New Rock-Climbing Destination Takes Shape in Chimney Rock
Chimney Rock is poised to become a hub for rock climbing enthusiasts with the development of a challenging new climbing area. This initiative brings positive change to a community that has been recovering from the severe impact of Hurricane Helene.
In a significant move, two nonprofit organizations—Access Fund and the Carolina Climbers Coalition—have successfully acquired over 16 acres of land near Chimney Rock State Park. This area, known as Lower Ghost Town, boasts towering cliffs that offer breathtaking views of Hickory Nut Gorge.
Mike Reardon, executive director of the Carolina Climbers Coalition, shared with BPR that this acquisition is the result of a 25-year-long endeavor to secure access to this land.
Courtesy of Carolina Climbers Coalition
Reardon expressed enthusiasm about the project’s timing, stating, “And now, with kind of some of the Hurricane Helene hits, we’re happy to purchase it and try to get people back onto the property and get hikers and climbers back out there and enjoying it.”
The Lower Ghost Town features over 50 distinct climbing routes, some with steep slopes and overhangs. Among the routes are The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly, known for their difficulty. While The Good and The Bad are established as challenging routes, The Ugly remains unconquered.
“The Ugly has not ‘gone free’ yet — that means that the climber has fallen each time they’ve tried to attempt it,” Reardon explained. “There’s protection for falls, so that’s not a falling injury. And so, they haven’t done it all in one successful go yet without falling. When that does happen, it’s called ‘redpointing’ the route, meaning that you’ve gone from the bottom to the top without any falls. Then that will more than likely be the most difficult climb in the state of North Carolina.”
While the lower cliffs are now accessible, the upper portion remains under Chimney Rock State Park’s control and is not yet open to the public.
Support from the Great Trails State Coalition has been instrumental in securing funding, with plans to create a trail linking the climbing area to downtown Chimney Rock. Completion of half the trail is anticipated by April 2026.
Once construction is complete, Reardon noted that access will be straightforward: Visitors “can park at the barbecue place and walk up from the trailhead.”
Courtesy of Carolina Climbers Coalition
The Lower Ghost Town initiative aligns with the Chimney Rock and Lake Lure area’s renewed emphasis on outdoor recreation as a key economic driver following the devastation of last year’s historic storm.
Reardon observed, “It was really heavily hit by Helene and heavily impacted. And having this just incredible, world-class climbing area but also incredible hiking area, trail, natural area accessible and free and open to the public, and right on Main Street … I think those types of economic impacts tying to conservation lands [are] just right in line with what a hopeful future for Chimney Rock Village and the greater Hickory Nut Gorge region could be.”
As the trail-building project progresses, the Carolina Climbers Coalition will be seeking volunteers for the effort. Details on trail work days can be found online here.
