Itinerary
Here I will post ideas for each day of our trip - weather will play a big part of what we actually can do.
Thursday, October 12 (northern section of the park)
We will leave Big Meadows on this day and begin our travel south to the Rockfish Gap entrance in Waynsboro, VA where we will stay at the Cider House Bed and Breakfast for 4 nights. This will allow us to explore both the southern end of Shenandoah and the northern part of the Blue Ridge Parkway.
Sunrise
This marks the end of Skyline Drive and the Shenandoah National Park and the beginning of the Blue Ridge Parkway. My information about sunrise and sunsets is not as detailed for the BRP as it is for Skyline Drive.
Skyline Drive ends at Rockfish Gap entrance at MP 105. It is an 17-18 minute drive to Cider House. Also in Waynesboro is a Walmart and a Target and several other grocery stores as well as many types of restaurants.
Thursday October 19
Sunrise
We will be at Cider House B&B for 4 nights so we will have 3 full days to explore the southern end of the Shenandoah National Park an the Ridge Region (northern section) of the Blue Ridge Parkway.
Friday October 20 and Saturday October 21
These are the 2 days that we have while staying at the Cider House in Waynesboro so we can choose from any of these depending on the weather.
Sunday October 22
We will leave Cider House B&B and stay at our next stop at Natural Bridge Historic Inn. There are hikes to do at Natural Bridge State Park which we can do the afternoon of October 22 or on the way to Peaks of Otter where we will stay on October 23 and 24.
Monday October 23
I left this day out when originally planning our trip and I did not realize it until the trip. We had just arrived early at Peaks of Otter and took the Sharp Top Mountain Shuttle and hike before just checking into the hotel and then going to Bedford, VA for supper.
Tuesday October 24
A good place for sunrise will be on the western side of Abbott Lake, right at the lodge. Since the trail goes all the way around the lake it is also a good place for sunset. There is a visitors center and a bus service to the top of Flat Top mountain.
There are several hiking trails in this area:
Wednesday October 25
We will leave Peaks of Otter and travel to Tuggles Gap at MP160. On the way we will go through Roanoke, the most populated city on the parkway. There are several things to see here:
Thursday October 26
This will be a longest mile day of the trip. Our last place to stay will be one of our favorite places, Big Lynn Lodge in Little Switzerland at MP340. From this entrance to the park the elevation is lower with more access points. Due to road closures much of the part of the parkway that we have never visited will be inaccessible so we will be able to travel much faster than if we were on the parkway the whole distance. Some of the most well known landmarks on the parkway are very close to Tuggles Gap.
Friday October 27
Since we are staying at Big Lynn for 2 nights we will have this day to see places within 30 miles north and 30 miles south of Big Lynn. We could go back north and see the Linville Gorge Area. Places to see to the south of Big Lynn Lodge:
Saturday October 28
We will head home this day. There are several options. One would be to follow the parkway on to Asheville and then to either I-40 or go through Hot Springs. The other option would be to go back to Linville Gorge and exit the parkway to Roan Mountain State Park and come home via I-81.
- This will be a driving day, mostly on I81 until the last 10 or so miles in I66. It is about a 400 mile 6 hour drive without stops from our house to the first place where we will stay: Woodward House at Manor Grade, in Front Royal, Virginia.
- After checking in, depending on time we could catch a sunset at Signal Knob Overlook, MP5.5 or Browntown Valley Overlook, MP 15
- Depending on what time of day we arrive in Front Royal we may not be able to visit the Dicky Ridge Visitors Center. If not then it would be good to do it this day to get good information about the hikes, get a pass (we have the America the Beautiful Pass but it would be good to see if there is a hang tag pass to avoid entry lines), and updated maps and park news. Breakfast is served at our hotel from 7:30 - 9:00 so we will need to drive back if we are going to get breakfast.
- This will be our day to do most of the hiking in the northern section of the park. See Hikes and Viewpoints page to links to the hike.
