Hikes and Viewpoints
The Blue Ridge Parkway begins in Cherokee, North Carolina and runs 469 miles to Roanoke, Virgina. Skyline Drive is the scenic parkway that runs through the park for 100 miles from Roanoke to Front Royal Virginia. Since we have traveled much of the Blue Ridge Parkway close to us in North Carolina we will begin by driving up Interstate 81 to Intestate 66 to Front Royal, Virginia - 392 miles.
Shenandoah
Northern Section from Front Royal, Milepost 1, to Thornton Gap Entrance, Milepost 31 - from US Highway 211 in Luray, Virginia. We will stay in Front Royal the first 2 nights of the trip and at Luray the third night of the trip.
Southern Section From Swift Run Gap Entrance Station, Milepost 65.5 to end of the drive at Waynsboro, Milepost 105.
We will stay
Northern Section from Front Royal, Milepost 1, to Thornton Gap Entrance, Milepost 31 - from US Highway 211 in Luray, Virginia. We will stay in Front Royal the first 2 nights of the trip and at Luray the third night of the trip.
- Hikes
- Dickey Ridge Trail - begins at visitors center. You begin on the Fox Hollow Nature Trail and then do the Sneed Farm Trail. This hike seems to have parts that can be from very short to 5 miles.
- Lands Run Falls - Milepost 9.2 1.3 mile hike to a waterfall rated easy.
- Fort Wyndham Rocks Trail - Milepost 10.4 Compton Gap Parking Area It intersects with the Dickey Ridge Trail and goes along part of the AT.
- Viewpoints and Other Stops
- Signal Knob overlook - Milepost 5.5: A good sunset location with a wide view of the valley with the Shenandoah River running through the scene.
- Browntown Valley Overlook - Milepost 15: Nice foreground trees and a nice sunset location with a slightly narrower field of view.
- Range View Overlook - Milepost 17: Excellent sunrise location with a wide view of the valley
- Gimlet Ridge Overlook - Milepost 18.5: Excellent foreground with large boluders. Best sunset location in northern part of the park.
- Mount Marshall Overlook - Milepost 19 - Large mountains to the north and ridgelines in the south Good sunrise location.
- Little Devils Stairs Overlook - Milepost 20: Dead Tree here with a wall makes for great foreground. Good sunrise location.
- Hogback Mountain Overlook - Milepost 20.7: This is the longest and most popular overlook in the park. You can see the Shenandoah River below. This is a good sunset location.
- Elkwallow Picnic Grounds and Wayside - Milepost 24: This would be a good place for a picnic or rest stop. There is a small store and a takeout small menu
- Thornton Hollow Overlook - Milepost 27.5: Nice Rockwell and tree for foreground. Good sunrise spot.
- Pass Mountain Overlook - Milepost 30: Good for sunset with stacked mountain ranges with a fence for good foreground element.
- Hikes
- Whiteout Canyon Trail - this information for this one is a little confusing. There is a way to start from Skyline drive and go down and then there is another way to start from a parking lot at the bottom of the trail that is on highway 600. Apparently the trail from Skyline drive down is more strenuous and the other one is considered easy- Here are links to information about the 2 trails: Upper Falls and Lower Falls - The parking lot on Skyline is at Milepost 42.6.
- Mary's Rock - This one would be more challenging as it is rated moderate. It is a 2.6 mile out and back trail to the rock outcrop above the tunnel. Park at Meadow Spring parking area. Trailhead at milepost 31.6
- Stony Man Trail -There is the Stony Man overlook at milepost 38.5. The trailhead is at milepost 41.7
- Miller's Head - leaves from the Skyland amphitheater to a lookout at the place of an old fire tower, easy loop. I think we might have done this one when we were here in 2019.
- Limberlost - Milepost 42.5 an easy handicap accessible hike through the woods.
- Hawksbill Summit via Upper Hawksbill - Milepost 45.6. This is the highest mountain in the park. This is the easiest but the longest at 2.1 miles. There seem to be 3 trails to the summit, one is shorter but more elevation, there is also a Loop trail which is longer. Will need to check with a ranger about which one is best.
- Rose River Falls, 2.4 miles and Dark Hollow Falls, 1.4 miles out and back. You can go to each of these separately and return - both begin downhill or you can make a loop out of them. There is a parking lot for Dark Hallow Falls - we did this one on our last trip. To make the loop you can park at Fishers Gap, Milepost 49.5, Dark Hollow Falls is at Milepost 50.7.
- Lewis Falls Trail - The trail leaves from the amphitheater at Big Meadows campground. It is a 3 mile loop to a viewpoint of the 80 foot waterfall. It also crosses the AT. It is a moderate hike with a steep descent.
