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Discover the beauty and history of the Appalachian mountains on this 575 mile bicycle tour along two of the most scenic and pristine roads in North America. You will cycle from the Shenandoah National Park in Virginia to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in North Carolina. Challenge yourself and test your will as you climb over 50,000 vertical feet. Enjoy the thrills of the many descents along the way. Learn about all the different cultures of people who have called the Appalachian mountains home by visiting the numerous museums and exhibits along the Parkway. Take time to reflect next to a waterfall, at a scenic overlook or any of other many natural treasures along the way. Keep a watchful eye in the early mornings and you might spot a deer, bear or other
 woodland creature that lives in these mountains. Ride past fields of wildflowers and butterflies. Take some time off the bike and explore miles of hiking trails or stroll through the downtown sections of charming mountain towns. Enjoy friendly conversation around a bountiful dinner table with your fellow cycling companions. Feel your worries slip away with every pedal stroke and enjoy your new found freedom. Develop new friendships and create memories, both of which, will last a lifetime.
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1 - Asheville to Front Royal
We leave Asheville at 10am to shuttle to the town of Front Royal, VA. Along the way we will
have the option of stopping for a tour of the infamous Luray Caverns for a spectacular tour of the hidden land beneath the surface of the earth. After checking into the Hampton Inn we will head into town for a nice dinner before settling down for a good nights rest.
Meals: Lunch, Dinner
Day 2 - The Journey Begins!
After breakfast we head to the entry point of the Skyline Drive where our 575 mile cycling journey begins. This 105 mile road winds its way through the scenic Shenandoah National Park. Stone walls and the tendency of trees to form a canopy over the road give the Skyline Drive a secluded feeling. Because the road runs through a National Park, wildlife sightings are fairly common. Today's riding ends at the beautiful Big Meadows Lodge where we will enjoy a delicious dinner and peaceful sleep.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Milepost 0.0 to 51 = 51 miles
Day 3 - The Second Half of Skyline Drive
This morning we leave the Big Meadows area to
cycle the second half of the Skyline Drive.
Today's route will bring us by several
stunning overlooks and over many gaps before
the final descent to Rockfish Gap, where the
Skyline Drive ends and the Blue Ridge Parkway
begins. Tonight we will stay at the Holiday
Inn in Waynesboro, VA and celebrate our first
milestone, completion of the Skyline Drive,
over a fine dinner downtown.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Milepost 51 to 105.4 = 54.4 miles
Day 4 - We Begin the Blue Ridge Parkway
Today we begin the 470 mile journey south along the Blue Ridge Parkway. The section we cycle today begins with stunning mountain overlooks and a climb up to Raven's Roost where an overlook will allow you to admire the view of the Shenandoah Valley. Today's section is memorable for its wide, arching switchbacks, which are visible for miles ahead. The countryside varies from rocky cliffs to forests of hickory and eastern hemlock to beautiful pastures. Tonight will be spent at the Sheridan Livery Inn on Main Street in historic downtown Lexington.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Milepost 0.0 to 45.6 = 45.6 miles with an 11 mile option into Lexington.
Day 5 - Lowest Point to Highest Point (In Virginia)
After a brief shuttle back to
the Parkway we start the day with a long
descent to Otter Lake, which is the lowest
point on the Parkway at 650 feet. Now, the fun begins as we climb more than 3,300 feet in the next 13.5 miles to the highest point on the Parkway in Virginia at Apple Orchard Mountain (elev. 3,950). After the challenging climb you are rewarded with another long descent to the Peaks of Otter Lodge where we will stay the night. Just a short distance from the Inn is a moderate hiking trail to the majestic 200 foot Falling Water Cascades.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Milepost 45.6 to 85.6 = 40 miles
Day 6 - Peaks of Otter
to Roanoke
From the Peaks of Otter Lodge we get to enjoy a 35 mile section that is mostly downhill before the enduring climb up to
Adney Gap where we will exit the Parkway. After the decent the Parkway takes on different character consisting of mostly rolling terrain with the suburbs of Roanoke visible from the road. For the next two nights we will be enjoying the elegance of the Hotel Roanoke, just blocks from all the downtown action.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Milepost 85.6 to 135.9 = 50.3
Day 7 - Discover the Town of Roanoke
Today you are free to explore the many area
attractions of the Roanoke Valley and dine at
any of the towns great restaurants. The Hotel
Roanoke is conveniently located within easy
access of downtown, thus you will be free to
stroll the streets and the infamous open air
market.
