Location:
Beginning in Virginia, follows the eastern ramparts of the Appalachian
Mountains from Shenandoah National Forest to the Great Smokies on the
state's western border.
Length: 469 miles (755 km)
Time To Allow: 2 to 3 days
Description/Highlights/Points
of Interest
The Blue Ridge Parkway provides spectacular mountain and valley vistas,
quiet pastoral scenes, sparkling waterfalls and colorful flower and foliage
displays as it extends through the Blue Ridge, Black, Craggy, Great Balsam
and Plott Balsam Mountains. Wind along Grandfather Mountain, the highest
in the Blue Ridge range and one of the oldest in the world.
Suggested
Itinerary
For your convenience, the Blue Ridge Parkway is marked with milepost markers
which, combined with the Parkway map, will guide you on your tour of the
Parkway. The Parkway officially begins near Waynesboro, Virginia at its
intersection with Interstate 64. The North Carolina section of the Blue
Ridge Parkway begins at the state line at Milepost 216.9 near Cumberland
Knob. Most services are available from May 1 through October.
The Blue Ridge Parkway offers numerous opportunities for the outdoor enthusiast,
from hikes up Cumberland Knob to leisurely walks through Fox
Hunters Paradise, where hunters once listened to their hounds baying
in the valley below. Between Mileposts 238.5 and 244.7 is Doughton
Park, named for staunch Parkway supporter Congressman Robert L. Doughton.
Doughton Park is one of the best places to spot deer, and camping is permitted
here. At the Northwest Trading Post, the old crafts within North
Carolina's 11 northwestern counties are kept alive. Shutterhounds shouldn't
miss Jumpinoff Rocks at Milepost 260.6, where a quick walk down
a short woodland trail, rewards travelers with a beautiful vista. From
mileposts 292-295 is the Moses H. Cone Memorial Park, which has
25 miles of carriage roads that are ideal for hiking and horseback riding.
Flat Top Manor houses the Parkway Craft Center. Another highlight
of the Parkway is the Linn Cove Viaduct (mi. 304.4), a design and
engineering marvel that skirts the side of Grandfather Mountain. For a
superb view of Grandfather Mountain and Linville Valley, hike the
trail at Flat Rock (mi. 308.3).
At Milepost 331, stop by the Museum of North Carolina Minerals,
an interpretive display of the state's mineral wealth. The Folk Art
Center (mi. 382) offers sales and exhibits of traditional and contemporary
crafts of the Appalachian Region. Mount Pisgah was once part of
the Biltmore Estate and later became home of the first U.S. forestry school
and the nucleus of the Pisgah National Forest. Devil's Courthouse
(mi. 422.4) is a rugged exposed mountaintop rich in Cherokee legends.
A walk to the bare rock summit yields a spectacular view of Pisgah
National Forest. Blue Ridge Parkway ends at milepost 469 at its intersection
with U.S. 441 in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and the Cherokee
Reservation.
Travel
Season/Dates
Watch for occasional road closings in the winter due to weather. Service
stations are limited.
The
Ultimate Driving Trip: The Blue Ridge Parkway From Top to Bottom
America Driving Vacations
Many travelers who enjoy leisure travel using their own car have often
dreamed about driving some of America's most scenic drives in total. Knowing
that the Blue Ridge Parkway is considered by many to be "America's most
scenic roadway," we have created "The Ultimate Driving Experience," as
12-day/12-night adventure traversing the Parkway from beginning to end.
Along the way, we've arranged for you to stay in the wonderful series
of historic hotels that dot the Parkway from top to bottom and explore
the heritage and culture of the nearby historic towns. Even though the
spring and fall have always been considered the ideal time to take a trip
like this, it will work in any season. Experiencing four distinct seasons,
the Parkway is constantly transforming itself. Whatever season you choose,
there are plenty of chances to slow down, relax, meander and enjoy some
of America's finest scenic views.
This package includes two nights at four outstanding Virginia properties,
as well as the Grove Park Inn in Asheville, NC and the Hemlock Inn in
Bryson City, NC. In addition, your package includes admission to Luray
Caverns, Monticello, Grandfather Mountain, Blowing Rock, Biltmore Estate,and
more!
Mountains, Castles & History America Driving Vacations
American Driving Vacations
One of the most interesting ways to combine the Blue Ridge Parkway with
history and heritage is through a trip to Asheville, North Carolina. With
friendly mountain charm, this city hosts a wealth of unique museums, galleries,
shops and restaurants. Asheville was also home to a group of well-known
writers and other cultural icons that make exploring this city particularly
interesting. Carl Sandburg, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Thomas Wolfe and the
wealthy Vanderbilts all drew their inspiration from the same dramatic
mountain landscape, one which you can explore today. Your 3-day/2-night
package includes accommodations at The Grove Park Inn Resort and Spa,
as well as admission to the Biltmore Estate.
The
Great Smokies: The Mountains at the End of the Trail
America Driving Vacations
As the Blue Ridge Parkway meanders its way through North Carolina on its
way south, the blue haze which gives the Parkway its name gradually turns
to a misty gray, the namesake of the Great Smoky Mountains. It's here
that the Parkway ends, winding its way through Great Smoky Mountains National
Park. Within all this beauty, is a great diversity of people and culture.
In addition to North Carolina mountain people, you can experience and
learn about Cherokee Indian customs and traditions. Couple these with
a stay at a mountain retreat, home cooked dinners and relaxation and you
have the ingredients of a great Break Away. This 3-day/2-night driving
experience includes accommodations at the Hemlock Inn, as well as admission
to the Museum of the Cherokee Indian, Oconaluftee Indian Village, the
Cherokee Heritage Museum and Gallery, Christus Gardens,and more!
For more information about this byway, contact:
The Blue Ridge
Parkway Association
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