Tougher than Grandfather?

Readers sent us their most challenging hikes.

By Kurt Rheinheimer

In our March/April issue’s “The Hike,” we asked readers for suggestions on hikes in the southern Appalachians that are more demanding than the ladder- and cable-laden Grandfather Trail up to Calloway Peak of Grandfather Mountain. Following are your responses, along with comments from editor in chief Kurt Rheinheimer, who solicited the suggestions after his hike of Grandfather:
• From Nick Whited of Virginia: “The Priest/Three Ridges is one of the toughest sections that I have been on anywhere… you climb 3,000 feet in 4.8 miles to the top of The Priest.”

KR: My wife Gail and I did both of those climbs (The Priest and Three Ridges mountains) from the low point at Tye River and agree that they are as tough as any in Virginia. The difference is that you’re still hiking, whereas on Grandfather you can establish no pace whatsoever as you climb rocks and ladders – a different experience altogether.

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