The Orchard at Altapass

Map of TRACK Trail at The Orchard at Altapass

The Orchard at Altapass TRACK Trail is located along a series of newly opened trails at the Historic Apple Orchard called the Eric L. Gressel Memorial Trails. The trails will lead visitors along groves of apple trees, through a cove of woods overlooking the Altapass (Eastern Continental Divide), near the historic Clinchfield Railroad Line and past the gravesite of the famous Charlie McKinney – a local legend.

The owners, Bill and Judy Carson, believe the trail network showcases all the “good stuff” the Orchard offers its visitors. In addition to the bluegrass music, apple picking, and hayrides, folks now can take a healthy hike, scamper, stroll, or jog throughout the property, and uncover its cultural, historical, and natural riches.

Track an adventure here
Collectible Sticker for The Orchard at Altapass

Location Details

Recreational Features: Picnic Tables, Interpretive Programs, Birding
Amenities: Restrooms, Visitor Center, Gift Shop
ADA Compliant: No
Seasonality: Open all year

Adventures for The Orchard at Altapass

Orchard Hide and Seek brochure
Hiking

Altapass Apple Orchard's Hide & Seek

Difficulty:
Moderate
Trail length:
1.00
Apples, Animals, and Appalachian History, oh my! In the “Orchard at Altapass Hide and Seek” brochure, discover the many things that make the Orchard such a special place.  
Hiking

Nature's Hide & Seek

Difficulty:
Moderate
Trail length:
1.00
The Nature's Hide & Seek brochure is designed so that kids of all ages can walk along the trail and discover common things that are often overlooked in nature. Some of them are hard to find, others are easy. Best of all, the adventure never ends because every time you walk the trail you will discover new things hiding in nature.
Hiking

Birds of the Blue Ridge Mountains

Difficulty:
Moderate
Trail length:
1.00
The Birds of the Blue Ridge Mountains brochure shows kids where to look for different birds along the trail. The brochure contains illustrations of some of the more common woodland birds and information on how to identify them through various clues. 
Hiking

Overmountain Victory Trail

Difficulty:
Moderate
Trail length:
1.00
The Overmountain Victory Trail adventure introduces children to the Overmountain Victory Trail and describes how the Overmountain Men used their wilderness and hunting skills to defeat the British Loyalists at Kings Mountain.
Hiking

Decomposers of the Dead

Difficulty:
Moderate
Trail length:
1.00
When plants and animals die, an important type of organism takes care of the mess. Scavengers and decomposers feed on dead things and return the energy to the ecosystem. Use this brochure to learn about the great and gross world of decomposers.
Hiking

Flower Power

Difficulty:
Moderate
Trail length:
1.00
Many flowers depend on relationships with pollinators to reproduce. Use the clues in this brochure to see how a flower’s size, shape, color and smell have the power to attract unique pollinators.
Hiking

Nature's Relationships

Difficulty:
Moderate
Trail length:
1.00
In the Nature's Relationships brochure you will discover how everything in nature is connected... even us. As you walk along the trail, the brochure will tell you a story about a few of the relationships that can be found. Many more relationships exist, so keep your eyes and heart open and you will discover many of nature's relationships - even yours.
Hiking

Fun With Fungi

Difficulty:
Moderate
Trail length:
1.00
Fungi can be found in many forms. Molds, mildew, yeast and mushrooms are all fungi. From under the water to on your toes, fungi grow almost everywhere. Use this brochure to identify some of the various fungi that call the forest home.

Directions

1025 Orchard Road
Spruce Pine, NC 28777
Latitude: 35.875540600000
Longitude: -82.024560100000

Directions

1025 Orchard Road, Spruce Pine NC 28777
Milepost 328.3 on The Blue Ridge Parkway

From the north: From Hwy 19-E, turn south on  NC 226 at Spruce Pine, NC and travel about 5 miles to the entrance to The Blue Ridge Parkway (across from the NC Minerals Museum).

From the south: Take exit 86 on I-40. Follow NC 226/US 221 past Marion and WalMart. In about 9 miles, turn left, following NC 226 as it separates from US 221. In another mile, NC 226 turns right and heads up the mountain.  At the top (road T's),  turn right, under the Parkway overpass and immediately follow signs up to The Blue Ridge Parkway. Then follow the directions below.

At the Mineral Museum: Take the Parkway NORTH (left).  Pass 2 scenic overlooks and then look for a small horizontal sign for Orchard Road (3 miles from the Spruce Pine Parkway entrance.) This entrance to Orchard Road leads you quickly to The Orchard and to the red packing house.
Click here for a map.

Partners

The TRACK Trail program is sponsored by the Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation, the Blue Ridge Parkway, and the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina Foundation.

The TRACK trails are made possible by a partnership between The Orchard at Altapass and Kids in Parks.