Grandfather Mountain is a mountain, a non-profit attraction, and a North Carolina state park
near Linville, North Carolina. At 5,946 feet, it is the highest peak on the eastern escarpment of the Blue Ridge Mountains, one of the major chains of the Appalachian Mountains. The Blue Ridge Parkway passes by the south side of the mountain and also passes over the nearby Grandmother Gap. It is located at the meeting point of Avery, Caldwell, and Watauga counties.
Grandfather Mountain
Looking south from Linville Peak on Grandfather Mountain.
Mile-High Swinging Bridge
Two river otters seen swimming underwater in the wildlife exhibit at Grandfather Mountain State Park, North Carolina
The Appalachian Mountains, often called the Appalachians, are a mountain range in eastern to northeastern North America. The term "Appalachian" refers to several different regions associated with the mountain range, and its surrounding terrain. The general definition used is one followed by the United States Geological Survey and the Geological Survey of Canada to describe the respective countries' physiographic regions. The U.S. uses the term Appalachian Highlands and Canada uses the term Appalachian Uplands; the Appalachian Mountains are not synonymous with the Appalachian Plateau, which is one of the provinces of the Appalachian Highlands.
The Appalachian Mountains in the background with Penns Valley in Pennsylvania in the foreground in October 2021
Appalachian Mountains broken down by physiographic division, provinces, and sections
Appalachian Highlands physiographic provinces
Appalachian Uplands of Canada's 13 divisions