Blue Ridge Parkway Bicycle Tour

Blue Ridge Parkway & Skyline Drive

Discover the beauty and history of the Appalachian mountains on this 575 mile bicycle tour along one of the most beautiful roads in the United States. 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 other natural treasure 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 warm fire with your fellow cycling companions. Watch the night sky light up with thousands of fire flies trying to attract a mate. 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.

Places of Interest

There are too many places of interest along Skyline Drive and the Blue Ridge Parkway to list them here, so I have add links to websites that will take you for a virtual tour along these beautiful roads.
Shenandoah National Park	Blue Ridge Parkway Official Site
BRP Virtual Visitor Center	Ultimate Parkway Travel Guide
Skyline Caverns	Grandfather Mountain

Accommodations

Night 1: Front Royal, VA	Night 2: Shenandoah National Park	Night 3: Charlottesville, VA
Hampton Inn	Big Meadow Lodge	Hampton Inn


Night 4: Lexington, VA	Night 5: Bedford, VA	Night 6: Roanoke, VA
Sheridan Livery Inn	Peaks of Otter Lodge	Hotel Roanoke


Night 7: Roanoke, VA	Night 8: Meadows of Dan, VA	Night 9: , NC
Hotel Roanoke	Rocky Knob Cabins
	No Picture Available

Night 10: Blowing Rock, NC	Night 11: Little Switzerland, NC	Night 12: Asheville, NC
Chetola Lodge	Switzerland Inn	Haywood Park Hotel


Night 13: Asheville, NC	Night 14: Brevard, NC	Night 15: Asheville, NC
Haywood Park Hotel	Holiday Inn Express	Haywood Park Hotel

Dates

August 16 - 30

Cost

Accommodations	Single Occupancy	Double Occupancy
15 Night Lodging	$3395	$2495
Deposit - $100 per person with the remainder due 60 days before the tour start date.

What's Included

15 Nights lodging

39 Meals - 13 breakfasts, 13 lunches and 13 dinners

Snacks all day long.

Entrance fee to Skyline Caverns

Entrance fee to Grandfather Mountain

One hour massage at the Asheville Center for Massage and Natural Health

Services of three 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

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1 - Asheville to Front Royal

We leave Asheville at noon in our shuttle van for an eight hour drive to the town of Front Royal, VA. After checking into the Hampton Inn we will head into town for a nice dinner before settling down for a good nights rest.

Meals: Dinner

Day 2 - The Journey Begins!

After breakfast we head to the famous Skyline Caverns for a tour of this spectacular cave system. Then our 575 mile cycling journey begins on the beautiful Skyline Drive. 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 rustic Big Meadows Lodge where we will enjoy a delicious dinner and fine nights rest. 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. Along the way we will stop for a short hike to the summit of Bearfence Mountain where we will enjoy 360-degree views of the surrounding mountains ranges. Tonight we will stay in Charlottesville, which is home to the University of Virginia.

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 a climb up to Raven's Roost where we will stop to admire the view of the Shenandoah Valley. Today's section is memorable for its wide, arcing switchbacks, which are visible for miles ahead. The countryside varies from rocky cliffs to forests of hickory and chestnut oak 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 649.4 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 - A Big Descent and a Big Climb

From the Peaks of Otter Lodge we get to enjoy a 35 mile section that is mostly downhill before the enduring climb up to Andey Gap where we will exit the Parkway. At the exit you have the option of either remaining on your bike for a long descent into the town of Roanoke or jump in the shuttle van for the 19 mile ride to the hotel. 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 with a 19 mile option into Roanoke

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. Your friendly guides will be happy to drive you anywhere you need to go with a modest distance from the hotel. To learn more about the attractions and restaurants of the Roanoke Valley - click here. Meals: None

Mileage = 0

Day 8 - Chateau Morrisette Winery

We shuttle back to Andey Gap where we exited the Parkway 2 days ago. Today's route consists of mostly rolling terrain between 2,500 and 3,500 feet in elevation. Just a few miles past Rocky Knob we will stop to tour the Chateau Morrisette Winery where we will learn about wine making, sample the wines and enjoy a delicious lunch. Tonight we will be staying in the Rocky Knob Cabins , where your guides will prepare for you a delicious meal as you marvel at the amazing views for the porch.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Milepost 135.9 - 174 = 38.1 miles

Day 9 - Hello North Carolina

This morning we will fill our bellies with buckwheat pancakes from the most photographed spot on the Parkway, Mabry Mills. After breakfast we will then tour the mill giving our breakfast time to digest. At milepost 216.9 we will cross into North Carolina. From here the route undergoes a subtle metamorphosis from farmland to mountain. 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 174 - 241.1 = 67.1

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 will 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.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Milepost 241.1 - 291.9 = 50.8 miles

Day 11 - A Visit to Grandfather

After breakfast we will cycle across the Linn Cove Viaduct, which was the last piece of the Parkway to be constructed. After crossing the viaduct we will take a side trip to Grandfather Mountain, which is protected as a natural habitat for black bear, deer, and other wildlife and is also home to the mile high swinging bridge. Our next big stop today is to view the majestic Linville Falls, which is located in the Linville Gorge also known as North Carolina's Grand Canyon. After viewing the falls we will continue cycling toward the town of Little Switzerland which is located right off the Parkway.

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 Rockies, Mount Mitchell (elev. 6,684 feet). At milepost 355.3 we will turn off the Parkway onto the 5 mile road that will bring us to the summit of this majestic mountain. At the top of the mountain you can learn about the unique high elevation environment by tour the natural history museum and then climb the observation tower for incredible views. 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 a beautiful area. After we leave Craggy Gardens we are in for some more downhill excitement. From here it is almost all downhill for 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, Lunch, Dinner

Milepost 0 = 0 miles

Day 14 - The Most Beautiful Section

Today we will travel 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. Side hikes today will bring us to Skinny Dip Falls where we can go for a swim and to the top of the Devil's Courthouse where you can view 3 states. We exit today at Beech Gap were you can enjoy a nice 18 mile descent into the town of Rosman or jump in the van for a shuttle to the hotel.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Milepost 382.0 - 423.2 = 41.2 miles with an 18 mile downhill option into Rosman.

Day 15 - The Finale

After the shuttle ride back to the Parkway we begin the final leg of the tour. From Beech Gap we climb some and descend some as we make our way over Richland Balsam, which is the highest point on the Parkway at 6,047 feet. After Richland Balsam there is just one more major climb up 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 up and then head out on the town for a celebration dinner and to toast our accomplishments and new friendships. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Milepost 423.2 - 469.1 = 45.9 miles