Meals: None
Mileage = 0
Day 8 - Roanoke to Rocky
Knob
We shuttle back to Adney Gap where we exited the Parkway two days ago. Today's route consists of mostly rolling terrain between 2,500 and 3,500 feet in elevation. Just a few miles from our destination this evening is the Chateau Morrisette Winery where we will tour the facility and learn about the art of wine making. After a short descent from Chateau Morrisette we will arrive at the Mabry Mill, the most popular spot on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Our journeys end will be at Doe Run Lodge with its magnificent views of the surrounding valley.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Milepost 135.9 - 189 = 53.1 miles
Day 9 - Hello North Carolina
At milepost 216.9 we will cross into North Carolina. From here the route undergoes a subtle
transition from farmland to the highlands. You will notice a change in scenery from grassy meadows to sheer rock faces. Along the way there are many points of interest including the historic Brinegar Cabin, Cumberland Knob, and Devils Garden. Our day finishes in at the lovely Doughton Park where we will enjoy a peaceful nights sleep at the scenic Bluffs Lodge.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Milepost 189 - 241.1 = 52.1
Day 10 - A Day of Man-Made and Natural Masterpieces
Leaving Doughton Park you will enjoy spectacular scenery and rolling terrain as we make our way to the Northwest Trading Post. The Northwest Trading Post is a co-op for North Carolina craftsmen where you can find an assortment of handcrafted items as well as homemade baked goods. After leaving the trading post there is no level ground left. You will climb some, descend some, and then climb some more. This evening you will have the opportunity to explore one of the mountains most charming towns - Blowing Rock. Tonight's host inn is the magnificent Chetola Resort.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Milepost 241.1 - 291.9 = 50.8 miles
Day 11 - Blowing Rock to Little Switzerland
After breakfast we will cycle across the Linn Cove Viaduct, which was the last piece of the Parkway to be constructed.
We will stop along the way to view the majestic Linville Falls, which is located in the Linville Gorge. After viewing the falls we will continue cycling toward our evening's lodge, the Little Switzerland Inn.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Milepost 291.9 - 334.0 = 42.1 miles
Day 12 - The Conquering of Mount Mitchell
This morning we will set out to conquer the tallest mountain east of the
Mississippi, Mount Mitchell (elev. 6,684 feet). At milepost 355.3 we will turn off the Parkway onto the five mile spur road that will bring us to the summit of this majestic mountain.
Check your brakes and hold on tight because
the descent back to the Parkway is fast, very
fast! The next ten miles is rolling terrain
past rugged rock formations until we reach the
Craggy Garden's picnic area where we will stop
to enjoy some delicious snacks in this
beautiful area. After we leave Craggy Gardens
we are in for some downhill excitement, it is almost all downhill for the next 15 miles into Asheville.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Mileage 334.0 - 382.0 = 48 miles
Day 13 - Explore Asheville
Today you are free to explore the Asheville area. We highly recommend the Biltmore Estate, but make sure to leave enough time for your 1 hour massage at the Asheville Center for Massage and Natural Health.
Meals: Breakfast
Mileage = 0 miles
Day 14 - The Most Beautiful Section
Today we will travel along one of the most remote, rugged and beautiful sections of the Parkway. We will be passing by some striking landmarks such as, Looking Glass Rock, Graveyard Fields, and Devil's Courthouse. There will be many opportunities for hiking today including a trail to the top of Devil's Courthouse where you can view three states. After our hike we will commute back to the Pisgah Inn for a relaxing stay in one of the most scenic lodges in America.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Milepost 382.0 - 422.4 = 40.4 miles
Day 15 - The Finale
After the shuttle ride back
to where we left off yesterday we begin the final leg of the tour. From Beech Gap we
roll along as we make our way up and over Richland Balsam, which is the highest point on the Parkway at 6,047 feet. After Richland Balsam there is one more major climb, Waterrock
Knob, but then the final descent into Cherokee
will have you grinning from ear to ear as you
descend 3,698 feet in 18 miles. After everyone
has completed the journey we will load the van
back up for the ride into Asheville where we
will shower and then head out on the town for
a celebratory dinner and a toast to our accomplishments and new friendships.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Milepost 422.4 - 469 = 46.6 miles
Day 16 - Final Farwell
After a relaxing breakfast in your hotel room you are free to depart at your leisure. The trip home will be a time of reflection on the incredible accomplishment you have achieved and the new friends you have made along the way.
Meals: Breakfast
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