The Best Section of the Blue Ridge Parkway

Soco Gap ( Milepost 455.7) to Wagon Road Gap (Milepost 412.2) 

Haywood County’s crowning jewel is the BEST section of the Blue Ridge Parkway. Arcing along the peaks on our southern border, this is the highest and most scenic portion of the 469 mile long ride.

Enjoy views from the highest point, see the Devil’s Courthouse, Looking Glass Rock, Graveyard Fields, and more.

Distance: 78 miles to make the loop

Ride Time: 3 hours or more 

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START: Maggie Valley

• Follow US 19 - Soco Road west and climb to the Blue Ridge Parkway

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7.4 Miles

• Get on the Blue Ridge Parkway at Soco Gap. Follow the Blue Ridge Parkway towards Asheville for 43.3 miles.

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51.2 Miles

• Exit the Blue Ridge Parkway at US 276 - Wagon Road Gap. Follow US 276 for 20.7 miles to Waynesville

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72 Miles

• Pass through Waynesville on US 276 to US 19.

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74.5 Miles

•  Turn west on US 19 - Dellwood Road and follow to Maggie Valley

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78 Miles

END: Maggie Valley

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START: Maggie Valley

Ride: Maggie Valley to the Blue Ridge Parkway

• From the Haywood Visitor Center follow US 19 - Soco Road to Soco Gap and the entrance to the Blue Ridge Parkway. Get on the parkway heading towards Asheville.

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Ride: Soco Gap to Balsam Gap

• MP 452.1 Cranberry Ridge Overlook - nice views towards Cherokee
• MP 451.2 Waterrock Know Overlook - visitor center, panoramic views from top
• MP 450.2 Yellow-Face Overlook - long range views over valley
• MP 445.2 Mt Lynn Lowery Overlook - View Mt. Lyn Lowery cross on top, Woodfin Cascades across valley
• MP 443.1 - Balsam Gap - US 74

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Ride: Balsam Gap to Beech Gap

• MP 439.7 Pinnacle Ridge Tunnel
• MP 431.4  Richland Balsam Overlook - Highest point on the Blue Ridge Parkway
• MP 430.7 Cowee Mountains Overlook - nice panoramic views
• MP 428    Caney Fork Overlook - Panoramic views
• MP 423.5 Courthouse Valley Overlook - Nice views, good rest stop
• MP 423.3 Beech Gap - NC 215

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RIde: Beech Gap to Wagon Road Gap

• MP 422.4 Devil's Courthouse Overlook - View from base of rock formation and valley below
• MP 422.1 Devil's Courthouse Tunnel
• MP 418.8 Graveyard Feilds Overlook - popular stop with waterfalls, parking gets congested
• MP 418.3 Looking Glass Rock Overlook - Popular stop, good views of rock formation
• MP 413.2 Pounding Mill Overlook - panoramic views from point
• MP 412.9 Cold Mountain Overlook - Good rest stop near exit, views
• MP 412.2 Wagon Road Gap - Junction with US 276

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Ride: Blue Ridge Parkway to Maggie Valley

• The drop from the parkway on US 276 - Cruso Road is a thrill. It then winds through the forest for several mailes and emerges along the Pigeon River as it flows towads the Bethel valley. US 276 - Pigeon Road takes you through Pigeon Gap into downtown Waynesville. Follow Main Street then US 276 - Russ Avenue to the junction with US 19. Follow US 19 - Dellwood Road back to Maggie Valley. 

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END: Maggie Valley

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