Hiking the Blue Ridge Parkway, Section 4

Overview

This section of the Parkway has one of the highest average elevations, with much of it - from Mount Mitchell State Park to Craggy Gardens - being above 5000'. It traverses the southern Black Mountains and the Great Craggy Mountains around the rim of the Asheville Watershed. Several excellent, popular hiking trails grace the mountains along this section.

Craggy Gardens Rhododendron
Craggy Gardens is well known for its natural rhododendron gardens. Visit this section of the Parkway to see them blooming, usually in mid-June.

Although this section of the Parkway closes frequently during the winter, during the summer it makes an excellent refuge from the heat of the valleys below. Temperatures here rarely climb above 75 degrees. You'll find high-elevation spruce-fir forests as well as northern hardwood forests on the surrounding trails. Being close to Asheville, this section is popular for short drives from the city to catch an after-dinner sunset from the mountains or a short hike for exercise after work.

This section also includes the short stretch which loops around the south side of Asheville, from US Hwy 70 to NC Hwy 191, is locally known as the "commuter section" of the Parkway. It connects with US Hwys. 74A and 25 as well. It not only provides a popular, stoplight-free commute between businesses and homes along these highways, but access to several nice trails and a stretch of road that is open in the winter more often than the rest of the Parkway is.

Hiking Trails

Storm Clouds over the Parkway
Early Spring storm clouds above a meadow along the Parkway near Asheville.

Much of the land along the Parkway on this stretch is publicly owned, meaning a variety of trails connect to those actually on the Parkway, and ensuring some great hiking opportunities. The Mountains to Sea Trail follows the Parkway closely along this entire section. Several great day hikes can be found along portions of this trail, such as the hike to the fields below Potato Knob and an out-and-back hike to the knife ridge on the Big Butt Trail (yes, that's really the trail's name!). There are connecting trails to the Douglas Falls trail and the Big Ivy area near Craggy Gardens, and further south there are two ways to hike to Rattlesnake Lodge via the Mountains to Sea Trail.

For all the trail details, be sure to check out the Trails page and there are also several Best Hikes along this section.

Facilities

Craggy Gardens

Craggy mountaintops and lush rhododendron gardens grace the tops of the Great Craggy Mountains. Spectacular views await along several hiking trails in the area. This is a popular retreat from the summer heat for those living in Asheville. Two Guided Hikes wind through the area.

  • Picnic area with Water and Restrooms at MP 367.6

  • Visitor Center/Museum/Bookshop (Water and Restrooms) at MP 364.6

Folk Art Center (MP 382)

This art museum and gift shop is open year-round, except during severe winter weather. The parking area marks a popular access point for the Mountains to Sea Trail.

  • Art Museum
  • Gift Shop/Book Store
  • Restrooms

Directions


Larger Map & Directions on Google Maps

From Asheville

Take Town Mountain Road just over 6 miles up the mountain to the Parkway and head north or south. Or, take I-240 to US-70 (Tunnel Road) or US 74-A (Charlotte Highway) and get on the Parkway, and head North. Point A on the map is the northern end of this section; point B is the southern end.

Blue Ridge Parkway Section 4