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Elevation: 3,515 ft
GPS: 35.88831, -81.88519
Google Map · Climbing Area Map
Page Views: 280,935 total · 1,324/month
Shared By: Chris Chaney on Oct 14, 2006 · Updates
Admins: Steve Lineberry, Aaron Parlier
Warning Access Issue: 2023 seasonal raptor closure (January 15th-August 15th) DetailsDrop down

Description Suggest change

Table Rock sits high on the eastern ridge of Linville Gorge. It commands a spectacular view of the surrounding landscape of western North Carolina.

This is a very popular destination for beginners and there is a tourist trail to the summit. There is a road that ends very close to the climbing area as well. These factors combine to create a rather circus-like atmosphere at times.

Despite that, Table Rock can be a fun, relaxing experience if approached with good judgement and knowledge.

Getting There Suggest change

From the parking lot, take the trail north (toward Table Rock: the big cliff you can see from the bathrooms). After about 5 min (0.25 mi), you will see a 3 foot high Rock wall on the right (made from really big rocks) turn right up this trail. Then after about 1 min (50 yards), you will see the first trail on your left; only take this to get to "The South End" routes ("Fresh Garbage" through "Two Pitch").

Keep going straight for "The East Face" routes ("Blood, Sweat and Tears" through "My Route") and "The North End" routes ("Second Stanza" through "Devil's Cellar Chimney".

After about 7 min (part of which you will be walking right next to the cliff on your left) you will arrive at 3 railroad tie steps; right above these are the bases of "Jim Dandy" and "Peek-a-Boo".

If you keep going, the trail will steepen; after about 8 min the trail will bring you to a 6 foot high scramble up through a little chimney formed by the cliff on your left and a huge boulder on your right. Right before this chimney is the base of "The Cave Route".

After scrambling up through that little chimney, the trail will curve to the left and then really steepen into a 4th class scramble up about 30 feet, which will bring you to "the Lunch Ledge" to the left, and "The North End" routes ("Second Stanza" through "Devil's Cellar Chimney") to the right.

On "the Lunch Ledge", the cliff will be on your right, and the first route you will come to is the base of "My Route" 5.6, then keep going to access the base of the 3rd pitch of "The Cave Route".

Where to Stay

Suggest change
Hostels and Hotels

Harmony Hostel in Banner Elk, NC welcomes climbers.

71 Total Climbs

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Classic Climbing Routes at Table Rock

Mountain Project's determination of the classic, most popular, highest rated climbing routes in this area.
5.4 4a 12 IV 10 VD 3c
 328
Jim Dandy
Trad 3 pitches
5.5 4b 13 IV+ 11 MS 4a
 296
North Ridge
Trad 3 pitches
5.5 4b 13 IV+ 11 MS 4a
 142
Peek-a-Boo
Trad 3 pitches
5.5 4b 13 IV+ 11 MS 4a
 192
Cave Route
Trad 3 pitches
5.6 4c 14 V 12 S 4b
 257
My Route
Trad 2 pitches
5.6 4c 14 V 12 S 4b
 84
Skip to My Lou
Trad 2 pitches
5.7 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b
 85
Hidden Crack
Trad 4 pitches
5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c
 87
Crackerjack
Trad 2 pitches
5.8+ 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c
 213
White Lightning
Trad 2 pitches
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a
 107
Slippin' into Darkness
Trad
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a
 62
Second Stanza
Trad 4 pitches
5.10a 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a
 8
Peek-a-Boo Direct
Trad 2 pitches
5.10- 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a
 7
Excess Reality
Trad 2 pitches
5.10+ 6b+ 21 VII+ 20 E3 5b PG13
 41
What's Up Doc?
Trad, Sport
5.11c 6c+ 24 VIII- 24 E4 6a
 5
Indecent exposure
Trad 2 pitches
Route Name Location Star Rating Difficulty Date
Jim Dandy
 328
5.4 4a 12 IV 10 VD 3c Trad 3 pitches
North Ridge
 296
5.5 4b 13 IV+ 11 MS 4a Trad 3 pitches
Peek-a-Boo
 142
5.5 4b 13 IV+ 11 MS 4a Trad 3 pitches
Cave Route
 192
5.5 4b 13 IV+ 11 MS 4a Trad 3 pitches
My Route
 257
5.6 4c 14 V 12 S 4b Trad 2 pitches
Skip to My Lou
 84
5.6 4c 14 V 12 S 4b Trad 2 pitches
Hidden Crack
 85
5.7 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b Trad 4 pitches
Crackerjack
 87
5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c Trad 2 pitches
White Lightning
 213
5.8+ 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c Trad 2 pitches
Slippin' into Darkness
 107
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a Trad
Second Stanza
 62
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a Trad 4 pitches
Peek-a-Boo Direct
 8
5.10a 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a Trad 2 pitches
Excess Reality
 7
5.10- 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a Trad 2 pitches
What's Up Doc?
 41
5.10+ 6b+ 21 VII+ 20 E3 5b PG13 Trad, Sport
Indecent exposure
 5
5.11c 6c+ 24 VIII- 24 E4 6a Trad 2 pitches
More Classic Climbs in Table Rock »

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