- Sunrise - Locations
- Range Valley Overlook, MP17 is a good sunrise location that is closest to our hotel. We might want to save this one for Saturday and visit other sunrise locations further south -
- Mount Marshall Overlook, MP 19 - Large mountains to the north and ridgelines in the south
- Little Devils Stairs Overlook, MP 20 Dead Tree here with a wall makes for great foreground.
- Hogback Mountain Overlook, MP 20.7: This is the longest and most popular overlook in the park. You can see the Shenandoah River below.
- Elkwallow Waypoint, MP 24 has a picnic area, store, an take out menu
- Gimlet Ridge, MP18.5 is the best sunset location in the northern section of the park.
- We will return to out hotel in Front Royal.
- We will check out of our hotel this morning. We can do any hikes we did not get to the previous day. We will end the day at the Cardinal Inn in Luray, Virginia at the Thornton Gap Entrance. MP 31.5
- Sunrise
- Since we will need to be back and check out of our hotel the closer location of Range Valley Overlook, MP 17 or Mount Marshall Overlook MP 19 would be close enough to let us get back to the hotel.
- As we make our way south again back over Skyline Drive we can begin to explore the Central section of the park. Possible hikes close to Thornton Gap entrance are White Oak Canyon Trail (information on this one is confusing so will need to check on this at rangers station) and Mary's Rock at MP31.7
- Another option that could work, especially if the weather is bad - visit Luray Caverns which is close to town of Luray where we will be staying the night. Price is $29 for seniors.
- Pass Mountain Overlook, MP 30 is a good sunset location.
- Hazel Mountain Overlook, MP 33 is also a good place to see the Milky Way
- Sunrise
- Thornton Hollow Overlook, MP 27.5 is a good location for a sunrise and would be close to our hotel, 20 minute drive.
- Tunnel Parking Overlook, MP is at the park's only tunnel. Go to the extreme southern end and cross the road to a grassy area and shoot north for an unusual view.
- Buck Hollow Overlook, MP 32.8
- Hazel Mountain Overlook, MP33:
- Pinnacles Overlook, MP35: Nice s weeping vistas for sunrise and good morning light in the fall.
- There are several trails and hikes between the Thornton Gap Entrance and Big Meadow. Since we will be at Big Meadow, MP 50 for 3 nights we will have 2 full days to explore this part of the park. See full information about each hike on the Hikes and Viewpoints page. The hikes listed below are between Thornton Gap and Big Meadow.
- Stony Man Trail MP 38.5
- Miller's Head - leaves from the Skyland amphitheater
- Limberlost - MP 42.5
- Hawksbill Summit via Upper Hawksbill - MP 45.6.
- Rose River Falls, 2.4 miles and Dark Hollow Falls, MP 49.5
- We will end the day at Big Meadow Lodge
- Night photography places - at the Big Meadow entrance parking lot and Hazel Mountain Overlook, MP 33
- Sunrise
- Old Rag Overlook - MP 46.5.
- Franklin Cliffs - Milepost 49 - good for early morning golden light
- Trails and Hikes between Big Meadow and the Swift Run Gap MP 65.5 entrance
- Lewis Falls Trail - The trail leaves from the amphitheater at Big Meadows campground.
- Bearfence Viewpoint - Milepost 56.4 -
- South River Falls - This hike leads from the South Rivers Picnic area at Milepost 62.8.
- Sunset
- Timber Hollow Overlook, MP 43
- Spittler Knows - MP 48: Wide field of view with numerous ridge lines. Good for sunsets. Shoot south to place trees in the foreground.
- Franklin Cliffs - Milepost 49
- Naked Creek Overlook - MP 53:
- The Point Overlook - MP 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.
- I remember from last visit that there is a very short walk to an overlook for sunset. I don't think this is a named trail as it is almost within sight of the lodge and cabins at Big Meadow.
- Since this will be our second day at Big Meadows we can go back to any of the trails and viewpoints listed above that we did not see on Monday.
