Mile 0 – Rockfish Gap near Waynesboro, Va., is the northern end of the Blue Ridge Parkway. To the north the parkway connects directly to Skyline Drive, which winds 105 miles north through Shenandoah National Park. U.S. 250 and 1-64 take you to Charlottesville to the east or Staunton to the west.
5 to 9.3 – Humpback Rocks has a self-guiding trail through a collection of old Appalachian farm buildings. A hiking trail from the parking area (at mile 6.1) leads 0.75 mile to The Rocks, whose humped appearance gives the area its name. Greenstone self-guiding trail (8.8).
8.8 – GREENSTONE PARKING OVERLOOK, self guided nature trail.
10.7 – Ravens Roost offers vistas of Torry Mountain and Shenandoah Valley to the west.
16 – Sherando Lake is a recreation area in George Washington National Forest 4.5 miles from the parkway via Va. 814. Swimming, picnicking, and camping. Fees charged.
29 – Whetstone Ridge gave many a mountain man a fine-grained sharpening stone
34.4 – Yankee Horse Ridge is where a hard-riding Union soldier’s horse fell and supposedly had to be shot. Walk to Wigwam Falls to see a reconstructed spur of an old logging railroad
45.6 – HUMPHREYS GAP – US-60 crossover.Alt. 2,312. East to Amherst; west to Buena Vista & Lexington.
56.0 to 63.7 – OTTER CREEK. Campground, Visitor Center, trails. Alt. 800.
61.6 – Rt. 130 crossover. Lynchburg is 20 mi. east; Glasgow is 9 mi. west and Natural Bridge is 15 mi. west.
63.7 – US 501 CROSSOVER West to Natural Bridge 15 mi. East to Lynchburg 22 mi.Alt 670.
NATURAL BRIDGE, VA. ALT. 1,150
74.7 – THUNDER RIDGE PARKING AREA. Superb view of Arnold’s Valley & 8 minute loop trail. Alt. 3,485.
76.7 – HIGH POINT ON THE PARKWAY IN VIRGINIA. Atl. 3,950. Apple Orchard Mountain (El. 4,229).
83.8 – WILKINSON GAP. 1-3/4 hour foot trail to summit of Flat Top Mt. Alternative trail down south side of mt. to vicinity of Big Springs on. Va. 43 takes 1 hour. Alt. 2,511.
84 to 87 – Peaks of Otter’s spectacular views have been popular since the days of Thomas Jefferson. A shuttle bus provides service to Sharp Top. Fee charged.
86.0 – VA 43 to Bedford, east 10 mi.
90.9 – BEARWALLOW GAP. 4 mi. to Buchanan (VA 43). Alt. 2,258.
106.0 – JUNCTION PARKWAY & US 460. 21 mi. northeast to Bedford, Va. & 9 miles southwest to Roanoke.
112.2 – JUNCTION PARKWAY & VA 24. Nearest access to Smith Mt. Lake via Va. 24 & 122. 5 mi. south to Roanoke.
114.9 – Roanoke River Gorge opens before you from the overlook, after a 10-minute walk.
115.1 – Virginia’s Explore Park celebrates the state’s role in Westward Expansion. Historic buildings, exhibits, and demonstrations. Fee charged.
120.4 – Roanoke Mountain is a 3.7-mile side trip. The one-way loop road takes you over the mountain for impressive views. Steep grades; towed vehicles prohibited.
188.8 – Groundhog Mountain is a good place to see different kinds of rural fences: snake, post and rail, picket, and buck. Picnic grounds and observation tower.
58 to 63.6 – Otter Creek tumbles 10 miles down the Blue Ridge to the James River.
Otter Lake (63.1) fishing, trail.
63.8 – James River and the Kanawha Canal is where a footbridge leads across the river to the restored canal locks and exhibits. A self-guiding trail follows the river bluff.
71 – Petites Gap is named for a local family. The road to the west goes to Cave Mountain Lake, seven miles away, in Jefferson National Forest. Swimming, picnicking, camping.
83.4 – Fallingwater Cascades can be seen along a 1.6-mile loop trail.
121.4 – JUNCTION PARKWAY & US 220. Roanoke is 5 mi. north. South: 5 mi. to Boones Mill, 21 mi. to rocky Mount, 45 mi. to Martinsville. Smith Mountain Lake by way of US 220 to Rocky Mount and Va. Rt. 40.
129.6 – Roanoke Valley Overlook gives a view of the largest community along the parkway. Reach the city via U.S. 220 (at milepost 121), Va. 24 (at 112), and U.S. 460 (at 105).
136.0 – ADNEY GAP. JUNCTION PARKWAY & US 221. Alt. 2,690.
144.0 – DEVILS BACKBONE PARKING OVERLOOK. Alt. 2,685. Beautiful view.
144.8 – PINE SPUR PARKING OVERLOOK.Named for the white pine tree depicted on Parkway emblem. Alt. 2,703.
154.5 – Smart View is just that; go to the Trail Cabin built in the 1890s and you’ll see smart view,” especially in early May when the dogwood trees bloom.
