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Blue Ridge Parkway - Camping |
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| For 469 miles the Blue Ridge Parkway weaves, rises and falls through graceful lands of grass and granite, flowers and waterfalls. For 469 miles the Parkway stretches from the Shenandoah to the Great Smoky mountains. On this tour we will climb and descend over 48,000 feet as we cycle the entire length of the Parkway and discover the beauty it beholds. Picnic at the top of the tallest mountain east of the Rockies in a picture postcard setting. Take a leisurely stroll to a majestic waterfall or mountain vista on any one of the many hiking trails that cross the Parkway. Relax under a mighty oak tree while enjoying endless mountain views. In the mornings and evenings keep a watchful eye for a deer, fox, black bear and other woodland creature. While the days are spent riding and hiking the evenings are spent dining on great food, relaxing around a roaring fire and sharing stories of the days adventures with your new found friends. Each night the sounds of nature will sing you to sleep and each morning you will awake to fresh coffee and a hearty breakfast cooked by your friendly guides. Now, this tour will challenge even the fittest of riders, but your friendly guides will make sure you complete the tour and experience the thrill of cycling into the town of Cherokee on the final day. |
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Places of Interest |
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Accommodations |
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Dates |
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July 26 - August 2 |
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Cost |
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What's Included |
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| 2 Nights lodging in hotels | |||||||||
| 6 Nights camping | |||||||||
| Tent, Sleeping Bag and Sleeping Pad Rental | |||||||||
| 23 Meals - 8 breakfasts, 7 lunches and 8 dinners | |||||||||
| Snacks all day long. | |||||||||
| Any entrance fees into the parks or attractions. | |||||||||
| Services of two Black Bear Adventures tour leaders. | |||||||||
| Services of the Black Bear Adventures shuttle van. | |||||||||
| A Black Bear Adventures T-shirt and water bottle | |||||||||
| 8 X 10 photo of you on the tour | |||||||||
| Daily route directions and maps | |||||||||
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Detailed Itinerary |
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| Day 1 - Arrive in Asheville and shuttle to Rockfish Gap | |||||||||
| Today we leave Asheville for a 6 hour shuttle drive to our first nights hotel, The Inn at Afton, which is located at the entrance to the Blue Ridge Parkway. That evening we will enjoy a fine dinner in the hotels restaurant before settling in for a peaceful nights rest. | |||||||||
| Meals: Dinner | |||||||||
| Day 2 - The Journey Begins | |||||||||
| After fueling up on a hearty breakfast we leave the hotel on our bikes for the first day cycling. Today we will cycle for 86 miles to the Peaks of Otter Campground, which is located on the Parkway. Along the route there are many hiking opportunities, historic sites and beautiful view points. After reaching the Peaks of Otter Campground you will have several hours to relax before joining your new friends for dinner. | |||||||||
| Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner | |||||||||
| Mileage: 0.0 - 86.0 = 86 Miles | |||||||||
| Day 3 - Peaks of Otter to Rocky Knob | |||||||||
| Today we will cycle for 81 miles along a stretch of the Parkway that is full of historic farms, cabins and beautiful overlooks. That evening we will enjoy a gourmet dinner at the Chateau Morrisette winery. | |||||||||
| Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner | |||||||||
| Mileage: 86.0 - 167.1 = 81.1 Miles | |||||||||
| Day 4 - From Mabry Mills to Doughton Park | |||||||||
| This morning we will have breakfast at the most photographed spot on the Parkway, Mabry Mills. This historic farm serves up some of the best pancakes around. After breakfast we continue the days 72 mile route which will bring us into North Carolina. The route ends at the Doughton Park Campground. After getting cleaned up there are several hiking trails to explore in this beautiful 6,400 acre park. Tonight your guides will grill up a delicious meal for you at a scenic location. | |||||||||
| Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner | |||||||||
| Mileage: 167.1 - 239.1 = 72 Miles | |||||||||
| Day 5 - Doughton Park to Julian Price Memorial Park | |||||||||
| Along today's 58 mile route you will cycle past a waterfall, numerous overlooks and through the old hunting grounds of the legendary Daniel Boone as you make your way to the beautiful Julian Price Memorial Park where we will camp next to Price Lake. If time permits you may considering renting a canoe, fishing for rainbow trout or walking around the lake. This evening your guides will prepare for you another gourmet dinner at the campground. | |||||||||
| Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner | |||||||||
| Mileage: 239.1 - 297 = 57.9 | |||||||||
| Day 6 - Conquer the famous Mount Mitchell | |||||||||
| After fueling up on a hearty breakfast we will set out on 63 mile route that finishes with the infamous climb to the top of Mount Mitchell, the tallest mountain east of the Rockies. At the top of the mountain you will want to visit the natural history museum to learn about the areas unique environment and also take the short hike to the observation tower where you will enjoy an amazing view of distant mountain ranges. That afternoon we will trace our route back to Crabtree Meadows were you can enjoy a hike to the beautiful Crabtree waterfall while your guides prepare dinner and set up the tents. | |||||||||
| Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner | |||||||||
| Mileage: 297 - 355 .4 (plus 5 miles up a to Mount Mitchell) = 63.4 Miles | |||||||||
| Day 7 - Mountain to Mountain | |||||||||
| Today we will cycle from Mount Mitchell to Mount Pisgah and the Mount Pisgah Campground, which offers up some incredible views and delicious food. Today's 51 mile route contains an extremely long descent, an extremely long climb and a whole lot of beautiful scenery to keep you inspired the entire time. A brief stop at the Folk Art Center will allow you an opportunity to admire and even purchase original pieces of art made by local artists. That evening we will enjoy a wonderful dinner at the Pisgah Inn across the street. | |||||||||
| Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner | |||||||||
| Mileage: 355.4 - 406.6 = 51.2 Miles | |||||||||
| Day 8 - 60 Rugged Miles to the End | |||||||||
| This is it, the final day, 62 rugged miles through some of the most beautiful scenery of the entire tour. After a full country breakfast we will cycle along the Pisgah ridge to the Great Balsam mountains, where we will pass over the highest point on the Parkway, and eventually finish with a 10 mile descent into the town of Cherokee near the Great Smoky Mountains. To celebrate everyone's accomplishment of finishing this challenging tour we will shuttle into the city of Asheville where we will enjoy a gourmet meal and a little champagne. | |||||||||
| Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner | |||||||||
| Mileage: 406.6 - 469 = 62.4 Miles | |||||||||
