Alpine Inn
Little Switzerland, North Carolina
Welcome to the Alpine Inn
The Alpine Inn is a beautiful and rustic lodge with absolutely magnificent views. Perched on the side of Grassy Mountain at elevation of 3,200 feet, the Inn is located in Little Switzerland, North Carolina one mile off the Blue Ridge Parkway at milepost 334. We have 12 charming, comfortable rooms: eight with balconies, and four lodge rooms. They all have great views with windows that open, and private bathrooms. And because of our central location between Asheville and Boone, Alpine Inn is the perfect destination for exploring nearby Linville Falls, Mount Mitchell State Park, Grandfather Mountain, Crabtree Falls and other area attractions. Our GPS address is 8576 NC 226-A • Marion, NC 28752.
Room with a view
The views from the balconies at Alpine Inn are some of the most amazing along the entire Blue Ridge Parkway. Watch the sunrise over the mountains in the morning, feel the cool of the afternoon shade as the sun drops west, and watch the stars and the lights of the towns below start to twinkle in the night. And do it all right outside your room on your balcony.
Aerial video
The afternoon we flew the drone over the Alpine Inn was a beautiful blue-sky summer day. The video offers many amazing views of the Inn and the wonderful mountain scenery that is all around us, including aerial shots of the buildings, property, and location on the side of Grassy Mountain on Highway 226A along the McDowell / Mitchell County line.
Charming rooms
Alpine Inn offers 12 comfortable, charming rooms, all with private bathrooms, including one with a clawfoot tub. Some rooms have a single queen bed, others have two double beds. Eight of the rooms have balconies that overlook the mountains.
Each room has knotty pine wood paneling, desk and chairs, and ceiling fan. Several rooms adjoin, ideal for groups wanting to spend time together but have separate accommodations. Our rooms do not have televisions or air conditioning, but there are fans and a heating unit in each room, and Wifi is free.
“My husband and I stayed for 2 nights in May on our travels. The hospitality from Ron and Susan was fabulous. We arrived in the rain which didn’t stop until late the next day but it was lovely being in the cloud and amongst the trees and just made the views even more spectacular when they appeared!” From TripAdvisor
Touring the Blue Ridge
Alpine Inn is one mile from the beautiful and historic Blue Ridge Parkway in Little Switzerland at milepost 334. We are centrally located for awesome day-trips to Mount Mitchell (the highest mountain East of the Mississippi River), Grandfather Mountain, Linville Gorge and the stunning Linville Falls. There are restaurants and retail shops nearby.
Enjoy breakfast on the balcony
Breakfast is available for purchase daily from 7:30am to 9am. Enjoy yours on the balcony, and listen to birds sing and chirp in the cool mountain air. Please Note: Breakfast is not included with the room, but available for separate purchase.
Challenge & reward
Alpine Inn is a great place for cyclists to relax and unwind after a day of riding. The Blue Ridge Parkway and surrounding mountain roads make for a challenging course and present various levels of difficulty. If you like to ride, we welcome you to the Inn and we’ll help you find the best local routes.
“My husband and I together with some friends and family just stayed at this place for the second time. We love it. Such a beautiful location. The innkeepers are so friendly and service-minded. The rooms are cozy and clean. And nothing beats the view of the sunrise in the morning. Will most likely visit this place again if we come back to the area.” From TripAdvisor
Relax and enjoy Alpine’s amenities
The outdoor recreation area is a shady, cool place to hang out and relax, and enjoy a fire in the evening. The view of the horizon is amazing day or night. Firepit chiminea, cushioned swing, wooden Adirondack chairs, propane & charcoal grills, and covered picnic table in a laid back setting.
Ron & Susan Lough bought the Alpine Inn in 2005. The Inn is their home, and they welcome people to visit and stay awhile. “Over 90 percent of our guests are returning guests. We call them Alpiners, and they love the Inn. Over the years they have become dear friends of ours.”
Welcome motorcyclists
Alpine Inn is a welcoming & friendly place for motorcycle riders traveling the Blue Ridge Parkway. We are located on right on The Diamondback route on Highway 226-A as it climbs Turkey Creek from Marion to the Blue Ridge Parkway. We have rooms with one bed, two beds, adjoining rooms for groups traveling together, and balconies that offer spectacular views.
Honeymoon & Anniversary
Looking for a beautiful, memorable place to spend your honeymoon or anniversary? Alpine Inn is a wonderful place to celebrate special moments in your life. We offer rooms with balconies, bathtubs, a cool and relaxed atmosphere and many fun things to do in the mountains. And the entire inn is available for destination weddings.
Relax
Some days, you just want to hang around your room, read a book, drink a glass of wine and watch the afternoon light fade over the mountains. We have grills available for guests to use, a firepit chiminea, hammock, and a guest lounge with a microwave, coffee-maker, and a small refrigerator that has cold drinks.
Local fun & adventure
Alpine Inn is located right in the sweet spot of the North Carolina mountains. Close to Crabtree Falls, Linville Falls, Linville Gorge (pictured left), and less than an hour to Mount Mitchell and Grandfather Mountain. We can help you find all kinds of fun activities.
“This was my third time staying at the Alpine Inn and I am never disappointed! They have the best views and Inn Keepers on the mountain. We arrived late in the afternoon and there was a nice campfire outside. The next morning we had a great breakfast. We will certainly return as soon as we can.” From TripAdvisor
The Balcony Building (above right) has rooms 4 – 6 on the middle floor, and rooms 7 – 9 on the top floor. Each room has a private balcony with full wall dividers, and two chairs and a small table. The balcony for rooms 2 & 3 can be see above on the left. The four Lodge Rooms (10-14) are located on the floor below Rooms 2-3.
