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Blue Ridge Bliss: The Slow Roll
We’re taking on America’s favorite drive at a pace that actually lets you breathe the mountain air. Starting from the northern gateway in Virginia and winding down to the Smokies, this 7-day crawl is all about the overlooks, the hidden hollows, and the porch swings.
7days
22stops
682km
Day 1: Rockfish Gap → Humpback Rocks → James River
1h 46min · 134km3 stops
Rockfish Gap
10:00
26min · 34km
Humpback Rocks
13:00
1h 20min · 100km
James River
16:00
Day 2: Peaks of Otter → Johnson Farm → Roanoke Star
44min · 48km3 stops
Peaks of Otter
10:00
42min · 47km
Johnson Farm
14:00
2min · 0.8km
Roanoke Star
17:00
Day 3: Mabry Mill → Groundhog Mountain → Blue Ridge Music Center
1h 36min · 111km3 stops
Mabry Mill
11:00
1h 18min · 90km
Groundhog Mountain
14:30
18min · 21km
Blue Ridge Music Center
16:30
Day 4: Doughton Park → Brinegar Cabin → E.B. Jeffress Park
1h 44min · 99km3 stops
Doughton Park
10:30
1h 3min · 60km
Brinegar Cabin
13:30
41min · 39km
E.B. Jeffress Park
16:00
Day 5: Linn Cove Viaduct → Linville Falls → Museum of North Carolina Mine…
1h 21min · 84km3 stops
Linn Cove Viaduct
10:00
1h · 61km
Linville Falls
13:00
21min · 23km
Museum of North Carolina Minerals
16:00
Day 6: Mount Mitchell → Craggy Gardens → Folk Art Center
1h 13min · 94km3 stops
Mount Mitchell
10:30
25min · 29km
Craggy Gardens
13:30
48min · 65km
Folk Art Center
16:30
Day 7: Mount Pisgah → … → Cherokee
1h 51min · 113km4 stops
Mount Pisgah
10:00
41min · 42km
Looking Glass Rock Overlook
13:00
17min · 16km
Waterrock Knob
15:30
53min · 55km
Cherokee
Heads Up
- 1. Cell service is spotty at best on the ridge—download offline maps.
- 2. Fuel up whenever you leave the Parkway for a town, as there are no gas stations on the road itself.