is such a ham … she makes me laugh out loud. And such a skinny girl!

    Reply
  45. makingthymeforhealth says

    July 22, 2014 at 4:35 pm

    What a beautiful hike! My husband and I are secretly dying to move to NC. Both of our families are in Florida but we still want to live somewhere that has seasonal changes and great hiking. NC seems like a perfect spot!

    We live in Northern California right now and the hiking here is pretty amazing. The best one had to be in South Lake Tahoe. If you guys ever get a chance to go to Tahoe, check out the Bayview trail. It’s absolutely stunning!

    Reply
  46. Katie Arnold (@talkless_saymor) says

    July 22, 2014 at 5:00 pm

    Oh my! SUCH gorgeous views!!

    Reply
  47. crazyabouthealthy says

    July 22, 2014 at 7:17 pm

    Beautiful! I love hiking with my friends on the weekends! I went to school in Nova Scotia (Canada), and there’s a beautiful hiking trail with breathtaking view at Cape Split.

    Reply
  48. Amy @ Run with Perseverance says

    July 22, 2014 at 8:16 pm

    I’ve hiked Stone Mountain in GA but not in NC! My aunt, uncle, and cousins that live in Huntersville love Grandfather Mountain that’s nearby. They talk about riding their bikes there a lot, but I’m sure there are some hiking trails you could check out!

    Reply
  49. Healthy Regards, Hayley says

    July 22, 2014 at 10:04 pm

    I love hiking! It is such a great way to disconnect, get out and explore, exercise without even knowing it! My favorite spots are in Malibu!

    Reply
  50. Brittany says

    July 23, 2014 at 12:09 pm

    That looks like a beautiful hike!

    Just wondering what type of shoe you recommend for things like Zumba. I have a hard time finding sneakers I love that aren’t crazy expensive!

    Reply
Newer Comments »

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Hi! I’m Julie and I am a mom to three energetic boys and a personal trainer and blogger living in Charlotte, North Carolina. Welcome to my blog! Peanut Butter Fingers follows my life and my interests in food, fitness, family, travel and (mostly) healthy living.
NEVER MISS A POST!
FacebookTwitterInstagramPinterestBloglovin
Follow

Search

Fashion Favorites

Beauty Favorites

Items I Swear By

Kid Favorites

Shop My Baby Essentials

Quick Links

  • Favorite Posts
  • Recipe Index
  • Workouts
  • Fashion
  • Pregnancy/Baby
  • Family

Recent Posts

  • Week of Weeknight Meals: June 2025
  • Things I’m Loving Friday #558
  • Recent Looks: #11
  • Week of Workouts: June 2025
  • Things I’m Loving Friday #557

Categories

Archives

Disclaimer

I am not a registered dietitian. My blog is simply a documentation of my life. The views I express are mine alone, based on my own experiences, and should not be taken as medical advice. I DO NOT post everything I eat. Though I am a certified personal trainer, the workouts I post may not be right for you. Please speak with a medical professional before making any changes to your current routine.

Affiliates

Please note that affiliate links may pop up on PBF from time to time. I greatly appreciate your support!
Privacy Policy

Copyright � 2013 Peanut Butter Fingers / Julie Fagan. All Rights Reserved.
Blog Designed by SWOON CREATIVE