165.2 – TUGGLE GAP. VA 8 crossover. 6 mi. north to floyd; 20 mi. to Christiansburg. 6 mi. east to Woolwine; 16 mi. to Fairystone State Park – swimming, boating, picnicking, camping. Alt. 2,752.
TUGGLE GAP, VA. ALT. 2,752
FLOYD, VA. 6 miles from Parkway on Rt. 8.
NEWBERN, VA. Entire town (1 mile) declared National Historic Landmark. Claytor Lake.
167 to 174 – Rocky Knob rises like the cresting of a wave to overlook Rock Castle Gorge.
176.1 – Mabry Mill was run by E.B. Mabry from 1910 to 1935. A trail leads you to his gristmill, sawmill, and blacksmith shop and to other exhibits. Old-time skills are demonstrated in the summer and fall.
MEADOWS OF DAN, VA. ALT. 2,964
177.7 – US 58 CROSSOVER. Hillsville is 22 mi. west. Stuart, Martinsville, Danville to East. LAUREL FORK, VA. 7 miles west on US 58.
MAYBERRY, VA. ALT 2,783
188.8 – GROUNDHOG MOUNTAIN PARKING OVER-LOOK. Observation tower, picnic area, comfort station, examples of various types of old chestnut split rail fences. View of Piedmont of North Carolina.
189.9 – PUCKETT CABIN EXHIBIT. Home 9f midwife, Orleans Hawks Puckett. Alt.2,850.
ORCHARD GAP, VA. ALT. 2,675
199.5 – FANCY GAP, US 52 CROSSOVER. 14 mi. east to Mt. Airy, N.C.; 8 mi. west to Hillsville, VA.
FANCY GAP, VA. ALT 2,920.
213 – Blue Ridge Music Center celebrates Blue Ridge music and musicians, a significant strand of American musical culture alive and thriving in the region. Includes a visitor center, museum, outdoor amphitheater, and trails. For program listings visit www.blueridgemusiccenter.org
215.0 – VA 89 CROSSOVER. Galax is 7 mi. north.
GALAX, VA. POP. 6700. 7 mi. north of Parkway on VA 89. Home of “OLD FIDDLER’S CONVENTION”. Antiques, crafts and museum.
216.9 – N.C.-VIRGINIA STATE LINE. Alt. 2,547.
217.5 – Cumberland Knob, Visitor Contact’ Station for information. Picnic area, comfort stations, water. Short loop (15 min.) trail to Cumberland Knob, ele. 2,855. 2 hour loop trail into Gully Creek gorge. Alt. 2,740.
218.6 – Fox Hunters Paradise, a 10-minute walk, is where hunters could listen to their hounds baying in the valley below. Parking area & overlook. Short trail to the Paradise where old time fox hunters gathered to listen to their hounds run. Alt. 2,805.
229.0 – US 21 CROSSOVER. Sparta, NC is 7 mi. west. Roaring Gap, NC is 4 mi. east. Alt. 3,010.
GLADE VALLEY, N.C. ALT. 3,000. “The Mountain Learning Village”. Located 2.3 mi. from Parkway Hwy 21. Sparta, N.C. is 5 mi. north on 21.
238.5 – Brinegar Cabin was built by Martin Brinegar about 1880 and lived in until the 1930s when the homestead was purchased from his widow for the parkway. The original cabin stands here today.
238.5 to 244.7 – Doughton Park was named for Congressman Robert L. Doughton, a staunch supporter and neighbor of the parkway. One of the best places to see deer. Campground. Picnic area (mile 241), campground (mile 239),
comfort stations, water, 20 miles of trails. Brinegar Cabin at mile 238.5 has hand weaving demonstrations May-
Oct. Wildcat Rocks at mile 241.1 has 1,500 ft. drop to site of Caudill family homestead. Alt. 3,710.
248.1 – NC 18 CROSSOVER. 2 mi. west of Laurel Springs. North Wilkesboro is 24 mi. east.
GLENDALE SPRINGS, N.C. 3/10 mile west of Parkway at Milepost 259 on NC 16.
258.6 – Northwest Trading Post offers crafts from North Carolina’s northwestern counties.
260.6 – Jumpinoff Rock, at the end of a short woodland trail, offers a beautiful vista
261.0 – NC 16 CROSSOVER. 12 mi. west to Jefferson, 14 mi. to West Jefferson. 20 mi. east to North Wilkesboro.
264.4 – The Lump provides sweeping views of the forested foothills.
268.0 – PARK VISTA.
271.9 – CASCADE PARKING OVERLOOK. Alt. 3,750. Nature trail to cascades.
272 – E.B. Jeffress Park has a self-guiding trail to the Cascades. Another trail goes to the old cabin and church.
276.4 – DEEP GAP. US 421 CROSSOVER. 11 mi. west to Boone.
285.1 – Daniel Boone’s Trace, which Boone blazed to the West, crosses near here.
291.9 – US 221 CROSSOVER. Boone is 7 mi. north. Blowing Rock is 2 mi. south. US 321 & 221.
VALLEY CRUS IS, N.C. ALT. 3,000 (Meaning Valley of the Cross.) Estb. as Episcopal Mission in 1842.
