Overall Route Rating
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4.71 out of 5 Rider Rating 4.71
138 Reviews

Motorcycle Route Author

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By Guest (0 McR Points) on Feb 28, 2002

Rider Reviews

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Guest
October 8, 2010
My favorite ride. From the north, do it my way…
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Guest
March 13, 2011
The BRP is The Best Ride you can do on the east…
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Written Directions

NOTE: The map shown above is not entirely accurate because of a limitation with the Google Maps software that is used by the website. It is close however, AND, there are many web sites that document the Blue Ridge Parkway's exact directions including the interactive online map here - https://www.blueridgeparkway.org/parkway-map/. To start on the north or upper half, go Staunton VA on interstate 81 and then head east on interstate 64 towards Waynesboro or Afton VA. Look for and follow the Blue Ridge Parkway signs. To start in the middle you should go to Wytheville VA on I-81 and then get on I-77 heading southeast toward the town of Fancy Gap VA (its exit #8 off of I-77). Look for the Blue Ridge parkway signs. Or to start at the lower/southern end (and then heading north) go to the town of Cherokee (just southeast of the Great Smoky Mountain National Park) or you can get on the Blue Ridge Parkway in Asheville NC as well.

Scenery

The upper half (the longer of the two halves) of this road runs from Afton VA, (near Waynesboro and Staunton, VA) south till it intersects I-77. This part of the road ambles through the Virginia country side with several sites to stop such as an old mill pond with a working millwheel and some Civil War battle sites.

The lower half runs from I-77 (near a VA town called Fancy Gap) to Cherokee NC. This part of the road is mostly in the great Smokey Mountains of North Carolina. There are numerous overlooks to view the beautiful Smokey Mts. as well as several outstanding places to see such as blowing rock and an old plantation house turned into a craft house. The part below Ashville NC is perhaps the most awesome Mt views anywhere in the eastern part of the country and terminates at the Cherokee Indian reservation where a museum and an outdoor drama are well worth seeing. The federal government hosts a very nice informational website covering the Blue Ridge Parkway.

Drive Enjoyment

One of the best parts of this road is the limited access. The only trucks ever encountered are the few service truck that service the two service station/restaurant areas along the parkway. Another plus is the 45 mph limit that allows you to see the surrounding scenery with out so much risk of having an accident. The road itself is very well maintained and the many curves are gentle.

Tourism Opportunities

There is one service station/restaurant area on each half of the parkway. The upper one also has a Mt motel that is very reasonably priced but doesn't offer TV. There are several pull off areas where numerous sites can be viewed. There are no signs along the parkway so it is a good idea to try to have a map so that you can tell where the small towns are along the way and where food and lodging are available.

Motorcycle Road Additional info

The Blue Ridge Parkway, follows a very meticulous winding path from Afton, Virginia down to Cherokee, North Carolina. It is such a winding path that it exceeds the number of way-points allowed by our mapping system and so I refer you to the official US government Blue Ridge Parkway Map. - You can read an interesting FAQ about the Blue Ridge Parkway. - View the weather forecast for this area from Yahoo weather . - Virginia Historical Society - Virginia Civil War Battlefields
 

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Guest
May 11, 2008
0 McR Points
Motorcycle Type : Cruiser
The BRP is just motorcycle heaven. No stop signs, traffic lights or commercial traffic (trucks.) If traveling in the middle of the Parkway, the Blue Ridge B&B is right on the Parkway between Mileposts 225 & 226, a very cool place. www.blueridgebandb.net
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Guest
May 3, 2008
0 McR Points
Motorcycle Type : Other
Camped on roadway at closed gate on top of Mt Mitchell in July and froze. Ice on sleeping bag in morning.
BRP is awesome, deserves taking it slow and easy.
Walker
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Adventure Chica
May 29, 2014
2 McR Points
Motorcycle Type : Sport - Touring
The cons - The speed limit is low, as low as 25 mph near the points of interest. Watch out for wildlife, the deer tend not to be as skittish, but they aren't the only wildlife that live there that could be in the road. When fog hits, it can be thick as pea soup, check the weather since it may be different in the mountains than in the valley. There is no road maintenance, so during the winter or after a bad storm the roads may be closed or there may be fallen tree debris. Check the NPS website for road conditions before travelling. There are not many exits or entrances so plan ahead for fuel and food stops. Don't trust GPS, sometimes it will direct you to an entrance that is non-existent, verify there is an entrance or exit on the map provided by NPS.
The pros - It is literally the best parkway I've ridden on the East Coast, and I've ridden them all east of the Mississippi. The curves are sweeping and relaxing. The scenery is breathtaking and there is minimal traffic due to the limited access. The north entrance in Afton can be busy since it's close to I 64 and the amount of hikers, bikers, etc. have a free place to roam, traffic tends to be few and far between the farther south you go. I recommend taking Skyline Drive to get there, it's worth the fee and the road conditions tend to be better. One of my favorite sections is in North Carolina, the Linville Viaducts where the twisty road is attached to the side of the mountain. This is my favorite road to just decompress and enjoy myself without stressing about trucks, or other vehicles (as much) and it works every time.
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