Biking:
The bicyclist traveling solo or in a group can rest assured
that mountain Hearth Lodge can accommodate your needs.
Located just off the parkway itself, we are your perfect stop if
you are riding through or a quick and easy access if day riding fits
your schedule. North Carolina state DOT cycling trail (#4) passes
just yards from our driveway.
We offer special care for bicyclist because we understand how exhausting
another “little” trip into town for dinner can be. Stay
with us and we will prepare a hearty and delicious supper for you on
your arrival. Just let us know what services you will need during your
stay.
The Blue Ridge Parkway offers bicyclist the unparalleled beauty of
470 miles of picturesque scenic highway across the states of North
Carolina and Virginia. Elevations vary from 600 to 6000 feet, and the
road encompasses a variety of ever changing weather conditions, regardless
of the season.
The Parkway was designed as a scenic leisure highway for motorist,
and therefore bicyclist should be prepared significant distances between
developed areas and services that vary seasonally. We encourage you
to become familiar with Parkway resources, services and regulations
before beginning your cycling trip.
Parkway maps and additional information are available from:
Superintendent
Blue Ridge Parkway
199 Hemphill Knob Road
200 BB&T Building
Ashville, NC 28803
(828) 298-0398
Birding:
Mountain Hearth Lodge is located at the base of Bull Head
Mountain and is centrally located to many North Carolina birding
hotspots. The meadows and mountain forest surrounding the lodge offer
plenty of birding opportunities for the avid enthusiast as well.
We commonly see goldfinches and flycatchers along the stream banks,
herons, kingfishers and sandpipers at the ponds, bluebirds and swallows
in the fields, indigo buntings, cardinals and towhees in the forest,
and a variety of hawk’s overhead.
The lodge is located a short 5 minute drive from the Blue Ridge Parkway
Mahogany Rock overlook, a major hawk migration and count site. The
fall Raptor migration occurs from August to December with the peak
period being mid to late September.
Bull Head Mountain was recently purchased for conservation through
a cooperative effort by the Conservation Trust for North Carolina,
the Blue Ridge Rural Land Trust and the North Carolina Division of
State Parks, with support and a management commitment from the National
Audubon Society. The goal is to establish North Carolina’s premier
site for viewing the annual spectacle of migrating hawks, falcons,
eagles and vultures through the North Carolina Mountains.
Canoeing:
The headwaters of the New River begin in Ashe County and
form the world’s second oldest river to the Nile River in Alleghany
County. The New river flows north to West Virginia and offers the
canoeist scenic beauty at a leisurely pace.
We are minutes away from several outfitters and access points if your
on your own for the day.
Fishing:
Alleghany County is western North Carolina’s
best-kept fishing secret. Whether you are a fly fishing purist or a
rod and reel enthusiast, opportunities abound in the many mountain
streams and rivers. Mountain Hearth Lodge is centrally located in the
heart of trout country, from the elusive native brook trout to the
trophy size rainbow and brown trout. A short drive will give the angler
access to the Little River, the north or south forks of the New river
or the New River in all its majesty where fishing for small mouth bass
is at it’s finest.
The choice is yours. Take off on your own and discover the rewards
of mountain creek fishing or fish a true trophy stream where you are
the only angler on a particular stream section for the day. If big
water is your game, hire a guide or set off on your own canoe trip
down a section of the New River, the second oldest river in the world.
Guest of the lodge can hone their skills on site by casting on our
stocked pond or along the banks of as it meanders through the meadow.
Give us a call and we’ll help you with logistics, guides and
accommodations for the fishing trip of a lifetime.
Clear skies and tight lines!
Golf:
Playing the links can be an enjoyable experience in the mountains
and Alleghany County has many opportunities to please the amateur,
professional and everyone in between. We are within a few minutes
drive to some of the finest courses in the area.
Here is a listing of a few of the courses available in the area and
just minutes away from the lodge.
Hiking:
If hiking is your pleasure, Mountain Hearth Lodge is the
perfect retreat for starting and returning from your days
adventure. We’re open yearly and can help you plan your trips
for all seasons, from spring wildflower outings, summer family
gatherings, fall color walks and winter snow filled days.
From the lodge, one can immediately start out strolling along the
Blue Ridge Parkway or wander off down numerous country lanes. A quickly
ascending gravel road will take the enthusiast to the top off Bullhead
Mountain for spectacular vistas of Alleghany county.
A short 15minute drive will land the avid hiker in some off the most
spectacular natural areas of northwest North Carolina. From the 35
miles of ridge and valley trails of the Blue Ridge Parkway’s
Doughton Park to the spectacular spectacle of Stone Mountain State
Park, North Carolina’s largest state park.
