Blue Ridge Parkway Active and Adventure Travel Guide
- Blue Ridge Parkway Overview
- Blue Ridge Parkway Hotels
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Blue Ridge Parkway Attractions
(Submit Attraction) - Blue Ridge Parkway Travel Advice
- Blue Ridge Parkway Airports
- Blue Ridge Parkway Flights
- Blue Ridge Parkway Vacation Rentals
Active and Adventure Destinations Near Blue Ridge Parkway
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Shenandoah National Park,VA
(39 mi.) -
Slatyfork,WV
(74 mi.) -
Davis,WV
(83 mi.) -
Fayetteville,WV
(122 mi.) -
Ohiopyle State Park,PA
(129 mi.)
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Blue Ridge Parkway (courtesy, National Park Service)
Blue Ridge Parkway Active and Adventure Travel Tips
- Drive some or all of the 469-mile Blue Ridge Parkway in autumn for a brilliant foliage show. Springtime is another great time to catch nature on the cusp, as blooming wildflowers, dogwoods, and azaleas herald the arrival of the growing season. Be warned, however, that traffic on the parkway can slow to a crawl during peak seasons, so it's best to go on a weekday.
- Trade four wheels for two and bike the Parkway. Near Troutville, Va., the 63-mile Peaks of Otter Challenge is a fairly demanding loop for experienced cyclists. It rolls through picturesque Allegheny farmland before rising sharply to ascend the Blue Ridge at Bearwallow Gap. Stay overnight at milepost 86, near Bedford, Va., where the Peaks of Otter Lodge overlooks Abbott Lake and 3,865-foot Sharp Top Mountain. The next day, take an exhilarating downhill roll home.
- Hike the 13.5-mile Tanawha Trail from Linn Cove Viaduct at milepost 304.6. Here the trail passes beneath the Linn Cove Viaduct before climbing sharply toward Rough Ridge through birch and beech trees. The payoff is a spectacular view of the Piedmont Valley and surrounding mountaintops. Trail runners will also enjoy the route's heart-quickening grade.
- Get a different perspective of the Parkway from a mile up on a hot-air balloon ride. Several balloon outfitters operate out of Asheville, N.C., a great basecamp town for exploring the southern end of the Appalachian chain.
- Stop to hike section three of the Art Loeb Trail in North Carolina's Pisgah National Forest, where you'll be among the highest 6,000-foot summits and balds of the Great Smoky Mountains, including Black Balsam and Tennant Mountains. The trailhead is about a mile from the Blue Ridge Parkway, down Forest Service Road 816.
Get Advice About Blue Ridge Parkway
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Do you have a travel question about this destination or can you provide a tip to a fellow traveler? Join the discussion in our Travel Q&A.
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I need directions from Hanahan,SC to Knoxville Traveling the Blue Ridg
Asked on October 19, 2011 by jeanandfrank -
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My husband and I are planning a trip through the Blue Rige Parkway this fall. At times...
Asked on January 17, 2011 by an anonymous user - See all questions and answers about Blue Ridge Parkway »
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Hotels
from:
$289
Keswick Hall at Monticello - Hotel
Editor Rated & Recommended
Clifton Inn - Hotel
1296 CLIFTON INN DRIVE
CHARLOTTESVILLE22911
Distance: 25.2 mi.
(from destination center)
Hotel Class:
CHARLOTTESVILLE22911
Distance: 25.2 mi.
