Witness three spectacular ranges: the Pisgah Ledge, the Great Balsams, and the Plott Balsams, with all their hiking, biking trails, and beautiful grassy knoll picnicking.
This remote and wild southernmost stretch of the Blue Ridge Parkway will keep you alert at elevations above 6,000 feet with long stretches of rocky cliff faces and high-flying ledges. At 75 miles long, this journey is ideal for weekend warriors and families, and can be extended for another 390 miles into Virginia’s Shenandoah National Park. Starting in Asheville and heading south on the Parkway, you will ascend to traverse 3 spectacular ranges:the Great Balsams, the Pisgah Ledge, and the Plott Balsams.
Along the way, you can stop off at a number of long trails and scenic overlooks such as the the Buck Spring Gap and Shut-in Trails Overlook to catch a glimpse of the mountaintops shrouded in fog and clouds. Passing the French Broad River will lead you to the North Carolina Arboretum, which contains a variety of a greenhouse, gardens, and selection of hiking, biking, and walking trails.
Drive through a series of long tunnels and finish up at the Mount Pisgah Picnic Area for a bite to eat and a break in the beautiful grassy knoll surroundings. The final 10 miles will run you along ridges northwest of the Cherokee Indian Reservation and lead you to the Oconaluftee River, where the Parkway converges with the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
Starting Point:
Asheville, NC
Distance of Drive:
75 miles
Must Eat:
Café on the Square
1 Biltmore Avenue, Asheville, NC 28801
Phone: 828-251-5565
Call ahead to confirm hours of operation.
Best Time of Year for Drive:
Summer is the best time to take this drive due to the extreme cold during the winter at high elevations.
Points of Interest on Drive:
Several ranges including the Great Balsams
Pisgah and Nantahala National Forests
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Oconaluftee River
Cherokee Indian Reservation
Tagged with: Blue Ridge • hiking • North Carolina
Filed under: Best Road Trips