Randy Johnson

The life and legacy of celebrated bluegrass musician Earl Scruggs gets a standing ovation in his native Shelby

North Carolina celebrates the Year of the Trail

WNC’s guide to camping out during nature’s starkest season

Elk Knob is a towering, meadow-topped peak more than a mile high and conveniently close to Boone

Grandfather Mountain touts newest enhancement to environmental education

Even in the depths of the cold season, these lower-elevation routes keep the wheels turning

High Country gallery shines in autumn group exhibition

Find great shopping, dining, and family-friendly skiing in the quaint village of Blowing Rock

A former instructor offers tips on learning to ski and snowboard

Daniel Boone Scout Trail

25 fall foliage adventures that are big on color and light on crowds

Distance: 4.2 miles round-trip - Difficulty: moderate

A visionary effort to create a statewide trail has been 40 years in the making. With the path now finished in Western North Carolina and a groundswell of support rising in the East, the completion of North Carolina’s most monumental natural treasure is on the horizon.

Asheville’s Shoji Spa & Lodge offers Japanese wellness without the frequent flyer miles

Adventure seekers, nature lovers, kids, adults, grandparents: We’ve got your ultimate guide to seasonal fun in the mountains

Distance: 7.6 miles round-trip; Difficulty: Strenuous

Great hiking routes in the town of Seven Devils

Distance: 2.5 miles round-trip, Difficulty: Easy to moderate

The winding route to Plumtree through far western Avery County on U.S. 19 East is the very definition of a road trip. It’s the kind of byway most people would take only if this out-of-the-way hamlet were the destination itself. But for fans of beer and scenic beauty, a thriving brewery and a cluster of outdoor options are enticing reasons to tour the North Toe River valley’s flower-filled fields.