After visiting Cone Manor, we followed the ranger’s suggestion and hiked up Flat Top Mountain Trail. AllTrails shows the trail as 4.8 miles, our hike was slightly more. The elevation gain is about 600ft. The trail is absolutely beautiful starting out with scenic rolling hills, followed by wildflower sprinkled meadows, and culminating with picturesque mountain views. I enjoyed observing Monarch and Swallowtail butterflies land on one flower then another. We climbed up the fire tower and marveled at the 360-degree views. This was likely one of the most beautiful trails I have hiked. On the way back we stopped at the cemetery where Mr. and Mrs. Cone are resting surrounded by pine trees under a cloudy blue sky.

References AllTrails Trail

North Carolina Hiking and Attraction Map

You might enjoy these posts nearby:

• Newati Trail, NC
• Tanawha Trail – Viaduct to Stacked Rock, NC
• The Linn Cove Viaduct and Tanawha Trail
• Rough Ridge along the Tanawha Trail
• Hawksbill Mountain
• Grandfather Mountain State Park
• The Cone Manor
• Flat Top Mountain Trail
• Wilson Creek, Philips Branch Falls, Harper Creek Falls
• Upper Creek Falls
• Jane Bald via Apalachian Trail
• Jones Falls, Elk Falls