- Bearfence Viewpoint - Milepost 56.4 - There is a harder hike to a viewpoint that requires a rock scramble. This trail is an easy 1.1 mile trail to the viewpoint without the rock scramble.
- South River Falls - This hike leads from the South Rivers Picnic area at Milepost 62.8. This hike is 3.3 miles loop trail to an 83 foot waterfall. This is an observation point and then you can continue on the AT to complete the loop. It is rated moderate. There is one stream crossing but it doesn't say if this is before or after the observation point. The hike is downhill first and uphill on the way back.
- Viewpoints
- Tunnel Parking Overlook - Milepost 32: this is at the park's only tunnel. It is a large parking lot, great for sunrise. Go to the extreme southern end and cross the road to a grassy area and shoot north for an unusual view.
- Buck Hollow Overlook - Milepost 32.8: Another good sunrise with a tree and stonewall for foreground
- Hazel Mountain Overlook - Milepost 33: Very popular. It is a good spot for Milky Way. Also good for sunrise.
- Pinnacles Overlook - Milepost 35: Nice sweeping vistas for sunrise and good morning light in the fall. Also good for Milky Way but limited foreground.
- Pinnacles Picnic Grounds - Milepost 36.7: Not much views but a good place for a picnic.
- Skyland - Milepost 42: There are 2 entrances to this part of the park. Here is a lodge and restaurant. This is the highest point on Skyline drive.
- Timber Hollow - Milepost 43: Good for sunset with ridge lines but also good early morning in the fall when the sun rises to illuminate fall colors.
- Crescent Rock - Milepost 44 - Lots of opportunities for images, especially in the fall. Betty's Rock trail used to leave from here but apparently it is closed for habitat rehabilitation according to AllTrails
- Old Rag Overlook - Milepost 46.5. This is a good sunrise location with a large field stretching out from the parking area.
- Spittler Knows - Milepost 48: Wide field of view with numerous ridge lines. Good for sunsets. Shoot south to place trees in the foreground.
- Franklin Cliffs - Milepost 49: Good sunset and also in the fall mid morning(9-10) the sun shines to light up the fall foliage.
- Big Meadow - Milepost 51: We will stay in the lodge here. We will be here during new moon so hopefully there will be some good Milky Way opportunities.
- Naked Creek Overlook - Milepost 53: A large open field with a treelined good for sunset images.
- The Point Overlook - Milepost 55.5: Great for sunsets but look for the path at the center of the overlook down to a group of rocks makes a nice shooting location.
- Lewis Mountain - There is a campground here, some cabins, and a store.
Southern Section From Swift Run Gap Entrance Station, Milepost 65.5 to end of the drive at Waynsboro, Milepost 105.
We will stay
- Hikes
- Frazier Discovery Trail and Loft Mountain Loop Trail - Milepost 79.5: The Frazier Discovery trail is an easy hike with interpretive signs. From this you can extend to views from the Loft Mountain Loop Trail. These could be the same trail with different names from different sources. Good views
- Doyles River Falls - Milepost 81.1: 3.3 mile total to 2 waterfalls with possible stream crossing.
- Blackrock Summit - Milepost 84.4: From the wayside parking it is an easy short 1 mile loop trail to a rock crop overlook.
- Viewpoints
- Loft Mountain Overlook - Milepost 74.5: Wide view with a good sunrise location with a large tree in the foreground.
- Brown Mountain Overlook - Milepost 77: Best overlook in the southern end of the park. This a large parking area with many options for views, especially at sunset.
- Ivy Creek Overlook - Milepost 77.5: Trees for nice foreground element. Good for sunrise.
- Rockytop Mountain Overlook - Milepost 78: Ok for sunset but no foreground. The ridge lines are close.
- Loft Mountain Information Center and Campground - Milepost 80. There is a gift store and restaurant here. A nice place for a break
- Doyles River Overlook - Milepost 82: Faces due south and a good location for fall foliage. It could be a good place for sunrise - also I wonder since it faces south it would also be good for Milky Way.
- Trayfoot Mountain Overlook - Milepost 87: Lone tree for a foreground makes this a good sunrise location.
- Mooremans River Overlook - Milepost 93: From here you can see a large lake at the end of the valley. Good for sunrise with fall color reflecting in the lake. This might also be called the Crimora Lake Overlook at Milepost 92.6 from another source.
- Sawmill Ridge Overlook - Milepost 95.5: Good sunset location with tree for foreground. Can see multiple ridge lines.
