Description

When most people think of the Blue Ridge Parkway, they think of a 469-mile drive through the best of the Appalachian Mountains. Few people realize the scenery is even better seen on the 300 miles of trail along the way. On this trip, we explore about 15 miles of those stunning trails. Here’s the plan:

Weekend Plan

Friday

6 p.m. — Welcome appetizers at the campsite. Hang out, eat, and unwind around the fire. 

Saturday

7:30 a.m. — Breakfast

8 a.m. — Lunch prep

9 a.m. to 4 p.m. — The Rock Castle Gorge Trail offers the best of the Blue Ridge Escarpment. We start high with a rolling stroll through mountain meadows offering great views to the west. Then, we drop down through a rocky stretch with lots of rhododendron and mountain laurel, followed by a mellow 4-mile walk on abandoned natural roadbed along Rock Castle Creek. The last two miles takes us through an old-growth forest, a mid-mountain meadow and a short climb to the campground. An 11-mile day, hiked at your own pace.

6 p.m. — Dinner

Sunday

7:30 a.m. — Breakfast

8 a.m. — Lunch prep

8:30 a.m. — Depart for Smart View Overlook.

9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. — Hike the 3-mile Smart View Loop Trail, a great recovery hike with more stellar views.

This trip includes

• 2 continental breakfasts (Saturday and Sunday mornings)
• 2 lunches (build-your-own lunch buffet)
• Appetizers Friday evening
• Burrito bar dinner Saturday night
• Trail snacks
• 2 hikes
• eguide for the three hikes and for the weekend
• 2 nights camping Rocky Knob Campground

Not a camper? Not a problem. The town of Floyd is 13 minutes up the parkway.

Fee: $245