- There is a camp store and picnic area at Lewis Moutain, MP 57.5
- Also depending on weather and if we visited Luray Caverns, Grand Caverns is another operating show cave with guided tours. It does require a reservation. It is closer to the Swift Run Gap entrance.
- Do any of the sunset locations from yesterday that we did not visit.
We will leave Big Meadows on this day and begin our travel south to the Rockfish Gap entrance in Waynsboro, VA where we will stay at the Cider House Bed and Breakfast for 4 nights. This will allow us to explore both the southern end of Shenandoah and the northern part of the Blue Ridge Parkway.
Sunrise
- Loft Mountain Overlook MP74.5 - This overlook is 25 miles from the lodge. We may want to go to some of the locations listed for Tuesday Since this is the day we check out of Big Meadows and we may not walk to back track or leave the lodge that early.
- Loft Mountain Wayside, MP80. This is about halfway between Big Meadows and the Rockfish Gap entrance. There are several hikes in this area. This would also be a good place for lunch since there is a store and a picnic area.
- Frazier Discovery Trail and Loft Mountain Loop Trail - MP 79.5
- Doyles River Falls MP81.1 3.3 mile total to 2 waterfalls with possible stream crossing.
- Doyles River Overlook MP 82 - Looks directly south so this could be a good place for Milky Way
- Blackrock Summit MP 84.4: From the wayside parking it is an easy short 1 mile loop trail to a rock crop overlook.
- Trayfoot Mountain Overlook MP 87
- Sawmill Ridge Overlook MP 95.5:
This marks the end of Skyline Drive and the Shenandoah National Park and the beginning of the Blue Ridge Parkway. My information about sunrise and sunsets is not as detailed for the BRP as it is for Skyline Drive.
Skyline Drive ends at Rockfish Gap entrance at MP 105. It is an 17-18 minute drive to Cider House. Also in Waynesboro is a Walmart and a Target and several other grocery stores as well as many types of restaurants.
Thursday October 19
Sunrise
We will be at Cider House B&B for 4 nights so we will have 3 full days to explore the southern end of the Shenandoah National Park an the Ridge Region (northern section) of the Blue Ridge Parkway.
- Our Bed and Breakfast is on a farm so there could be multiple opportunities for sunrise here.
- 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.
- We could go back and do any of the hikes that we didn't do in the Loft Mountain area in the Shenandoah National Park.
Friday October 20 and Saturday October 21
These are the 2 days that we have while staying at the Cider House in Waynesboro so we can choose from any of these depending on the weather.
- Afton Overlook MP 1 - it is 0.2 miles from the beginning of the parkway.
- Humpback Rocks Visitors Center MP 5.8 In addition to the usual things at a visitors center there are 2 trails here. One is a short one through a re-created mountain homestead and farm. The more challenging and famous one is the Humpback Rocks trail. This is considered moderate to strenuous. It is 2 miles out and back. There are places to stop along the way that will have good views even if we don't go to the point. It will travel through a meadow and and 0.5 miles begins a series of switchbacks to the Humpback rocks. They trail will continue on from here but this would be a good stopping place.
- The Catoctin Trail - is at the end of the Humpback Rock picnic area. It is only 0.4 mile trail out and back. It may not have a trail marker but it begins right of the blue-blazed trail to the AT. This gives you a view to the west so maybe good for sunset.
- Greenstone Self Guiding Trail MP7. This is a short circuit trail through a hardwood forest.
- Ravens Roost Overlook MP10.7. I have information from 2 different sources - one says this is a good sunrise spot and the other says it is a good sunset spot.
- Wintergreen Resort MP 13.7. This area is technically not on the parkway but there are many trails here open to the public without having to stay at the resource.
- Sherando Lake also at MP13.7 - You will take VA664 to Sherando Lake Recreation Area. It is a USF area about 5 miles off the parkway. There are several trails here. The Lakeside Trail goes around the lake and is only 1 mile long.
