Historic Stone "Chalet Switz" a mile from center of Little Switzerland

Stay in your own little haven -- a stone chalet that was once the base of the Kilmichael Tower. This one bedroom chalet, with impressive ~2' thick stone walls and 23-foot cathedral ceiling, harks back to the days when the Kilmichaels left their mark in history on the Isle of Arran. Chalet Switz today offers Blue Ridge mountain ecology, imaginative architectural design and the perfect setting for a memorable getaway.

Located on the very top of ~4000-foot Grassy Mountain, the Chalet is a 30-minute walk to the Switzerland Inn, which is centered in a historic 100-year old town with quaint shops and an excellent bookstore; homes and gardens of extraordinary character; two historic churches (the Episcopal Church of the Resurrection built in 1912 that is on the National Register of Historic Places and the Chestnut Grove Baptist Church founded in 1877); and both fine and casual dining and a pub at the inn.

Unlike some residences in Little Switzerland, Chalet Switz gets no traffic noise from roads since it is located on the very top of the mountain. As you walk down a country road to the village you will enjoy breathtaking views and the countryside filled with wildlife and natural forest land, passing a few residences on the way as you descend 800 feet.

Chalet Switz is made of natural materials with the finest of craftsmanship. Cozy nooks include the kitchen and the inglenook with a wood-burning stone fireplace. The airy loft above with its 14' cathedral ceiling offers spectacular views of the extra-dark night sky right from the queen bed. Ralph Lauren all natural linens are provided. The 4' long deep Kohler Greek tub with hand-held shower and no shower curtain offers a view of a giant tulip tree set against the sky and is the only bathing. The commode is enclosed and has an operable Pella window that matches the other three in the loft plus additional natural light streams through the gable glass. The kitchen is equipped with refrigerator-freezer, stove/oven, coffee maker, toaster and distinctive dinnerware. There is no air conditioning; exceptional insulation, moveable stroller fans and a standing Hunter fan and the natural movement of air on the mountaintop provide temperature control and ventilation. A pleasant yard with outdoor furnishings surround the chalet. Many guests report the enjoyment of dining and relaxing outdoors. Feel free to roam the several acre mowed Commons area too, just across the trail road north of the chalet and maintained by our homeowners association. Parking is about 50' across the road from the entry door with stepping steps as shown providing access.

Your reservation is contingent upon your assuming all risk on Grassy Mountain Road, GMA property, and on the Chalet Switz property.

Between 5 and 30 miles away along the Blue Ridge Parkway is spectacular hiking at Linville Falls, Crabtree Falls, Craggy Gardens and Mt. Mitchell, although some places may be closed for Helene repairs or accessible only from the Asheville side through 2026. The Gallery and Visitor Center of the Penland School of Craft is slightly less than 15 miles away, the crucible for the dozens of pottery, glass, wood, iron and other fine craft studios and shops in the area.

In the winter, when 'the season' has ended and most village shops have closed, there are days and nights of endless views. You can lie in bed or bath and listen to the wind roar in the trees -- or sit in front of a murmuring fire in the cave-quiet inglenook. The thermal mass of the super-insulated home with dry electric heat combined with warmth emanating from the 23' tall rock chimney provides a winter wonderland haven.

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.

To explore in 2026:

Head out under the stone Blue Ridge Parkway bridge to reach the Emerald Mine and -- in less than 15 miles -- the Penland Museum and Visitors Center with some of America’s best fine craft studios established in the area nearby. Printed maps show studio locations and websites provide information on Blue Ridge Heritage Craft Trails and the Toe River Arts Council .  

Alternatively, from Little Switzerland head roughly east by back roads or take 226 and then the Parkway to historic Altapass Orchard with its many seasonal events, or take state or other roads to Linville Falls and Gorge, Crossnore, Grandfather Mountain, Blowing Rock, and at MP 292 the Parkway Craft Center in the historic Moses Cone Manor -- part of the larger Moses Cone Memorial Park.

The Parkway drive (when it is open) heading NW from Little Switzerland to Crabtree Falls and meadows is just 5 miles, Mt. Mitchell 18 miles beyond that, Craggy Gardens, and the Folk Art Center are at MP 382. The ~55-mile drive on the Blue Ridge Parkway from Little Switzerland to Asheville offers many scenic overlooks of the Black Mountains with 6 of the highest 10 peaks east of the Mississippi.

Other places of interest within 50 miles are the Bare Dark Sky Observatory, the town of Linville with historic structures sided in chestnut bark, Burnsville,  Black Mountain, Asheville, and The Biltmore Estate and village.

The town closest to Little Switzerland is Spruce Pine. With the convenience of a WalMart and McDonald's on the way, its downtown is less than a 10 mile drive past the state minerals museum, gem mining and Grassy Creek golf course with a restaurant open to the public. Named by Family Circle as Main Street, USA about a decade ago and known for its fine residents, Spruce Pine offers steps back in history. Explore the layout and restaurants first online to get ready for the real thing as the town continues recovering from Helene's winds and devastating flood waters that destroyed to old train depot and footbridge across the river and railroad tracks.

Before booking, be aware that this home is nestled into the 21-foot exterior dimensioned 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 8 weeks -- likely having entered through the open door. There is no AC and although in the past I've offered to put guests up at the Switzerland Inn during "heat waves," no one ever took me up on this offer. The elevation gives the mountaintop 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. The thermal mass from the thick concrete walls makes the downstairs like a wine cellar.

For people who like "conditioned" air, the humidity fluctuations (and effects on their hair) would probably be more problematic than the air temperature. Clouds sweeping across that 4000 foot mountain top and the life processes in surrounding dense forests create dramatic fluctuations.

​I'd suggest concerned travelers wait and see what the weather report is closer to​ a planned trip or reserve​ with the understanding that in the event of a heat wave -- or for that matter an ice or snow storm -- I'd be happy to reschedule at no cost to another ​time.

If a stray mouse or a beetle walking in or a cobweb appearing 14' feet above or the stains from a chimney leak fixed 30 years ago or walking to the door on stepping stones instead of a concrete sidewalk or a mattress with no "memory foam," no TV, microwave, dishwasher, or regular shower and bathroom would ruin your stay, please don't try to make a reservation.

Again, your reservation is contingent upon your assuming all risk on Grassy Mountain Road, our homeowners' association Commons, and on the Chalet Switz property inside and out.

If you value what is historic, unconventional, fun, romantic, finely crafted, low-chem, aesthetic, rustic, private, sustainably built, nested into nature and the firmament with the Eastern Continental Divide running through the property -- wild but not remote with scenic views along the narrow road to the village, Chalet Switz may be for you.


Keywords: Haven for one person, Chalet for two, Mountaintop Getaway