The Phantom Hiker of Grandfather Mountain Still Walks

Western North Carolina is a beautiful place, full of panoramic views, history, and plenty of legends and lore. The fall of the year is one of the better times to visit, with the foliage changing and cooler temperatures affording us the perfect opportunity to venture outside for a hike and to visit local attractions like Grandfather Mountain, near Linville, approximately 13 miles southwest of Boone.

Grandfather Mountain.Photo byElijah MearsonUnsplash

The park is home to the Mile-High Swinging Bridge, plenty of wildlife, and, according to legend, a ghostly hiker roams the hiking trails in this area today.

The tale of the Phantom Hiker of Grandfather Mountain is a spooky and sad one. He is said to be an older man, bearded with a rugged appearance, dressed in old-fashioned workman’s clothes from around the Twentieth Century, with a rough canvas army backpack on his back and carrying a long walking stick, according to the ones who have witnessed the specter.

Many say The Phantom Hiker appears in the early evening hours, never saying a word and will never acknowledge people who are brave enough to introduce themselves. He walks along the trails, moving swiftly in front of people he encounters, and then vanishes into the thin mountain air.

Some believe his spirit is of a hiker who became lost in the thick woods around the mountain years ago and never made his way home. Others have said he was a man who loved the mountain so much that he decided to spend eternity in the North Carolina backcountry, where he can still be seen today.

Disclaimer: The Lantern does not profit from tourism or any other businesses mentioned in our articles.

Written By: John G. Clark Jr.

Photo By: Will on Upsplash

Source: https://northcarolinaghosts.com/mountains/phantom-hiker-grandfather-mountain/