BLOWING ROCK, N . C . ELEV. 4,000
292 – to 295 Moses H. Cone Memorial Park has hiking and horse trails. Flat Top Manor houses the parkway craft center, Fishing in 3,600 acres.
295.1 – to 298 Alt. 3,400. Julian Price Memorial Park, an insurance executive’s former retreat, offers a variety of short trails and a lake.
298.6 – JUNCTION PARKWAY & HOLLOWAY MOUNTAIN ROAD. Parkway south 8 mi via US 221.
304.4 – Linn Cove Viaduct, a design and engineering marvel, skirts the side of Grandfather Mountain. Visitor center and trails.
305.9 – JUNCTION PARKWAY & US 221. Linville is 3 mi. west.
LINVILLE, N.C. ALT. 3,669, A popular summer colony. The entrance to Grandfather Mountain. 3 miles to Parkway.
308.3 – Flat Rock Alt. 3,995. is well worth the walk for the superb view of Grandfather Mountain and Linville Valley.
312.0 NC 181 CROSSOVER. – Morganton is 32 mi. southeast. 2 mi. north to Pineola.
316.3 – Linville Falls roars through a dramatic, rugged gorge. Trails to overlooks.
317.4 US 221 CROSSOVER. – 3 mi. south is Linville Falls; 24 mi. to Marion, N.C.
320.7 – Chestoa View Unusually fine view from one of the many vertical cliffs on Humpback Mountain.
331 NC 226. CROSSOVER. – Spruce Pine is 6 mi. north. Marion is 14 mi. south.
331.0 – Museum of North Carolina Minerals interprets the state’s mineral wealth with interactive exhibits.
334.0 – NC 226-A to Little Switzerland.
339.5 – Crabtree Meadows Walk to Crabtree Falls. Campground.
344.0 – BUCK CREEK GAP, NC 80 CROSSOVER. 18 mi. north to Burnsville; 16 mi. south to Marion.
355.4 – Mount Mitchell State Park, reached via N.C. 128, has a picnic area, lookout tower, and the highest point east of the Mississippi River.
363.4 to 369.6 – Craggy Gardens seem to be covered with purple rhododendrons in mid-to late June. Craggy Pinnacle Trail and other trails (364.1 and 364.6); road to picnic area and trails (367.6).
377.4 – NC Rt. 694 to Asheville, 8 mi.
382 – The Folk Art Center offers sales and ex¬hibits of traditional and contemporary crafts of the Appalachian region. Interpretive programs, gallery, and library.
382.6 – JUNCTION PARKWAY & US 70. 1 mi. west to Oteen; 5 mi. to Asheville; 10 mi. east to Black Mountain.
384 – Destination Center offers a film, exhibits, and overview of the Blue Ridge National Heritage area and the parkway.
384.7 – US 74 CROSSOVER. 3 mi. west to Asheville. 17 mi. east to Chimney Rock and Lake Lure.
388.8 – US 25 CROSSOVER. 5 mi. north td Asheville; 17 mi. south to Hendersonville.
393.6 – NC 191 CROSSOVER. 6 mi. north to Asheville, 20 mi. south to Hendersonville.
408.6 – MOUNT PISGAH. Picnic area, campground, trails, restaurant, Inn, gas. Originally part of the Vanderbilt estate, the first forestry school in America was established on this estate. Being the first large tract of managed forest in this country, it became the nucleus of the Pisgah National Forest.
412.0 – WAGON ROAD GAP. US 276 CROSSOVER. 18 mi. south to Brevard; 8 mi. north to Cruso; 22 mi. to Waynesville.
417.0 – LOOKING GLASS ROCK. A large granite mountain.
418.8 – GRAVEYARD FIELD OVERLOOK. Walking trail loops to Yellowstone Falls.
422.4 – DEVIL’S COURTHOUSE PARKING AREA. 360 degree views await you at end of 40 minute walk to “Courthouse”.
423.2 – BEECH GAP. Cross-mountain road 24 mi. north to Waynesville, 17 mi.south to Rosman.
431 – Richland Balsam self-guiding trail takes you through a remnant spruce-fir forest. The highest point on the parkway, 6,074 feet.
WAYNESVILLE, N.C. The county seat of 546 miles of rugged mountain beauty.
443.1 – BALSAM GAP. US 19 By-Pass Crossover. 11 mi. east to Waynesville. 11 mi. west to Sylva.
451.2 – Waterrock Knob affords a panorama of the Great Smokies. 4 state view, loop trail, comfort station interpretive shelter, visitor center, exhibits.
455.0 – SOCCO GAP, US 19 CROSSOVER.
455.0 – Parkway to Mile High Overlook. At Black Camp Gap it joins Heintooga Ridge Rd. to G.S.M. National Park. Picnicking & camping at Heintooga Ridge.
458.2 – Heintooga Overlook spur road takes you to a mile-high overlook 1.3 miles from the parkway.
461.9 – BIG WITCH. Exhibit which tells about the early Cherokee eagle killers.
469 – Southern End of the Blue Ridge Parkway intersects U.S. 441 in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and the Cherokee Reservation.
