In addition to the stunning views, this hike includes a small mixture of "red spruce and balsam fir trees which typically grow in the more northerly latitudes." Known as a Southern-Appalachian spruce-fir forest, you will find similar ecosystems throughout the highest peaks in North Carolina - especially in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

You have two options for parking. This route is mapped from the Little Stony Many Parking Area on Skyline Drive. It's a more challenging climb to the summit - but well-worth the effort.

Alternatively, there is a parking area at the entrance into Skyland. Out-and-back hikes from this trailhead are quite popular since the route "gains less than 400 vertical feet in about 1 kilometer," according to Wikipedia. If you start there, consider looping the Stony Man Trail and Appalachian Trail for a shorter sub-2 mile loop.

Pets are not allowed on Stony Man Trail.

Sources: https://www.hikingupward.com/SNP/StonyMan/ https://www.nps.gov/thingstodo/hikestonyman.htm https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/StonyManMountain