Blue Ridge Parkway - looking for pointers
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Road Captain
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 734
Likes: 29
From: Arkansas Ozarks
Blue Ridge Parkway - looking for pointers
I'll be riding the length of the Blue Ridge Parkway from Front Royal to Cherokee next month. Pretty much have the trip plotted out, but wanted to reach out to those in the know to recommend any must see or do places on or near the BRP.
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,076
Likes: 1
From: East TN
Did that two years ago..great trip, great views. Try Grandfather mountain as a stop, cherokee is also good and somewhere along the way we came across foam henge..life size stone henge yep u guessed it made out of foam
Tourer
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 284
Likes: 9
From: Louisville, Ky.
Detour....
There's a detour on the Parkway near the Va./N.C. border. They're replacing some of the rock walls. This guy makes maps of the area(really good ones, might not be a bad idea of getting some before your trip)....anyway he's scooped out a detour better then the states one to help you get around the traffic. The link is....
http://smokymountainrider.com/?p=4178
http://smokymountainrider.com/?p=4178
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 9,982
Likes: 5,220
From: Michigan
THe Skyline Drive runs 105 miles from Front Royal, Va to Waynesboro, VA.
It's a toll road ($10 I think) and the speed limit is 35 MPH.
We usually spend the night in Front Royal and get a late morning start (due to the fog) and so a slow ride to Waynesboro and spend the night there.
The Blue Ridge Parkway runs 469 (?) miles from Waynesboro, VA to near Asheville, NC.
No toll and the speed limit is 45 MPH.
We usually make this a two day drive, ending up in Cherokee, NC (they have an excellent casino and buffet).
At MM 241 (Laurel Springs, NC) we've stayed at The Bluff's Lodge which is a neat place with no TV, phone, or A/C in rooms, but has a beautiful patio for socializing and a small restaurant right on the BRP.
It was closed for the 2011 season but it may be open for the 2012 season. Of course there are other lodges on the BRP but if you're looking for more economical rates you will need to exit the BRP and go down into one of the towns.
It seems that they're always doing construction on these roads, but as a rule the detours are fairly well planned and as short as possible.
My main recommendation is to do this ride during the week to avoid the traffic and before the summer break for schools.
It's a toll road ($10 I think) and the speed limit is 35 MPH.
We usually spend the night in Front Royal and get a late morning start (due to the fog) and so a slow ride to Waynesboro and spend the night there.
The Blue Ridge Parkway runs 469 (?) miles from Waynesboro, VA to near Asheville, NC.
No toll and the speed limit is 45 MPH.
We usually make this a two day drive, ending up in Cherokee, NC (they have an excellent casino and buffet).
At MM 241 (Laurel Springs, NC) we've stayed at The Bluff's Lodge which is a neat place with no TV, phone, or A/C in rooms, but has a beautiful patio for socializing and a small restaurant right on the BRP.
It was closed for the 2011 season but it may be open for the 2012 season. Of course there are other lodges on the BRP but if you're looking for more economical rates you will need to exit the BRP and go down into one of the towns.
It seems that they're always doing construction on these roads, but as a rule the detours are fairly well planned and as short as possible.
My main recommendation is to do this ride during the week to avoid the traffic and before the summer break for schools.
Last edited by 2AMGuy; May 21, 2012 at 01:00 AM.
Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 46
Likes: 0
Stop at Mabry Mill, milepost 176.1. One of the most photographed places on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Self-guided tours include a sorghum mill, soap making kettle, and an "old time" whiskey still. There is a restaurant there that serves breakfast and lunch. I make it a point of getting there early for buckwheat pancakes!!!
Here it is. A bit larger than my sig pic
Here it is. A bit larger than my sig pic
Road Captain
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 605
Likes: 0
From: northwestern NC
The Bluffs Lodge, the restaurant at Doughton Park, and I believe the restaurant at Mabry Mill are all closed this year.