- Priest Overlook MP17.6. Has a short trail to 600 foot trail to an overlook of Torrey Ridge
- White Rock Falls Trail - can be reached from 2 pullouts at MP 18.5 and 20. The distance is shorter from MP20 - the Slacks Overlook. There is also just an overlook trail at this milepost.
- Big Spy Mountain Overlook Trail MP 26.3. There is a 360 degree view here so it is good for sunrise, sunset, and star gazing.
- Crabtree Falls MP27.2. This is considered to be the highest falls in Virginia. You will need to exit the parkway and head east on VA56 for 6.6 miles. This is a steep trail if you go the whole way to the top of the falls. However you can begin and there are several overlooks. It is a 2.5 mile out and back trail if you do the whole thing. It does have some steep ascents but there are nice switchback.
- Yankee Horse Overlook Trail MP34.4. There is a very short 0.2 mile loop trail here but you can also hike up a hilly to see Wigwam Falls and 30 ft. waterfall.
- Boston Knob Trail MP 38.8 - easy leg stretcher trail with lots of dogwoods - will have good leaf color in the fall.
- Indian Gap Trail MP47.5 - another short 0.2 mile trail with interesting rock formations.
- White Oak Flats Trail MP 55.1 - another short loop trail by a creek.
- Otter Creek MP60.8 - There are several points of interest here. This is getting close to where we will exit for Natural Bridge at MP63.7 US-501 so we may want to do some of these on our way out on Sunday. The Otter Creek Trail goes by and crosses the parkway at several overlooks so you don't have to go the whole 3.4 miles one way. The Otter Lake Loop trail is a short 1 mile loop around the lake. It starts at the dam at MP63.1. It intersects with the Otter Creek Trail.
- There is the trail that begins at the visitors center with a set of 130 steps to get to the natural bridge and then on to Lace Falls. This is a paved trail that is 2 miles round trip.
- James River Overlook MP 63.2 - This is the lowest point on the BRP.
- James River Visitors Center at MP 63.6 There are 2 short trails here. One goes to the old canal - we did this one when we visited here on the way to New England. Also here is another short one - the Trail of Trees, a self-guiding nature trail.
Sunday October 22
We will leave Cider House B&B and stay at our next stop at Natural Bridge Historic Inn. There are hikes to do at Natural Bridge State Park which we can do the afternoon of October 22 or on the way to Peaks of Otter where we will stay on October 23 and 24.
- Other options if we did Natural Bridge trails on Saturday `
- Thunder Ridge Overlook Trail MP74.7 - This one is part of the AT. We also stopped at this one on our early trip but it was socked in with fog so we didn't see any views.
- Apple Orchard Falls MP78.4 This a very popular trail. It is 2.4 miles out and back. The trailhead is at the Sunset Field Overlook. It drops down off the parkway which means it will be all uphill on the way back.
- Onion Mountain Overlook Trail MP 79.7. The overlook looks east with a short 0.1 mile loop.
Monday October 23
I left this day out when originally planning our trip and I did not realize it until the trip. We had just arrived early at Peaks of Otter and took the Sharp Top Mountain Shuttle and hike before just checking into the hotel and then going to Bedford, VA for supper.
Tuesday October 24
A good place for sunrise will be on the western side of Abbott Lake, right at the lodge. Since the trail goes all the way around the lake it is also a good place for sunset. There is a visitors center and a bus service to the top of Flat Top mountain.
There are several hiking trails in this area:
- Falling Water Cascades Trail - a 1.5 mile loop trail named a national recreation trail.
- Flat Top Mountain Trail - This one intersects with the Falling Water Cascades Trail. This is a longer 4.5 mile trail one way with a lot of elevation change up and down.
- Elk Run Self Guiding Nature Trail - only 0.8 mile easy trail with informative signs.
- Johnson Farm Trail - 2.1 mile circuit trail with the possibility of seeing demonstrations as well as the buildings. Called one of the most fun trails on the parkway.
