Ek, which is spelled Elk in English, is a small city in northeastern Poland. Its population is estimated at 61,677 as of December 2021. It was assigned to the Warmian-Masurian Voivodeship in 1999 after previously belonging to the Suwaki Voivodeship. It is the seat of Ek County.
Boone Fork Trail
If you’re interested in hiking, the Boone Fork Trail is an easy 5.2-mile out-and-back. It’s suitable for people of all skill levels, and features several creek crossings and tunnels. The trail is located within Julian Price Memorial Park.
There are plenty of places to hike in Elk. There’s the Boone Fork Trail, which is part of the Julian Price Memorial Park. This five-mile-long trail weaves through thickets of rhododendron and passes under Linn Cove Viaduct. There’s also the Tanawha Trail, which crisscrosses the town’s southeastern ridge.
The Tanawha Trail is also part of the Mountains-to-Sea Trail, a 1,175-mile-long hiking route linking Clingman’s Dome in Great Smoky Mountains National Park to Jockey’s Ridge on North Carolina’s Outer Banks. The Tanawha Trail is about one-third of the way down this route. If you’re driving, you can take NC-105 south to Milepost 305.2 and then turn left at the trailhead.
Elk Knob State Park is another place to visit in Elk. This park was established in 2003 and protects the North Fork of the New River. It offers panoramic views and backcountry camping. Backcountry campsites are located in the cover forest for a more primitive experience. The park also has an ungroomed trail for winter sports.
If you’re a nature lover, this waterfall is a must-see. It features cascades and a natural rock slide. The falls are over 30 feet high, and continue for another 50 feet. The hike is just over a mile long, but is strenuous. During the summer, the falls are frequently visited by locals and tourists.
Woodring Farm Viewing Area
A beautiful 3/4-mile trail encircles prime elk viewing habitat in the Moshannon State Forest. The trail includes educational panels and is handicap accessible. Other excellent viewing spots include the Hicks Run Viewing Area, which offers a photography blind and is also handicap accessible.
Visitors can also visit the abandoned nuclear jet engine testing bunkers, which are remnants of a Cold-War-era base. The two viewing areas are located just off of the Quehanna Highway. This area is part of State Game Lands 100, which covers 21,054 acres in Centre and Clearfield counties.
This area is ideal for elk viewing, especially if you visit before sunset. It is also possible to view the animals from across the road. I saw elk thrashing the trees and rubbing their suborbital glands on the trees. I was lucky enough to catch the sun behind the mountains when I saw this.
The best time to view elk is during the rutting season, which lasts from Labor Day to Columbus Day. Weekends are crowded during this time. You should avoid feeding the elk, which is illegal in Pennsylvania. During rutting season, elk can become aggressive, so stay clear.
There are a number of places in Elk that offer excellent views of the wildlife. For example, the Woodring Farm Viewing Area is just half a mile from the public viewing area. There is plenty of roadside parking, and signage is helpful in finding the area. If you are adventurous enough, you can also visit the hidden back terraces of Woodring Farm.
Hicks Run Viewing Area
The Hicks Run Viewing Area is a great place to see wildlife. The area lies near the Sinnemahoning Creek and is accessible by taking an unmarked trail downhill. There, you will see elk congregating in a field. There’s also a Tom Mix plaque, which is dedicated to the local film star Tom Mix. This hiking trail is not for beginners.
The Hicks Run Viewing Area is a popular spot to see elk, which live in this area year-round. The elk are typically active early in the morning and late in the evening. The viewing area is located along Route 555 about 12 miles east of Benezette. Hikers may also want to explore the Woodring Farm, a small, easy trail that circles an 81-acre elk habitat.
This viewing area offers a covered blind where viewers can watch elk during inclement weather. There are restrooms and handicap access at the viewing area. A covered viewing platform is also available for photography purposes. The area is well-known for its fall foliage, making it an excellent place for wildlife viewing.
There are also several options for elk viewing in the area, and the most popular one is at the Elk Country Visitor Center. Here, you can learn more about the elk, their habitat and how to get closer to them. The facility also has a gift shop, restrooms, and a food truck.
Hawksnest zip-line attraction
If you’re looking for something fun to do in Elk, you might want to check out the Hawksnest zip-line attraction. There are 4 areas where you can zipline, each with up to 30 moving carpet lifts. The attraction also offers season-long ziplining.
The Hawksnest Zipline is a place for the entire family to enjoy. Guests can ride on up to four miles of cable, which will take them over trees, creeks, and lakes. The ride is also accompanied by panoramic views of the Blue Ridge Mountains. It’s located near Highway 105 South, between Boone and Banner Elk. The location is also close to Seven Devils ski area, and it’s a great place for family fun.
Those looking for an adrenaline rush will be thrilled by Hawksnest’s zip-line tour. Visitors can choose between two tours – the Eagle Tour and the Hawk Tour – for their zip-line adventures. The Hawk Tour features eleven cables spanning over 1.5 miles, two of them surpassing 1500 feet. Both tours can be completed in about two hours, and you can choose which one to take. The Hawk Tour is recommended for beginners and the Eagle Tour is best for more experienced zipliners. If you’re a little bit spooked by the speed of the cables, you can opt for the Snow Bird Tour, which is a combination of the Hawk Tour and Eagle Tour.
If you’re looking for family fun, Hawksnest Snowtubing and Zip Line park is a great place to check out. The park has over 20 zip lines, and you can experience up to 50 mph on the high-speed rides. High Mountain Expeditions offers other mountain activities for the whole family, including hiking, caving, and river tubing.
Banner Elk Winery & Villa
Located in Banner Elk, NC, Banner Elk Winery & Villa offers guests a relaxing, luxurious lifestyle in a beautiful setting. The hotel offers free wireless Internet access and eight luxurious suites. Many rooms come with fireplaces, tube TVs, and jetted tubs. Guests can also enjoy the winery’s frequent events and activities.
This vineyard is home to some of the most renowned wines in North Carolina. The winery offers private tastings and events every week. Visitors can also enjoy the winery’s photo gallery. Banner Elk Winery & Villa is one of the most popular destinations in the High Country.
Located in the Blue Ridge Mountains, Banner Elk Winery & Villa is considered the jewel of the High Country. Guests can enjoy its idyllic setting, luxury accommodations, and unsurpassed service. The estate is a perfect getaway for large groups, and is home to award-winning wines.
The Banner Elk Winery & Villa offers air-conditioned rooms with free WiFi. The rooms feature a private bathroom and mountain views. Rooms also have a seating area and wardrobes. Each morning, guests can enjoy a continental or American breakfast. Guests arriving by plane can fly into the Tri-City Regional Airport, 60 km away.