Agree that Grandfather Mountain is a nice detour. You might also check out Mt. Mitchell as well a little further south. It is the highest point east of the Mississippi. Linville Falls is another great detour. Personally, I'd skip the buffet at Harrah's Casino and opt for the Moose Cafe in Asheville instead. It's only about 2 miles off the Parkway on Brevard Road. Best apple butter on the planet.
Only tips I can offer are watch for gawkers and don't pass up an opportunity to gas up. On the first point, the BRP has more fatalities than any other road around here according to the NC Highway Patrol. People are too busy looking at the views rather than where they are going so you always have to be on your toes watching for cagers crossing into your lane. In fact, right around the Little Switzerland area they put up a sign: "High Collision Area next 3 miles".
Ride safe and enjoy the trip!
Agree that Grandfather Mountain is a nice detour. You might also check out Mt. Mitchell as well a little further south. It is the highest point east of the Mississippi. Linville Falls is another great detour. Personally, I'd skip the buffet at Harrah's Casino and opt for the Moose Cafe in Asheville instead. It's only about 2 miles off the Parkway on Brevard Road. Best apple butter on the planet.
Only tips I can offer are watch for gawkers and don't pass up an opportunity to gas up. On the first point, the BRP has more fatalities than any other road around here according to the NC Highway Patrol. People are too busy looking at the views rather than where they are going so you always have to be on your toes watching for cagers crossing into your lane. In fact, right around the Little Switzerland area they put up a sign: "High Collision Area next 3 miles".
Ride safe and enjoy the trip!
Last edited by mountainpharm; May 21, 2012 at 06:33 AM.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 3,938
Likes: 23
From: MD just outside DC
We stayed at the inn at little switerland on the parkway wasn't too pricey has a bar and amazing view. Near it is another MC black diamond ? Or something diamond. The inn is on the parkway.
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Tourer
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 343
Likes: 1
From: Canada
Subscribed. Wife and I are going to do the Skyline/BRP. Leaving London Ont. June 11. Never been down that way and we're looking forward to it.
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Cruiser
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 180
Likes: 3
From: Jasper, GA
Check out www.americaridesmaps.com
They make a set of maps that cover the entire area. All the great side trips, food, gas, places to stay.
Good place to eat in Asheville, NC.-
Texas Roadhouse-Not expensive and imo the best ribs around.
Maggie valley has -
A Holiday Motel- The most biker friendly place to stay.
Jonathan creek- another great place to stay.
Wheels through time museum. Old bikes galore, all on the floor run.
Hurley's Creekside Dining and Rhum Bar- They have an item called of all things- Hurley's chicken- Another of my favorites.
Joey's pancake house- Great place for breakfast
Cherokee has-
An overpriced casino. The food is below average and the games are way to tight.
Granny's kitchen is decent. Has a great peanut butter pie
Stockyard steaks- Never pass through the doors. A fried flip-flop is a better choice.
We just ride through Cherokee and travel the 16 mls to Maggie Valley
They make a set of maps that cover the entire area. All the great side trips, food, gas, places to stay.
Good place to eat in Asheville, NC.-
Texas Roadhouse-Not expensive and imo the best ribs around.
Maggie valley has -
A Holiday Motel- The most biker friendly place to stay.
Jonathan creek- another great place to stay.
Wheels through time museum. Old bikes galore, all on the floor run.
Hurley's Creekside Dining and Rhum Bar- They have an item called of all things- Hurley's chicken- Another of my favorites.
Joey's pancake house- Great place for breakfast
Cherokee has-
An overpriced casino. The food is below average and the games are way to tight.
Granny's kitchen is decent. Has a great peanut butter pie
Stockyard steaks- Never pass through the doors. A fried flip-flop is a better choice.
We just ride through Cherokee and travel the 16 mls to Maggie Valley
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 2,788
Likes: 1
From: Maine
I stayed at the inn three weeks ago, in the DiamondBack bunkhouse. It was $70 abouts including taxes - then. Make your reservation in advance and follow up to make sure that they got it. The Diamond back is 226A, fun ride, but honestly the hills up there are full of roads like this. The Little Switzerland Inn has a good web site. I thought the food was very good at the restaurant and there is a hopping bar there too.