- The Harkening Hill Trail - 3.3 mile circuit - This one also has interesting buildings but is a little more strenuous than the Johnson Farm Trail.
- Sharp Top Trail - 3 miles out and back but there is also a bus that will take you almost to the top. Since it is only 1.5 miles one way, some people take the bus up and hike down. It is a very popular trail.
Wednesday October 25
We will leave Peaks of Otter and travel to Tuggles Gap at MP160. On the way we will go through Roanoke, the most populated city on the parkway. There are several things to see here:
- Stewards Knob MP115 offers a view of the city
- Explore Park and Blue Ridge Parkway Visitors Center MP115. There are 14 miles of walking trails here as well as the visitors center.
- Mill Mountain and the Roanoke Star MP 120. This is the most famous landmark in Roanoke. It is an 88 foot star that is light every night and can be seen from 60 miles away. There are several trails here as well as a zoo.
- Roanoke Mountain Loop Road MP 120.4. This 4 mile one way road goes around Roanoke Mountain with several overlooks of the city as the Roanoke Star. There is a short trail at the summit.
- There are several museums, shopping venues, and places to eat in Roanoke but since we are really here to see the mountains we will probably pass on these, except for maybe finding a good restaurant.
- Roanoke Valley Overlook MP129.6 - last change from a view of Roanoke.
- Devils Backbone Overlook MP 143.9 - view of the rock ridge.
- Smart View Area MP154.1 - This is very close to where we will stay for the night so we could do some of this the next day. It is a good place to see fall colors. There is a 3 mile loop trail that leaves from here and goes to a picnic area and by a mountain cabin. It descends down to a footbridge and a stone bridge.
Thursday October 26
This will be a longest mile day of the trip. Our last place to stay will be one of our favorite places, Big Lynn Lodge in Little Switzerland at MP340. From this entrance to the park the elevation is lower with more access points. Due to road closures much of the part of the parkway that we have never visited will be inaccessible so we will be able to travel much faster than if we were on the parkway the whole distance. Some of the most well known landmarks on the parkway are very close to Tuggles Gap.
- Rocky Knob Visitors Center MP167 -169 - There is one longe trail here that go into Rock Castle Gorge. There are also shorter trails at this area and a picnic area. We will need to get information at the visitors center.
- Marby Mill MP176.2 There is a short trail to the mill as well as a well known restaurant here. This is known as the parkway's most photographed location.
- Groundhog Mountain Picnic Area MP188.1 – Here there is an observation tower and a beautiful grassy knob with views of the Dan River Valley and Pilot Mountain.
- Fancy Gap MP199.5 – there is an exit from the parkway here to the town of Fancy Gap with several restaurants.
- Blue Ridge Music Center MP213 – We began our drive on the BRP here when we drove to New England in 2019. There is a gift sore, museum, and usually some live music on the porch. Also here is the High Meadow Trail, 2.8 miles total out and back trail. It will take you through a meadow. We could walk part but not all of this trail depending on time. Fisher Peak Loop Trail intersects here so it will be important to stay on the right trail.
- At MP216.9 we leave Virginia and enter the North Carolina Piedmont where the high meadows and rolling hillsides will grow rugged again.
- Cumberland Knob Recreation Area MP 217.5 – This is the place where construction of the parkway began in 1935. The Cumberland Knob Trail, 0.5 miles out and back leader to a beautiful stone picnic area at the top of Cumberland Know. The longer Gully Creek Trail also leaves from this parking lot. It is a 2.5 mile circuit.
- Fox Hunters Paradise Trail MP218.6 This is a short 0.2 mile easy trail to an overlook of the valley.
