Blue Ridge Parkway
Your guide from the Hemlock Inn Bed & Breakfast, Bryson City

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Blue Ridge Parkway
This beautiful scenic drive begins at Cherokee (about 10 miles from Hemlock Inn) and goes through some of the most spectacular scenery in the world. For a short drive, get on the parkway just north of Cherokee (off Hwy. 441), and drive to Balsam, returning via Hwy. 74 West to Bryson City. For a longer trip, go about 50 miles on the parkway to enjoy lunch at the Pisgah Inn. Their Monte Christo Sandwiches are wonderful! Return to Balsam and take Hwy. 74 West to Bryson City.

To help you find your way, the Blue Ridge Parkway uses a Milepost system, begining with zero mark on the Virginia end. (So you begin at Milepost 455 in Cherokee.) Here are some highlights on "our" section of the Parkway, with some of the most dramatic scenery you will find in the country.

Milepost 408.6 Mount Pisgah. Campground, picnic area, trails, inn, restaurant (May-November). Mount Pisgah was part of the 100,000-acre estate bought in the late 1800's by George W. Vanderbilt. The first forestry school in America was established on the estate. A large part of the woodland, the first large tract of managed forest in this country, became the nucleus of Pisgah National Forest.

Milepost 417 Looking Glass Rock. So named because it reflects light brilliantly when water and ice are on the rock's granite face.

Milepost 418.8 Graveyard Fields Overlook. Loop trail of moderate difficulty, 2.3 miles, to Yellowstone Falls.

Milepost 422.4 Devil's Courthouse Parking Area. Strenuous 1/2 mile hike to "Courthouse" for 360 degree view. Sensitive habitat area. Please stay on trail.

Milepost 431.4 Richmond Balsam Overlook. Highest point on Blue Ridge Parkway motor road. Alt. 6,047

Milepost 451.2 Waterrock Knob Parking Overlook. Visitor Information Center, Comfort Station. 4-State view including fine panorama of the Great Smoky Mountains. Trail, with pedestrian overlooks, to the Knob.

Milepost 455.7 Cherokee, NC.

Note: The Blue Ridge Parkway is a scenic two-lane highway. With all of the sightseers the pace is a bit slow. If you are planning to go to Asheville via this route you can count on about 2½ hours, instead of 1¼ hours via Hwy. 74 and I-40.

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Hemlock Inn
Adjacent to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park
P.O. Box 2350, Galbraith Creek Rd, Bryson City, NC 28713
phone: 828-488-2885 / fax: 828-488-8985
Reservations taken from 7:30 AM until 11:00 PM EST
e-mail: hemlock@dnet.net

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