Blue Ridge Parkway
Northern Section - From Rockfish Gap, Milepost 1 to Milepost 106 - Ridge Region
Plateau Region - From Roanoke Region at Milepost 106 - Milepost 217 at the Virginia/North Carolina State Line
There are several entrances to the parkway in the Roanoke area. This is a good place to find gas and food. There are also greenways in the city of Roanoke. After Roanoke the area flattens out and there are more farms and valleys.
Highlands Region - From VA/NC border at milepost 217 to Crabtree Falls at milepost 340.
Northern Section - From Rockfish Gap, Milepost 1 to Milepost 106 - Ridge Region
- From the Cider House Bed and Breakfast in Waynesboro to Peaks of Otter it is 120 miles on the Blue Ridge Parkway, 3 hours and 18 minutes without stops. Since we have 4 nights at Cider House we could easily do some of these that are close to Waynesboro before we leave and head to Peaks of Otter Lodge, (milepost 86) where we have 2 nights.
- Humpback Rocks is the first visitors center. Here there is a short Mountain Farm trail and also trails to Humpback Mountain. The shortest trail is 1.7 miles out and back - short but very steep.
- Catoctin Loop Trail - short 0.3 mile trail to an overlook of the Shenandoah Valley and the western horizon. It begins at the farthest point at the Humpback Rocks picnic area. This might be good for sunset. It is at milepost 8.5
- Greenstone Self-Guiding Trail - Greenstone Overlook, Milepost 8.8: A shore 0.2 mile loop with lots of information explaining the volcanic origins of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
- Three Ridges Overlook - Milepost13.1: eastward view of the Three Ridges mountains
- Wintergreen Resort - Milepost 13.7: This is a resort that has lots of miles of hiking trails open to the public, even if you are not staying at the resort. These might be hard to find and a good distance from the parkway
- Brimstone Trail: 0.8 mile one way is rocky and steep but has nice sunset views
- Upper Shamokin Falls Trail: 0.4 one way - described as one of the resorts best trails.
- Shamokin Springs Nature Preserve: 0.3 mile loop - one of the most diverse plots in the resort.
- Priest Parking Overlook - Milepost 17.6: There is an easy 0.2 mile trail with views of Friar, Cardinal, and Little Priest Mountains.
- White Rock Falls Trail - Milepost 20(The Slacks Overlook): Have conflicting information on this one. I think it is because there is a longer loop trail. The park website calls this a 0.9 mile hike but All Trails calls it a 2.5 mile hike. I did find it in my book, "Waterfalls of the Blue Ridge" number 14. There is an overlook at 0.5 mile and then a spur to White Rock Falls at 0.9 mile. Then you return which makes it a 1.8 mile total hike - which matches the website.
- Big Spy Overlook - Milepost 26.4: O.1 mile to trail with view into the Shenandoah Valley - Good for sky watching
- Crabtree Falls - Milepost 27.2: There is a short trail to several viewing platforms from 0.4 miles to the base of the falls at 1.5 miles. The trail continues after this to the top of the falls. This one is rated not to be missed.
- Yankee Horse Ridge - Milepost 34.4: Short 0.2 mile loop trail in a hemlock forest that leads to Wigwam Falls. (number 18 in "Waterfalls of the Blue Ridge" book.
- Otter Creek and James River Area - Milepost 60-63: The James River Visitors Center is here. This is the lowest point on the parkway. There are several trails here that all are fairly easy. Otter Lake Loop Trail, Trail of Trails, Canal Lock Trail - descriptions here: https://www.nps.gov/blri/planyourvisit/otter-creek-james-river-trails.htm
- Terrapin Hill Overlook and VA 130 - Milepost 61.4) This is an access point to Glasgow, VA and the Natural Bridge 15 miles away and Lynchburg 22 miles away)
- We will leave the parkway here and stay one night in the Natural Bridge Historic Hotel - it is next to the grounds of National Bridge State Park.
- After visiting the state park we can go back to the parkway and do any of the Otter Creek and James River area trails that we didn't get to previously.
- Thunder Ridge Overlook and Trail - Milepost 74.4: The AT crosses here. This is a short loop trail with great views of the Arnold Valley. (I remember stopping here in 2019 and got great foggy forest images but no view). Also from this overlook is the Hunting Creek Trail. It is a long out and back trail but nice views at the beginning - would not have to go the whole 2.5 miles one way or 4.8 miles total.
- Sunset Field Overlook - Milepost 78.4: The trail to Apple Orchard Falls leaves from here. It is a steep downhill so coming back up makes this challenging. Out and back trail for 2.6 miles total.
- Onion Mountain Overlook - Milepost 79.7: Short loop trail through a rhododendron thicket.
