Blue Ridge Parkway Road Biking Travel Guide

Blue Ridge Parkway Road Biking Travel Guide

Other Guides for Blue Ridge Parkway

Road Biking Destinations Near Blue Ridge Parkway

Travel Guides Near Blue Ridge Parkway

Southeast Road Biking States/Provinces

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Blue Ridge Parkway in autumn in the Blue Ridge Mountains, Virginia
Blue Ridge Parkway (courtesy, National Park Service)

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Blue Ridge Parkway Road Biking Travel Tips

  • Conquer 1,100-foot elevations on the Blue Ridge Parkway, a 469-mile roadway in the sky connecting Great Smoky Mountains National Park to Shenandoah National Park. The natural setting and vast overlooks characterize the scenic yet challenging biking destination.
  • Numerous campgrounds, restrooms, and accesses make overnight bicycle tours very doable. Late spring, summer, and early fall are the best times for overnight trips to the Parkway’s high elevations in North Carolina and Virginia.
  • Pedal amid the spruce-fir forest on the southern end of the Parkway, near the Great Smoky Mountains. Pull over at milepost 355, Mount Mitchell State Park—at 6,682 feet, it's the highest point east of the Mississippi River and features a mountaintop observation tower and quality campground.
  • Prepare for steep climbs and speedy descents on elevations ranging from 600 feet to higher than 6,000 feet. The aggregate uphill climbs add up to 48,000 feet over the course of the entire Parkway.
  • Practice safe cycling through the Parkway's 27 tunnels: You must fasten a light to the front of your bike and secure a red reflector to the rear. Rain and fog often descends without warning—stick to low-elevation routes and come equipped with foul-weather gear.


Blue Ridge Parkway Travel Guide

Maintained by the National Park Service, the Blue Ridge Parkway, in effect, is a continuation of the 105-mile-long Skyline Drive in the Shenandoah National Park, running another 469 miles southwest through the Blue Ridge Mountains to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in North Carolina. Magnificent vistas and the natural beauty of the forests, wildlife, and wildflowers combine with pioneer history to make this a scenic and fascinating route. Read More

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Join the discussion with Away.com's in-house experts in our travel Q&A.

4 Questions | 3 Answers
  • I would like to know the distance in miles (and time if known) in traveling from Asheville, NC on the BLUE RIDGE PARKWAY to Boone, NC. I know the shortest way is not on the parkway but I want to take the scenic drive. Thanks!
    Read 1 answer or Answer this question
  • HI I AM NEW AT CAMPING JUST BOUGHT A NEW RV 30 FT IS THIS TRIP TO MUCH FOR A BEGINNER
    Read 1 answer or Answer this question
  • Driving from Thomasville, NC how do I get to the parkway. All maps on internet do not show very well.
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  • Read all questions and answers »

Hotels

from: $225

Keswick Hall At Monticello

701 Club Drive
Keswick, VA 22947 Map

Distance: 26.9 mi.
(from destination center)

Hotel Class: 4 class stars

expert favorite hotel
Good For Road Biking
Expert Rated & Recommended
5.0
from: $88

Peaks of Otter Lodge

P.O. Box 489
Bedford, VA 24523 Map

Distance: 57.4 mi.
(from destination center)

Hotel Class: 3 class stars

expert favorite hotel
Good For Road Biking
Expert Rated & Recommended
4.0

Linville Falls Campground

Blue Ridge Parkway (milepost 317)
Linville Falls, NC 28647 Map

Distance: 219.8 mi.
(from destination center)

Hotel Class: Not Yet Rated
expert favorite hotel
Good For Road Biking
Expert Rated & Recommended
4.0

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Attractions

Peaks of Otter

expert favorite attraction
Good For Road Biking
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
Expert Rated & Recommended
5_0

Rocky Knob & Mabry Mill

expert favorite attraction
Good For Road Biking
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
Expert Rated & Recommended
5_0

Cumberland Knob

Good For Road Biking
Blue Ridge Parkway (milepost 217.5)


Distance: 159.4 mi. (from destination center)

Description: Located near the VA/NC state line, Cumberland Knob was the site where construction of the Blue... Read More
Expert Rated & Recommended
3_0

Airports

Major Airports near Blue Ridge Parkway

Distance (mi.)
Richmond International Airport/Byrd Field 92.0 map
Washington Dulles International Airport 99.2 map
Washington Ronald Reagan National Airport 113.9 map

Other Smaller Airports near Blue Ridge Parkway

Distance (mi.)
Staunton Shenandoah Valley Airport 16.4 map
Charlottesville Albemarle Airport 23.3 map
Lynchburg Preston-Glenn Field 51.8 map

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