(from destination center)
Hotel Class:
Editor Rated & Recommended
from:
$160
Boars Head Inn - Hotel
Editor Rated & Recommended
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Attractions
Rocky Knob & Mabry Mill
Blue Ridge Parkway (milepost 167-176.1)
Distance: 123.0 mi. (from destination center)
Description: Rocky Knob offers many opportunities for visitors including hiking, camping, picnicking, and a... Read More
Distance: 123.0 mi. (from destination center)
Description: Rocky Knob offers many opportunities for visitors including hiking, camping, picnicking, and a... Read More
Editor Rated & Recommended
Peaks of Otter
Blue Ridge Parkway (milepost 84-87)
West of Bedford, Virginia
Distance: 59.5 mi. (from destination center)
Description: Peaks of Otter has been a popular location to see spectacular views and sunrises since the days of... Read More
West of Bedford, Virginia
Distance: 59.5 mi. (from destination center)
Description: Peaks of Otter has been a popular location to see spectacular views and sunrises since the days of... Read More
Editor Rated & Recommended
Hog Rock-Blue Ridge Summit Loop
Catoctin Mountain Park
66602 Foxville Road
Thurmont, Maryland 21788-1598
Distance: 134.8 mi. (from destination center)
Description: This is a five-mile loop from the park's main visitor's center that takes in the panoramic views... Read More
66602 Foxville Road
Thurmont, Maryland 21788-1598
Distance: 134.8 mi. (from destination center)
Description: This is a five-mile loop from the park's main visitor's center that takes in the panoramic views... Read More
Editor Rated & Recommended
Airports
Major Airports near Blue Ridge Parkway
| Distance (mi.) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Richmond International Airport/Byrd Field | 92.0map | |
| Washington Dulles International Airport | 99.2map | |
| Washington Ronald Reagan National Airport | 113.9map |
Other Smaller Airports near Blue Ridge Parkway
| Distance (mi.) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Staunton Shenandoah Valley Airport | 16.4map | |
| Charlottesville Albemarle Airport | 23.3map | |
| Lynchburg Preston-Glenn Field | 51.8map |
Blue Ridge Parkway Active and Adventure Advice
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Top Ten National Park Bird-Watching Sites
Where to go to make your life list grow. Gorp Top Ten -
Top Ten Hikes with Dogs
Our favorite dog-friendly hiking trails will inspire you to get outside with your best furry-faced pal. Gorp Top Ten -
Top Ten Bike Tours for Foodies
What better way to sample the culinary delights of a region than by pedaling along its backroads, enjoying the scenery and working up an appetite for the next meal. Away Top Ten -
Top Ten Family-Friendly Summit Hikes
Hiking is a great family pastime, to be sure, but the concept of "peak bagging" adds an exciting twist to these family strolls. Away Top Ten -
Top Ten Unique National Park Lodges
Rocky Knob Cabins, Blue Ridge Parkway, Virginia. Gorp Top Ten -
Top Ten National Parks for Fall Foliage
Great destinations for traveling leaf-peepers. Gorp Top Ten -
Top Ten Wildflower-Viewing Spots
North Carolina. Gorp Top Ten -
Appalachian Trail
Follow the foot trail that runs from the North Woods of Maine to Atlanta, Georgia. Gorp Travel -
North Carolina Mountains Outdoors
Backyard for Big Kids. Gorp Travel -
Weekend Backpacker: Washington, D.C.
Blue Ridge Parkway. Gorp Travel -
Wonderful Waterfalls
of the Blue Ridge and Smoky Mountains. Gorp Travel -
Driving the Blue Ridge Parkway
High Mountain Wilderness Views in North Carolina - French Broad River to Mount Pisgah Picnic Area. Gorp Travel -
Top Ten Scenic Drives in the United States
East: Shenandoah to the Smokies: Blue Ridge Parkway, Virginia and North Carolina. Gorp Top Ten -
Blue Ridge Parkway Map
Skyline Drive to Mile 10+. Gorp Travel -
National Scenic Byways and Other Recreational Drives
North Carolina. Gorp Travel -
All-American Roads - U.S. Scenic Drives
Gorp Travel -
Easy Riding: The Ultimate Motorcycle Tours
North Carolina: The Blue Ridge Parkway. Gorp Travel - + Show more Blue Ridge Parkway Active and Adventure Advice
Blue Ridge Parkway Vacation Rentals
from:
Vacation Home near Rafting
Bedrooms: 2
Bathrooms: 2
Sleeps: 8
Bathrooms: 2
Sleeps: 8
Amenities: DVD Player, Fire Pit, Patio, Stereo, TV
from:
Vacation Home near Rafting with Mountain View, Hot Tub and Wi-Fi
Bedrooms: 2
Bathrooms: 2
Sleeps: 8
Bathrooms: 2
Sleeps: 8
Amenities: Dishes, Dishwasher, Foosball Table, Hot Tub, Linens, Mountain View, TV, Towels, Wireless Internet Access
from:
Vacation Home near Hiking with Hot Tub
Bedrooms: 4
Bathrooms: 3
Sleeps: 8
Bathrooms: 3
Sleeps: 8
Amenities: Carport, Fireplace, Hot Tub, No Pets, Swimming Pool
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