- Peaks Of Otter Trails - Mileposts 83-87: There are several trails here close to the lodge and visitors center. There is also a bus to the top of Sharp Top mountain, one of the 3 mountains that make up Peaks of Otter. See information about these trails here: https://www.nps.gov/blri/planyourvisit/peaks-otter-trails.htm
- We will stay 2 nights at the Peaks of Otter Lodge.
- Sharp Top Mountain Overlook - Milepost 92.5: Good view of Sharp Top Mountain here.
Plateau Region - From Roanoke Region at Milepost 106 - Milepost 217 at the Virginia/North Carolina State Line
There are several entrances to the parkway in the Roanoke area. This is a good place to find gas and food. There are also greenways in the city of Roanoke. After Roanoke the area flattens out and there are more farms and valleys.
- Roanoke Area from Milepost 106-121
- Stewards Know Overlook - Milepost 110: Has a view of the city of Roanoke. There is a short trail here 1.2 miles rated as easy.
- Roanoke River Trail - Milepost114.9: easy short trail with views of the Roanoke River
- Visitors Explore Center - Milepost 115: This is a whole area with information and trails
- Roanoke Mountain Loop Rood and Roanoke Mountain Picnic area - Milepost 120: The loop road will take you up the mountain where the Chestnut Ridge Trail and Roanoke Mountain Trail cross or begin. The loop road is closed to vehicles but may be walkable, but the Mill Mountain Spur Road is open. Will need to check on this at the Visistors Center
- Buck Mountain Trail - Milepost 123: Short trail up the side of a mountain. Views are good in fall.
- Devil's Backbone Parking Area - Milepost 143.9: This overlook offers great eastern views towards the Piedmont area of Virginia and North Carolina.
- Pine Spur Overlook - Milepost 144.8: The white pine tree that is on the parkway emblem is at this overlook.
- Smart View Picnic Area - Milepost 154: There is a picnic area here and also a 3 mile loop trail that goes around the picnic area.
- Rocky Knob Area - Milepost 170: There is a visitors center here. There are overlooks of Rock Castle Gorge. There is also a campground and picnic area. Map of the area with trail. We will spend one night at Tuggle's Gap at milepost 170.
- Round Meadow Creek Trail - Milepost 179.2: This is an easy 0.4 mile loop trail that goes down to a creek. You go under the parkway via a bridge that is on both sides of the highway.
- Groundhog Mountain Picnic Area Observation Tower - Milepost 188.8: This is a very short trail to an observation tower with a view of Pilot mountain.
- Pucket Cabin Walk - Milepost 189.9: Short walk to a cabin
- Blue Ridge Music Center - Milepost 213: We began our trek on the Blue Ridge in 2019 from this point. The High Meadow Trail, 2.8 miles out and back, leaves from here - we may not want to hike all of this - the trail breaks into the meadow at 0.5 mile. This would be a nice hike if there are blue skies and white fluffy clouds. It is ranked a moderately easy hike.
- VA/NC state line - Milepost 217: This is where we will have to exit the parkway due to the major construction project that will close a major part of the parkway (the only part we have not driven) from milepost 229 - 267. It may be possible to visit the Doughton Park area and visitors center. Since we can't spend time in this area of the parkway we decided to exit here to Sparta to take the detour and then return to the parkway at Deep Gap, Milepost 280.
Highlands Region - From VA/NC border at milepost 217 to Crabtree Falls at milepost 340.
- Depending on the road closures at the time we visit and also time of day we may be able to do a few of these things from Milepost 213 to Milepost 280 where we return to the parkway. Since we can't drive this 50 mile part of the parkway we decided to jump ahead for our last 2 nights on the parkway to Big Lynn Lodge in Little Switzerland, NC. We stayed here on our 2016 trip and loved this old fashioned motel that serves a summer and breakfast each day. We will need to be here by 6:30. The drive from our motel in Tuggle's Gap with the parkway detour to Big Lynn Lodge is 169 miles (4 hours) without stops. So we will have to watch our time.
- Blue Ridge Music Center - Milepost 213: We began our 2019 trip on the Blue Ridge here. The High Meadow Trail leaves from here it is a 2.8 mile out and back trail so we won't have time to do the whole trail. At 0.6 miles the trail opens up into a meadow with beautiful open space.
- Cumberland Knob Recreation Area - Milepost 217. There is a short trail 0.6 mile from the picnic area to a shelter on top of the knob.
- Fox Hunter's Paradise Trail - Milepost 218: This is a paved 0.2 mile trail to a grand overview of the valley below.
- Little Glad Mill Pond Overlook - Milepost 230: There is a short 0.2 mile circuit trail of the pond. This is the last overlook before the parkway closure with an exit to Sparta, NC where we will take US 21 to Deep Gap, Milepost 280.