The Fryingpan Mountain Lookout Tower, built in 1941, is a hit among visitors for a lot of reasons. Known for its beautiful views, the tower is close to Asheville, which makes it popular among residents. The trail is perfect for people of all ages and is also pet-friendly (dogs). You can enjoy views of Cold Mountain, Pisgah, and Looking Glass Rock from the tower.
Easier To Reach
As mentioned earlier, the tower is nearby and can be reached in about 40 minutes from Asheville. You can easily find the trail on most navigation apps and parking is also easy to find. Just look for Milepost 409.6 to reach the tower.
Not For People With Acrophobia
Since the tower is at a height of about at 5,340 feet, it might not be suitable for people who are afraid of heights. While the views are amazing, you will not be able to enjoy much if you have acrophobia (fear of heights). Nonetheless, if you have the courage to go up, we recommend you to climb five stories to enjoy even better views.
Don’t let the wind or loose panels scare you, they are only for added effects and pose no threat. Once you’re there, make sure to enjoy the breathtaking sunsets and sunrises.
There is also a fire tower, but its top block is blocked due to security reasons.
Get Ready to Walk
You will have to walk about 1.5 miles to reach the tower. While the hike does not offer any scenic views, you will be surrounded by greenery throughout.
At the end of it, you might come across a road that’s rutted. Make sure to walk there carefully to avoid injuries.
Not Much to Carry
While you can go with your flip-flops, we recommend you to put on your sneakers. Also, take a glass of water and light snacks. However, since there are no trash cans there, bring back all your trash and do not throw it away.