- From MP229 to MP276 there is a lot of construction with some of the parkway totally closed and some only one lane. (See the copy of the park map on the Maps page.) We will need to check carefully for information on this specific day. This is the only part of the parkway that we have never been on. It includes the Doughton Park area and Northwest Trading post. This is an area with beautiful meadows and mountain balds. We will have to take detours around this area of the parkway. There is a way to get into the Doughton Park area but time will determine if we get to visit this part. Big Lynn Lodge, where we will stay for the last 2 nights of our trip, includes a supper meal so we will have to make sure that we get there in time for supper.
- Blowing Rock MP291.9 - We have stayed here in previous drives on the parkway. Close to here is the Moses Cone Memorial Park. We enjoyed the easy trail around the lake here and the handcrafts at the Visitors Center.
- Julian Price Memorial Park MP295-297 – There is a lake here, picnic areas, and trails. Time will determine how much time we spend here since we will need to go about 40 miles to the Big Lynn Lodge. We could also come back here the next day. One of the most famous trails here is the Tanawha Trail 1.6 mile trail that goes from Julian Price to Beacon Heights Parking area. It can continue for another 13 miles to Grandfather Mountain. There are entrances to the trail from several overlooks between the beginning and end of the trail. This trail is called a trail-building masterpiece with stone bridges. The best views of the trail are from Wilson Creek Overlook to Rought Ridge. The suggestion is that is best to go from south to north so it would be better to start at Beacon Heights and go to Julian Price.
- Linn Cove Viaduct MP304 – one of the most iconic views of the park with the bridge like structure seeming hanging from the side of the mountain. At this time the Visitors Center here is closed.
- Grandfather Mountain MP305 – This privately owned park is famous for its mile high swinging bridge.
- Flat Rock Self-guiding Loop Trail MP 308.2 – This short 0.7 mile circuit trail has information about plant life but also good view of Flat Rock outcropping, Linville Valley, and Roan Mountain.
- Linville Gorge and Linville Falls Visitors Center MP 316 – This is one of the most photographed areas of North Carolina. It will be only 15 miles from where we are staying so we may come back here the next day. There are lots of trails in the Linville Gorge Recreation Area and overlooks along this part of the parkway. One of them is Wiseman's View Overlook. It is a short trail of only 0.4 miles, however it requires driving 4 miles down a dirt forest service road.
- Orchard at AltaPass MP328.3 exit to Orchard Road. This an apple orchard but there are also programs here.
- Table Rock Overlook MP329 - good views of Table Rock Mountain.
- Big Lynn Lodge, Little Switzerland MP330 - This is where we will end our day. We can exit at Gillespie Gap and come to Big Lynn or go on to Little Switzerland and go back north. The lodge itself is right on the parkway but there is no direct exit from the parkway to the lodge. In the town of Gillespie is the Museum of North Carolina Minerals with a Visitors Center.
Friday October 27
Since we are staying at Big Lynn for 2 nights we will have this day to see places within 30 miles north and 30 miles south of Big Lynn. We could go back north and see the Linville Gorge Area. Places to see to the south of Big Lynn Lodge:
- Crabtree Falls MP340 - this is a 2.5 mile loop trail to a beautiful waterfall that we have hiked to in the past.
- Licklog Ridge Overlook MP 349.2 provides a grand panoramic view of Hawskbill, Table Rock, and Grandfather Mountain. Good place for sunrise.
- Mount Mitchell State Park MP355 - There is a short trail here that is much like the trail to Clingmans Dome.
- Glassmine Falls Trail MP 361.2. This is a very short walk to an overlook of Glassmine Falls.
- Craggy Gardens Recreation Area MP364-367 – There is a visitors center here. This is best known for the rhododendrons and jagged rocks. There are 2 trails here. The Pinnacle Trail, 1.4 miles out and back. There are stunning views on this trail. The other trail is the Craggy Gardens trail, 1.6 miles out and back. This is the one that we took when we visited here in the past.
Saturday October 28
We will head home this day. There are several options. One would be to follow the parkway on to Asheville and then to either I-40 or go through Hot Springs. The other option would be to go back to Linville Gorge and exit the parkway to Roan Mountain State Park and come home via I-81.