An awesome, challenging trail. You have to hike about half a mile on the Tanawha trail to get to the Daniel Boone Scout trailhead and the real climbing begins here. Toward the top of the climb you'll find ropes and ladders to help you reach the summit, well worth the effort for the views! You need to purchase a permit to hike this trail as it is on Grandfather Mountain property (private). We purchased our permits at Footsloggers in Boone (also a Footsloggers in Blowing Rock) and you can also purchase a permit at the Grandfather Mountain Country Store (though it was closed the day we went to the trail). Permits cost between $5 (quoted on grandfather.com) and $7 (what we actually paid at Footsloggers).
From Blowing Rock, take US 221 about 8 miles to Grandfather Mountain Country store. Take a right onto Holloway Mtn. road to the Blue Ridge parkway. Head south on the parkway to mile marker 300 and the parking area on the right. The parking area is not well signed but it is the one with painted lines (the other 2 you will pass are just overlooks without marked parking spaces).
http://www.tripleblaze.com/trail.php?c=3&i=10