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Take the Blue Ridge Parkway north from Asheville (about 90 miles from downtown, allow 2.5 hours) to Grandfather Mountain. Leave early for great morning views and little traffic. For an easy 1.5 mile (roundtrip) hike to a beautiful waterfall, stop at the Linville Falls visitors center, about 15 miles before Grandfather.
From Linville Falls, continue north on the Blue Ridge Parkway to the Linn Cove Viaduct, a curvy bridge that seems to float in air. After you cross the Viaduct, turn around, cross the viaduct again, and take the US 221 Highway/Linville exit. You will quickly come to Grandfather Mountain. Walk across the famous Mile-High Swinging Bridge, see wildlife exhibits, and take in amazing vistas from this rocky, rugged mountain. If you love challenging hikes, take the Grandfather Trail from the swinging bride parking lot. This 2-mile roundtrip takes you up steep climbs and ladders to breathtaking, panoramic vistas. (See photo on left.) For quicker, free nearby hikes from the Parkway with amazing views, stop at Beacon Heights or Rough Ridge.
From Grandfather, continue south on US 221 for about 18 miles to Linville Caverns. These natural limestone caverns feature stalactite and stalagmite formations along an underground stream. Continue on US 221 South to Marion and take I-40 West back to Asheville. (Allow about 1.5 hours to return from Grandfather via this route.)
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From Asheville, drive down the Blue Ridge Parkway, which ends near the entrance to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park (see Great Smoky Mountains Guide) at Milepost 469, about 80 miles from downtown-allow 2 1/2 hours. It's probably the most beautiful (and highest) section of the parkway. The Smokies is the nation's most popular park with 500,000 acres of protected forest. Follow 441 through the park, stopping at the Oconaluftee Visitor Center. You can drive to the Tennessee state line at Newfound Gap and turn around. (If you have time, drive up to the Smokies highest peak, Clingmans Dome.)
Follow U.S. 441 back to Cherokee to learn about the history of the Cherokee people. They have an evening outdoor drama (Unto These Hills), Indian village,
Harrah's Cherokee Casino, and shopping. Return to Asheville via U.S. 19 and I-40 East (55 miles & 1 1/2 hours. There is no admission charge for the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
Also see Gatlinburg & Pigeon Forge. |
