Chalet Switz in the village of Little Switzerland

Stay in your own little haven on the very top of Grassy Mountain: the 21-foot square base of the historic Kilmichael Tower completed in 1932 has morphed into an artful stone chalet. The romance of interior stone walls can make it seem like you are in a castle of your own. With nearly two-foot thick walls and a 23-foot cathedral ceiling, handcrafted interiors, and views of the night sky from the loft queen bed in a designated Dark Sky zone, the chalet is a perfect setting for a memorable getaway. The space Location, location, location -- surrounded by forested nature, in a historic building on top of a 4000 foot high mountain, and near the Blue Ridge Parkway. Chalet Switz is a fun vacation getaway space tailored to one or two persons in a spacious residential mountain neighborhood The chalet is located about 800' above the village of Little Switzerland on a nearly mile long, one lane, well-maintained private gravel road that serves just over a dozen homes. Parking is about 60' across the road from the entry door and gravel, grass and stepping stops as shown provide access. The stone fireplace, spiral stair, and Kohler Greek soaking tub (no shower) that backs up to the chimney with a sky-view in the bedroom loft are designed for the agile and the young at heart. Surrounded by forested lands and meadows with nature still intact on the very top of Grassy Mountain, wildlife is nearby. Deer, bear, fox, shrews, wildcats, bats and richly varied bird life inhabit the area. Treat them with respect. The Eastern Continental Divide runs through the property about 20 feet from the bed. In the winter, snow-topped Mt. Mitchell is visible from the yard and Commons area. It is a delightful stroll downhill along Grassy Mountain Road to the bookstore, cafe, inn, post office, and shops. To the W and NW you have views of the Black Mountains, named for their dark forested slopes with red spruce and Fraser fir. After the hairpin turn, views to the south open up. Once in the village, the Switzerland Inn offers views south into the valley from both outdoor terrace dining and indoor dining. The inn's various dining spaces, fireplaces, well-tended bar and the pub and tap room give diners wonderful choices. In the winter, there is peaceful quiet and endless views. You can lie in bed or bath and listen to the wind roar in the trees -- or sit in front of a fire in the cave-quiet inglenook. The super-insulated home warmed with two electric heaters combined with warmth emanating from the fireplace and 23' tall rock chimney is truly a haven when the winds blast down from Mt. Mitchell -- about 18 miles to the NW, the highest mountain east of the Mississippi River . The mountaintop location is a Dark Sky zone, the mountain itself effectively blocking the few lights in the village. To get detailed sky viewing information and then book last minute stays for incredible views of the firmament according to your desire -- from a full moon casting shadows in the woods to dark nights with spangled star galaxies and shooting stars visible from the bed -- download and check WeatherKit on an Apple phone or computer, now that Apple has bought out Dark Sky weather forecasts. For night sky instruction and telescopic aid, visit the unique Bare Dark Sky Observatory just under 13 miles away. Ranging afield and heading out by car under the stone Blue Ridge Parkway bridge, you soon reach the Emerald Village and Mine and -- in less than 15 miles -- the Penland School of Craft with its welcoming Gallery and Visitors Center and fine craft studios established nearby. Ceramics, woodworking, glass, iron, weaving, and jewelry making are well represented. At the Penland gallery, ask for information on studios in the Blue Ridge National Heritage Area, including the Toe River Art Studio Tour. Charleston Mag has a May 2022 article online about places to discover the Blue Ridge creative spirit. Alternatively, instead of going under the Parkway bridge, after the road repairs following Helene are complete hopefully by the end of September, get on the Parkway heading west for a drive among the most scenic in the world to Crabtree Falls and meadows in just 5 miles. Currently Mt. Mitchell -- 18 miles beyond with its many trails --is accessible by the Parkway coming from Asheville, passing the Folk Art Center and Craggy Gardens on the way. Or drive east on the Parkway to the Altapass Orchard, Linville Falls and Gorge, the town of Linville with historic structures sided in chestnut bark, with countless overlooks and hikes along the way. Another delightful option is to explore the area on back roads. The closest town to Little Switzerland is Spruce Pine. Named by Family Circle as Main Street, USA a few years back and known for its fine residents, Spruce Pine offers steps back in history along the Toe River with stops at the Bark House and DT's Blue Ridge Java. Its downtown is less than a 10 mile drive from Chalet Switz. Along the way are the state Museum of North Carolina Minerals, a WalMart Super Center, open air gem mining, the Grassy Creek golf course with restaurant and outdoor seating, and a Western Sizzler with salad bar.$$$$$$$$ Before booking, communication on the Airbnb platform is needed so that the Host can determine insofar as possible if the guests will be a good fit and so that guests can ask Q's about the accommodations. Before seeking to reserve, be aware that this home is nestled into the 21-foot square base of the Old Kilmichael Tower. It is small. As the photos show, un-curtained 10' high glass gables face east and west. Be ready to greet the sunrise and be bathed in moonlight in the loft bed. Understand that while mice don't live in the chalet, a mouse is reported about every 6 weeks -- likely having entered through the open door. There is no AC and no one has ever left because it is too hot inside, the elevation giving it the temps of southern Canada. A flap in the glass entry door and operable windows in the loft facing N, W, and S provide cross ventilation. An assortment of stroller fans can be strategically positioned to vent warm air that collects in the peak. If a stray mouse or a beetle walking in or a cobweb appearing 14' feet above or stains from a chimney leak fixed 30 years ago or walking to the door on stepping stones instead of a concrete sidewalk or no TV, microwave, dishwasher, or regular shower and bathroom would ruin your stay, please don't try to make a reservation. Your reservation is contingent upon your assuming all risk on Grassy Mountain Road, GMA property, and on the Chalet Switz property. If you value what is historic, unconventional, fun, romantic, aesthetic, rustic, private, sustainably built, wild but not remote and close to nature with scenic views including along the narrow road to the village, Chalet Switz may be for you. Guest access You have access to the entire chalet, private yard with roses and berries in season, and the HOA grassy commons area across the gravel trail stretching north a few acres. Other things to note Chalet Switz has high speed 100 Mbps internet. Cell phone coverage is best with Verizon, spotty with AT&T.