In less than an hour, the adventurous can access to the Appalachian
Trail and Mount Rogers (highest point in Virginia) at Grayson Highlands
State Park, VA in the beautiful setting of the Jefferson National Forest.
If the river is your passion, there are three access points to the
New River Trail.
Horseback
Riding:
New to our area and minutes from the lodge is the new
location of Billingsway Farm. They provide several different
services such as trail rides, riding lessons, breaking and boarding,
and all day rides. Billingsway Farm specializes in therapeutic
riding for children with disabilities.
Labyrinth:
Using our soles to awaken our souls.
On the grounds of our lodge is a seven-circuit, “Classical” labyrinth
approximately fifty feet in diameter. The labyrinth is open twenty-four
hours a day for the use of our guest and retreatants for walking, meditation
and prayer.
Labyrinths have been in use for centuries as marked walking paths
to help center the mind and spirit. They differ from mazes in that
they are not designed with dead ends for the purpose of confusion,
yet are paths symbolizing the sure journey of the spirit, which is
always toward the center.
Music:
Mountain Hearth Lodge is centrally located to many of the
finest music venues and festivals the Blue Ridge has
to offer. The following is a list of many of the areas offerings
with travel times included.
30 minutes or less driving time:
Alleghany Jubilee – Main Street - Sparta, NC
Local bands on Friday and Saturday nights at 8:00pm.
Tuesday night: Hoedown
336-372-4591
Alleghany County Fiddlers Convention - Alleghany County Fairgrounds
Competitions, concerts, jams, vendors.
3rd weekend in July-Friday 5:pm & Saturday 10:00am
336-372-8809 (Trevor)
Backwoods Beat Music-32 Hwy 18S Sparta, NC
Instruments, lessons, jams, CD’s.
336-372-5777
Blue Ridge Music Center - Mile Post 213 Blue
Ridge Parkway
Saturday evenings, June through September, summer concert
series beginning at 7:00PM, rain or shine. Free to public
except as noted outdoor arena.
276-236-5309
www.blueridgemusiccenter.net
Old Fiddlers Convention – Galax, VA
70th annual, oldest and largest
August 8-13
www.oldfiddlersconvention.com
60 minutes or less driving time:
Blue Ridge Music Series – Ashe Civic Center, West Jefferson,
NC
Showcasing the finest in acoustic music the 2nd Friday of
each month with host band Alternate Roots.
Shows begin at 8:00pm-Doors open at 7:30pm. Admission $5.00
unless otherwise noted.
MerleFest – Wilkes Community College, Wilkesboro, NC
The largest family oriented festival in the southeast. Definitely
a must see for music lovers who appreciate great musicianship and
authenticity.
April 28, 2005 3:00pm – April 29,30 May 1, 2005 8:00am
www.merlefest.org
Wayne Henderson Finger Picking Guitar Competition – Grayson
Highlands State Park, VA
The finest guitar picking to be heard in these mountains.
Annually, 3rd weekend in June
Retreats:
Retreat, an act or process of withdrawing especially from
what is difficult, dangerous or disagreeable; a period of
group withdrawal for prayer, meditation and instruction under a director;
a place of safety and privacy;
Mountain Hearth Lodge can be that special place of solitude
for the self, happiness and laughter for family gatherings, spiritual
direction for church groups and growth opportunities for corporate
colleagues. Call us to assist you in designing the retreat for the
benefit of everyone involved.
Retreats for 2006:
June
July
August
September
October
November
December
Shopping:
If shopping is you game, then Sparta and the surrounding mountain region offer many venues to satisfy your quest. From the studios of regional crafts and art galleries, old time general stores, country hardware merchandisers, estate sales, auctions, used books and unique consignments, your only minutes away during your stay at Mountain HearthLodge.
Weddings:
Imagine your wedding at The Mountain Hearth Lodge.
"Your Wedding" is a celebration to be remembered for a
lifetime. Mountain Hearth Lodge has the resources, the facilities and
the setting to help make this the most memorable day in your life.
From grand affairs to intimate romantic settings for just the two of
you, rehearsal dinners to bridesmaid luncheons, indoors or out, we
tailor to fit any special request or any budget.
Many times wedding activities are planned in our immediate vicinity
of Roaring Gap, Sparta and Laurel Springs. The lodge’s five guest
rooms and three cabins are available for lodging for bridal families
and our wedding guest. The lodge facilities can house up to twenty
guests overnight. Breakfast is included with lodging and there are
several common sitting areas, in addition to the dining room, providing
the setting to allow visiting with friends and family throughout the
day and into the evening.
Please give us a call to arrange all of your reception and wedding
plans as we can assist you in coordinating your special wedding day,
reception or honeymoon.
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